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        MAY THE ROAD RISE TO MEET YOU,
        MAY THE WIND BE ALWAYS AT YOUR BACK,
        MAY THE SUN SHINE WARM UPON YOUR FACE,
        THE RAINS FALL SOFT UPON YOUR FIELDS,
        AND UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN,
        MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND

         

        History of Saint Patrick

        Patron of Ireland  Feastday: March 17
        Much of Patrick’s life is shrouded in mystery.  
        Historians disagree on many dates and places in his life story

        St.. Patrick’s birthplace was probably Roman Britain - most likely Wales, but perhaps Scotland or France. Patrick was about sixteen years old when he was abducted and enslaved by Irish marauders, under their leader, Niall of the Nine Hostages. He worked as a shepherd on the slopes of Slemish Mountain in Country Antrim. During this time he prayed to the Christian God while captive in a pagan land.

        After six years an angel came to him in a dream, prompting him to escape and seek out his homeland. After traveling for more than 200 miles by foot, he was eventually given passage on a boat traveling across the Irish Sea. His first destination was Britain, but he soon settled in France.

        Patrick spent twenty years of his life as a monk in Marmoutier Abbey. There he again received a celestial visitation, this time calling him to return to the land where he has been enslaved, though now with a mission as a priest and converter. Patrick was called to Rome in 432 whereupon Pope Celestine bequeathed the honor of Bishop upon him before he left on his holy mission.

        Patrick and 24 of his followers arrived in Ireland in the winter of 432. In the Spring, Patrick decided to confront the high King of Tara, the most powerful King in Ireland. Patrick knew that if he had the King’s support he would be free to take God’s message to the people of Ireland.

        Patrick and his followers were invited to Tara by the King of Laoghaire. While he was there he plucked a shamrock from the ground and tried to explain the to the druids and the King that the shamrock had three leaves just like God had three personas - The Father, The Son and the Holy Ghost. This was called the Trinity.

        King Laoghaire was very impressed and chose to accept Christianity. He also gave Patrick the freedom to spread Christianity throughout Ireland.

         

        St. Patrick is also known to have driven the snakes out of Ireland. However, the snakes were at that time a symbol of Paganism, and it was the Pagans that were driven out.

        Patrick is thought to have died sometime between 463AB and 493AD. There is a dispute as to his place of burial; the site with the strongest claim seems to be Down Cathedral, where a large slab of rock on which the word Patric is inscribed protects ‘the grave’ of St Patrick.

        Veneration of Patrick gradually assumed the status of a local cult; he was not simply remembered in Saul and Downpatrick, he was worshiped. Indeed, homage to Patrick as Ireland’s saint was apparent in the eight century AD. At this time Patrick’s status of national apostle was made independently of Rome; he was claimed locally as a saint before the practice of canonization was introduced by the Vatican. 

        The veneration in which the Irish have held St Patrick is evidenced by the salutation, still common today, "May God, Mary and Patrick bless you".

         

        "The Lorica"
        A Prayer of St. Patrick

        I arise today
        Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
        Through a belief in the Threeness,
        Through confession of the Oneness
        Of the Creator of creation.

        I arise today
        Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,
        Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
        Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
        Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

        I arise today
        Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
        In obedience of angels,
        In service of archangels,
        In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
        In the prayers of patriarchs,
        In preachings of the apostles,
        In faiths of confessors,
        In innocence of virgins,
        In deeds of righteous men.

        I arise today
        Through the strength of heaven;
        Light of the sun,
        Splendor of fire,
        Speed of lightning,
        Swiftness of the wind,
        Depth of the sea,
        Stability of the earth,
        Firmness of the rock.

        I arise today
        Through God's strength to pilot me;
        God's might to uphold me,
        God's wisdom to guide me,
        God's eye to look before me,
        God's ear to hear me,
        God's word to speak for me,
        God's hand to guard me,
        God's way to lie before me,
        God's shield to protect me,
        God's hosts to save me
        From snares of the devil,
        From temptations of vices,
        From every one who desires me ill,
        Afar and anear,
        Alone or in a multitude.

        I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
        Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
        Against incantations of false prophets,
        Against black laws of pagandom,
        Against false laws of heretics,
        Against craft of idolatry,
        Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
        Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
        Christ shield me today
        Against poison, against burning,
        Against drowning, against wounding,
        So that reward may come to me in abundance.

        Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
        Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
        Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
        Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
        Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
        Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
        Christ in the eye that sees me,
        Christ in the ear that hears me.

        I arise today
        Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
        Through a belief in the Threeness,
        Through a confession of the Oneness
        Of the Creator of creation.


        St. Patrick (ca. 377)

         

         

        Did you know?
        The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place not in Ireland, but in the United States. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers to reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as fellow Irishmen serving in the English army. Suddenly, annual St. Patrick's Day parades became a show of strength for Irish Americans, as well as a must-attend event for a slew of political candidates. In 1948, President Truman attended New York City 's St. Patrick's Day parade, a proud moment for the many Irish whose ancestors had to fight stereotypes and racial prejudice to find acceptance in America.

         

         

        Green is associated with Saint Patrick's Day because it is the color of spring, Ireland, and the shamrock.

         

        Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow of a tree,
        Live mysterical, magical leprechauns who are clever as can be.
        With their pointed ears and turned up toes and little coats of green.
        The Leprechauns busily make their shoes and try hard not to be seen.
        Only those who really believe have seen these little elves.
        And if we are all Believers, We can surely see for ourselves.

        ~An Irish Blessing~

        Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter,
        Lullabies, dreams and Love ever after,
        Poems and songs with pipes and drums,
        A thousand welcomes when anyone comes,
        That's the Irish for you.

        ~An Irish Blessing~

         

        May those who love us, love us. 
        And those who don't love us, 
        May God turn their hearts; 
        And if He doesn't turn their hearts, 
        May He turn their ankles, 
        So we will know them by their limping

        ~An Irish Blessing~

         

        Four corners to her bed 
        Four angels at her head 
        Mark, Matthew, Luke and John; 
        God bless the bed that she lies on. 
        New moon, new moon, God bless me 
        God bless this house and family.

        ~An Irish Blessing~

        •  

        Did you know every leprechaun hides his gold at the end of a rainbow ( a multi-color spray of light. This spectrum consists of seven colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet). This multicolored arc of light always appears opposite to the location of the sun and often after a morning or mid-day rain. Have you looked for the Leprechauns gold?

        What is Good Luck for St. Patrick's Day?

        Finding a four-leaf clover (that's double the good luck it usually is).

        Wearing green. (School children have started a little tradition of their own -- they pinch classmates who don't wear green on this holiday).

        Kissing the blarney stone.


        Blarney Stone

        Blarney stone The Blarney Stone is a stone set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in the Irish village of Blarney. Kissing the stone is supposed to bring the kisser the gift of persuasive eloquence. 

        The legend says that an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone while under the spell gave the king the ability to speak sweetly and convincingly. 

        It's difficult reach the stone. Kissers have to lie on their back and bend backward or downward, holding iron bars for support.

         

        Irish Coffee

        1 shot Irish Whiskey 1 tbsp Sugar 6 oz. Coffee Whipped Cream for garnish

        Pre-warm a stemmed glass. Add the whiskey. Add the sugar and stir in the coffee. Float the whipped cream on top. Drink the coffee through the cream. Do not stir after adding the cream.

        LINKS

        Send a St. Patrick Day Card
        Awesome St. Patrick's Day Cards

        Free St. Patrick Day Cards

        The Confession of St. Patrick

         

        Hit Counter Irish dropped by.. :o)

         

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