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As I sit at the computer and work on my
article for the March Wayne Witness, it’s hard to imagine the first
signs of spring and the warmth that we often get to taste in March. At
the moment, I’m looking out at the snow falling and every time I open
the door to let the doggies outside, the bitter cold air makes me
realize we are still very much in winter.
But it’s true, March
will be here before we know it, and this March is filled with holidays.
St. Patrick’s Day, and then the holy days of Palm Sunday, Holy (or
Maundy) Thursday, Good Friday and Easter.
Having been raised on
the east coast in a small community filled with Irish Catholics, St.
Patrick’s Day was always a big holiday for us. The school would fill
with green clothing on that day. Those of us with any Irish blood, who
were NOT Catholic, would proudly wear orange that day, the color of the
Irish Protestants.
But I never really
knew who St. Patrick was or why we celebrated his life, until I did some
research on the subject. The internet is a great tool for this! Here’s
what I discovered…
Saint Patrick was
born near the end of the fourth century in Britain and was actually
named Maewyn Succat. When he was 16, he was kidnapped by pirates and
sold into slavery in Ireland. He eventually escaped to another part of
Ireland, began to study in a monastery and changed his name to Patrick
(a Christian name). He came to believe that it was his calling to
convert the “pagans” of Ireland to Christianity. He traveled throughout
Ireland setting up schools, churches and monasteries to help convert the
country to Christianity. He used the shamrock, which resembles a 3 leaf
clover, to help explain the concept of the Trinity (God the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit) to people. Legend also has it that Saint
Patrick drove all the snakes in Ireland out of the country and they
drowned in the sea. The snake was seen as a pagan symbol, and many
believe this is a figurative tale explaining how he drove paganism out
of Ireland.
His mission in
Ireland lasted for 30 years after which he retired to County Down and
died on March 17 in 461 AD.
The first St.
Patrick’s Day was celebrated in this country in 1737 and was first
celebrated in Boston. Today over 100 cities hold St. Patrick’s Day
parades!
I wonder if most
people realize that this day of merriment and beer drinking actually
celebrates one who was such a powerful force for God and the spread of
Christianity? Probably not…but now you do! Who are the ones who have
been raised up in our day to touch our world for Christ? I believe each
of us are given opportunities to share our faith as we journey through
this life together. Maybe you will make the difference in someone’s
life and faith. Our call as a church and as individuals is to connect
with people, and then help them connect with God through Jesus Christ.
May God bless us and guide us to see the opportunities we are given. †
Blessings,
Rev. Betty
Wineland |
