Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!

gloriajean · ‎03-10-2010

The Story of St. Patrick
St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints.
Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461.
Along with St. Nicholas and St. Valentine, the secular world shares our love of these saints.
There are many legends and stories of St. Patrick, but this is his story. ...
Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies.
As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.
During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote
"The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same." "I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."
Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britian, where he reunited with his family.
He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more."
He began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years.
Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick.
Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message.
Patrick by now had many disciples, among them Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac, (all later canonized as well).
Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.
He died at Saul, where he had built the first church.

gloriajean · ‎03-10-2010

Do you do anything special for this day?

scotttie · ‎03-09-2010

Thanks for posting this gloriajean. I enjoyed reading it.

I don't think we are doing anything special today. Just another day here for the most part. Although I might be ordering something from the Irish shows on QVC if I find something I can't live without.

SeaGal · ‎03-09-2010

I found it!

What an inspiring story isnt it! Yikes and we think it can be dark around here, could you imagine living in a place of mainly pregans and druids! One thing that isnt often mentioned in these stories is he was not born with the name Patrick, he was never called Patrick, he was born Maewyn Succa and didnt adopt the name Patrick until he became a priest. He must have felt very much at Peace when he passed on in the place he built his first church. Good story, thank you for sharing!

I went to the store Friday and got a corned beef brisket, I had planned on a trip to Fred Meyer to get my potatoes, carrots and cabbage for our annual boiled dinner. I havent made it to Freddys yet so I am going to bake it instead with a brown sugar topping, and serve wild rice and asperagus with it. I am a wee bit Irish and I look forward to some form of corned beef each year. I usually get a couple and freeze them but the price is high on them this year darnit. My mouth is watering, I cant wait for dinner!

I have pastashio pudding for hubby's dessert!! Smile