Essays and Such
Irish Cultural Society
of San Antonio Texas
Promoting Awareness of Irish Culture
An Saint Patrick's Day
by UNK
Real Reason For Celebrating Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick 2
The Real Reason For Celebrating Saint Patrick's Day
The Real Reason For Celebrating Saint Patrick's Day Underneath the gaiety of Saint Patrick's Day, there lies the commemoration of a great religious figure, a man whose name in Latin was Patricius, or Patrick in its Irish version. America celebrates March 17 as a festive occasion, featuring shamrocks, leprechauns, wearing of the green, parades and even green beer. On that day, everyone can be Irish and join in the merriment. Patrick was the Father of Celtic Christianity. Some historians believe he saved Christianity from destroying itself. His life was filled with fabulous adventure. In his teen years, he was kidnapped from his home in Vales and taken to Ireland. He was enslaved and labored as a shepherd. Six years later he escaped to France, received a superior education and became a priest. He returned in 432AD and remained Ireland's Bishop until his death on March 17, 461 AD. His entry into the pagan environment of Eire made him the first Christian missionary who traveled outside the influence of the Roman Empire. He set the standard for what became known as evangelism. This amazing individual lived in the time period when lack of stability characterized Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. The organized Church centered in Rome and Constantinople came near to destruction. Ireland's remoteness kept it from being affected by this turmoil. The Celtic homeland was isolated enough to be completely heathen with beliefs and practices called Druidism. Patrick's success in converting this pagan community to Christianity set the standard for what eventually became known as evangelism. Patrick successfully integrated selected pagan practices with Christian concepts. Under his persuasive leadership, Irish Cells accepted Christianity without being forced to totally abandon the ideas they had held for centuries. One marvelous example came from the Druid worship of the sun, symbolized by a circle. Patrick came up with the idea of joining the Circle with the cross and that allowed the new converts to accept the Celtic cross as the symbol of their own personal form of Christianity. Various legends have been linked with Patrick A prominent one involves the shamrock. This flower was the sign of Brigit an ancient Druid triple goddess. With ingenious subtlety, Patrick used the shamrock's three petals as the means of getting the Celts to understand and accept the concept of the Trinity - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The mischievous deliverers of Good Luck, the Leprechauns, became the emblem of Saint Patrick Day festivals. The most prominent yam, and probably the most questionable, is the assertion that Patrick rid the Emerald Isle of snakes by leading them all into the sea - evidence indicates there may have never been any snakes in Ireland. While the rest of the civilized world was falling into darkness, Patrick and his followers kept alive the light of truth and knowledge. He educated monks, nuns and everyday Irish folk, and turned a backward pagan society into the finest Christian community of its time. Monasteries, convents and colleges and village schools built in his lifetime were dedicated to preserving the wisdom and knowledge that had accumulated over the ages. Some of them still exist. The legacy Patrick left behind is where the real importance of his work can be found. The civilized world went astray during his lifetime, and his contribution may have been the strongest element in saving it. The Roman Empire disappeared. Corruption, war, distortion and chaos were everywhere. Christianity divided itself into competing factions. Evil forces were driving toward blind obedience and ignorance for all but an elite few. The people of the world seemed to be moving backward and needed help in finding a way to return to progress. They found it in Saint Patrick and his followers. A 20th century bestseller book by Thomas Cahill skillfully narrates the story of Patrick's role. The title, "How the Irish Saved Western Civilization," might be a bit of an exaggeration, but the book does reflect a basic truth. Ireland's remoteness kept it apart from the negative influences that led Europe into the Dark Ages. While manuscripts and libraries were being destroyed in the rest of the world, Irish monks committed themselves to preserving both pagan and Christian records of civilization. Ireland was in every sense an island of learning and wisdom. The contribution of Irish monks and scribes may well have been the most important factor in the transition of Christianity from darkness to light Sound principles reappeared, but it took a few centuries. When Roman Catholicism reestablished itself and the Protestant Reformation came to pass, European culture and practices of the Christian Church took on a decidedly Irish perspective. Bits and pieces of Saint Patrick's legacy can be found in contemporary religions. March 17 can and should be a day of gaiety and fun, but it should also be the remembrance of a man who helped everybody. The world is better because he passed by.