He was not all about Shamrocks and Green Beer! He was seen -and is still- by many as a savior to the Irish people. At least in the general sense of the word. He does not save people from their sins. But he saved people from following the misguidance of their times. He made changes to himself and then brought those changes to his people. For this alone, he deserves some remembrance.
St. Patrick’s day was named after the real person who was a saint in Catholicism.
It is celebrated on March 17 in most cultures. In the year 387, in the county of Kilpatrick, Scotland, there was an apostle of Jesus born. He lived a long life until the year 461 when he died.
Actually that date is an approximation, Nobody knows his exact birth date, but that is the best guess. He was born to British Romans named Calpurnius and Conchessa.
He was fluent in the druid and pagan language and culture as he had to learn this information to survive the vicious kidnapping when he was sixteen years old. During that event, he became forced to do sheep tending and herding. Ireland had been controlled by pagans and druids at that time.
But God was his refuge during those tough times. He prayed and made this in his autobiography:
“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.”
His captivity did not last forever.
When he was saved by some British soldiers on the coast and taken to his family in Britain at the age of twenty. This event happened after he had a revelation from God in a dream.
He had another revelation to study the priesthood, after which he did study Catholicism and became a priest. His priesthood was very well known and successful at converting the Irish people and bringing Christianity to Ireland. He converted thousands and built many churches. Even royalty was convinced to convert after hearing his message.
He lived a modest life but gave what he could to the spread of the message of God for forty years. And he died in Saul.
Today western people celebrate this holy saint by the frivolous debauchery of dressing and green and drinking to extremes. But it used to be a holy day where people would go to church and revere this man who changes people. He deserves the honor and respect of being remembered in a decent way. He brought civil laws and structures to the world and not alcohol and parties. Celebrate today the decent way to remember how the world was blessed by this saintly man. Before one drinks to extremes, think, ‘What would St. Patrick say?’. Then do as one wants. Peace and blessings.
