Top Of The Morning To You

**Darlene** · 03-17-2004, 06:23 AM

Happy St. Patricks Day!

**Dixie** · 03-17-2004, 06:40 AM

Happy St. Patrick's Day, to you, Darlene!

**dz_blonde_girl** · 03-17-2004, 06:59 AM

Happy St Patty's Day!

**SusieJD** · 03-17-2004, 07:01 AM

Happy St. Pat's Day Everyone!

Customs and Traditions

The person who was to become St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Wales about AD 385. His given name was Maewyn, and he almost didn't get the job of bishop of Ireland because he lacked the required scholarship. Far from being a saint, until he was 16, he considered himself a pagan. At that age, he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders that raided his village. During his captivity, he became closer to God. He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre for a period of twelve years. During his training he became aware that his calling was to convert the pagans to Christianity. His wishes were to return to Ireland, to convert the native pagans to Christianity. But his superiors instead appointed St. Palladius. But two years later, Palladius transferred to Scotland. Patrick, having adopted that Christian name earlier, was then appointed as second bishop to Ireland. Patrick was quite successful at winning converts. And this fact upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion of the Irish country to Christianity. His mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. After that time, Patrick retired to County Down. He died on March 17 in AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since. Much Irish folklore surrounds St. Patrick's Day. Not much of it is actually substantiated. Some of this lore includes the belief that Patrick raised people from the dead. He also is said to have given a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the snakes from Ireland. Of course, no snakes were ever native to Ireland, and some people think this is a metaphor for the conversion of the pagans. Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday. One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. And this stems from a more bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day. The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737. That was the first year St. Patrick's Day was publicly celebrated in this country, in Boston.

Susie in MN

**Julia Kimber** · 03-17-2004, 07:06 AM

That's very interesting Susie, thanks!
Happy St Patrick's Day to you and everyone!
Julia

**Ellise** · 03-17-2004, 07:25 AM

Happy St. Patty's Day!

**SewCrafty** · 03-17-2004, 07:25 AM

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

**simplemom** · 03-17-2004, 07:43 AM

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!!!!!!!

**simplemom** · 03-17-2004, 07:45 AM

And here's for you all!

**Jayne** · 03-17-2004, 08:19 AM

Happy St. Patty's Day everyone

!!!!!!

**paelthom** · 03-17-2004, 08:23 AM

Happy St. Pat's Day all. If you don't have on green, consider yourself pinched. I have on green pants (kinda sage green but that counts).

**Guest1** · 03-17-2004, 10:54 AM

Hello, Hello, Top o' the mornin' to ya all!! (ahem - sounds a little "Babe"-ish!!)

Here's one for those of us who love potatoes, hate snakes, and think Saint Patrick totally rocks!! Those of us who might have graduated from "Blarney Tech" - school of eloquence, wit, & wisdom!! We would also be the group that can spot a good green beer a mile away!!

And one for those of you who would like to fit the aforementioned bill but perhaps lack the DNA necessary to actually fall into the category.....

And for those of you who may not be feeling quite so Irish at all....

Have a wonderful St. Pattie's Day everyone!!

**guest2** · 03-17-2004, 11:02 AM

Happy St. Patty's Day to you all! I'm Irish by marriage!

Hope you all have a wonderful day and that lots of green comes your way!!!

**Katybird** · 03-17-2004, 11:19 AM

Happy St Patrick's Day to all! I am of an Irish heritage and I really enjoy celebrating the green. I am definately in Debbie's first group. I would celebrate good old St. Patrick even if I weren't Irish though because anyone who could run all the snakes out of a country is my kind of guy! LOL.