Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The majority of people think of today’s holiday as a drinking fest. I am guilty as all for enjoying a few too many green beers on March 17th, but it is also important to recognize the real reason for this day, just like we should for Easter and Christmas and so on.

So in honor of the real reason for the celebration, here’s a little background on the real St. Patrick:

When he was a boy, he was taken as a slave from Scotland to Ireland. During his captivity he continually turned to God for help, and he answered him. When he was 20 years old, God told him in a dream to go to the coast in order to leave Ireland. He did so and was taken aboard a ship and back to his family. He started studying to be a priest and then became a bishop and was sent to take his faith to Ireland. Patrick began teaching and converting the land of Ireland and building many churches along the way. On this day in 461, he died after a life of true devotion. The shamrock is related to him because he used the three-leafed plant to explain the Holy Trinity.

Today, I hope you enjoyed a beer or two… or too many, but I hope you also take a moment to reflect on why this is considered a holiday to begin with. St. Patrick traveled around Ireland for 40 years, living in poverty and teaching so many that emerald Isle is now known for its abundant Catholic faith.

In conclusion, I’ll leave you with some old Irish blessings:

May love and laughter light your ways
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to your and yours.

May God give you…
for every storm, a rainbow
for every tear, a smile
for every care, a promise
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share.
For every sigh, a sweet song,
and an answer for each prayer.

Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers.
Miles and miles of irish smiles
for happy golden hours.
Shamrocks at your doorway
for luck and laughter, too.
And a host of friends that never ends
each day your whole life through.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.