The Man Behind The Tradition

Today is an important celebration in the country and culture of the Irish as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. People wear green, enjoy parties and festivals, hunt for shamrocks and search for good luck. But where did this festival come from and who was St. Patrick?

Despite the fact that I learned today over at HackALife that the official color of St. Patrick is actually blue, who St. Patrick actually was is a bit of a myth. However, it is apparent that a man named Patrick lived and began or caused some amazing things to happen in the country and culture of Ireland. There are two Latin letters that are generally accepted to have been written by a man named Patrick in Ireland around the late 5th or early 6th century. According to writings attributed to him, he apparently was a foreigner who was captured and sold into slavery in Ireland when he was 16 years of age. After six years in captivity he escaped and was returned home to his family.

After returning home, however, he describes having a vision in which the people of Ireland asked him to return and to ‘walk among us’. Patrick returned with a mission to share his faith as a Christian. He apparently baptized thousands and changed the cultural and religious structures of Ireland, through his mission work and his example and life. I think it is remarkable to note that he returned to a people where he worked as a slave, to bring a message that he believed was important for all to hear.

St. Patrick shaped the culture and religious life of the nation of Ireland because of his commitment and belief in what he was sent to do. It is worthy to note that through his concentration and devotion to his cause that he and others shaped and molded a whole nation and their beliefs. While St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in many different ways and with different thoughts and purposes, the reality and basis for this celebration finds its roots in a man who was willing to give everything he had for a vision that he believed in with his entire being.

My hope in life is to live with a similar passion and focus on the mission and purpose for which I have been sent to this earth. Happy St. Patty’s Day…