Shamrocks. Luck. A touch of green and a raised glass. Today, these may be the hallmarks of a beloved holiday, whether or not you’re Irish. But the story of St. Patrick himself is largely shrouded in mystery.
We know that the patron saint of Ireland was not born in Ireland, but in Britain, and that he lived in captivity for many years on the Emerald Isle, where he worked as a shepherd and found his way to religion. We know that after he escaped back to Britain and began his formal Christian training, he returned to Ireland to offer his services — both to those who already believed, and to convert those who didn’t.
Rather than impose religion from the outside, St. Patrick chose to build on traditional beliefs. Thus, the Celtic cross was born, a combination of the Christian cross with the all-important Irish symbol of the sun.
Perhaps because we have such scant details of his life, St. Patrick’s history seems to invite story. Legend has it that he banished snakes from Ireland, though scholars doubt there were ever any snakes to begin with. Some say that during the baptism of King Aengus at the Rock of Cashel, St. Patrick accidentally drove the spike of his crozier through the King’s foot. While we may never know for certain, any figure that beckons such storytelling is well worth celebrating.
In support of cultural preservation – in Ireland and everywhere – enjoy this happiness code on us. |
