Introducing The Real Patrick of Saint Patrick's Day

Tomorrow is Saint Patrick's Day. It's a day that's been celebrated since the 1600s. This is a day traditionally reserved for waving the flag of Ireland, wearing green clothing, putting on silly clothes and partaking in vast amounts of adult beverages. There are parades, street celebrations and bars all over the country are filled to capacity. It is a day designated to celebrate Ireland and the Irish. Few people seem to know, understand or even care that Saint Patrick was an actual person.

“Woohoo Happy Saint Patrick's Day”
Chug, chug, chug green beer.
“Did you know that Saint Patrick was an actual person?”
“Cool, I bet he liked Guinness. Dude from Ireland must have liked Guinness.”
“He wasn't actually born in Ireland.”
“Huh, then what's all this stuff about Ireland? I mean, why am I wearing green underwear, dyed my hair green and have the flag of Ireland painted on my cheek.”
“Does it really matter to you?”
“Not really. Woohoo Happy Saint Patrick's Day. An actual person who came from Dubuque, Iowa and drank Guinness.”
Chug, chug, chug a lot of green beer
“I never said said he drank Guinness and was from Dubuque, Iowa.”
“Whatever, whoohoo Happy Saint Patrick's Day.”

Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461).
The person known as St. Patrick was born in Britain during the year 385 AD. He had wealthy parents. His father was a Christian deacon. When Patrick was 16, a group of Irish raiders attacked his family's estate. The raiders took Patrick back to Ireland with them. During the next six years, he was a prisoner. Patrick was forced to work as a shepherd. He was afraid and alone. Patrick turned to his religion to help him through this difficult time. He became a devout Christian. It was during this time Patrick dreamed of converting the Irish people to Christianity. I bet he also decided against a career as a shepherd.

Escape
According to a writing left by Patrick, he decided to escape when a voice spoke to him in a dream. The voice told Patrick it was time to leave Ireland. Patrick believed the voice to be God's. Patrick walked hundreds of miles to the Irish coast. Once he made it back to Britain, Patrick had another revelation. He said an angel in a dream told him to go back to Ireland as a missionary. Nobody knows if he said “Will you deities make up your mind. Britain, Ireland, pick one.”

Missionary
After his latest dream, Patrick started religious training. It lasted over 15 years. I bet he didn't take any courses about being a shepherd. When Patrick was ordained as a priest he went back to Ireland. His mission was to minister to Christians who were living in Ireland and convert the Irish to Christianity.

Bonfires and Crosses
Patrick attracted the Irish by incorporating their rituals. He utilized bonfires during the celebration of Easter. The Irish traditionally honored their gods with fire. He also superimposed a sun symbol onto the Christian cross. The sun was a powerful Irish symbol. The new cross was called a Celtic cross.

Green
The color green as been part of Ireland since the middle 1600s. The flag with a green harp was used by an organization called the Irish Catholic Confederation. Shamrocks and green ribbons started being worn on St. Patrick's day in the 1680s. They are a common site when St. Patrick's Day is celebrated.

Ministry
Patrick built a church in Ireland during 432 A.D. It stood on the site where St. Patrick's Memorial Church now stands. It is considered the first Christian church in Ireland. Patrick worked at his ministry for over 28 years. He is credited with baptizing over 120,000 people in Ireland and starting hundred of churches. It is believed Patrick died on March 17, 461. Nobody is certain exactly where St. Patrick is buried.  I think we can all agree this was one very busy man.

Banishment of Snakes
It is a popular myth that St. Patrick banished all the snakes from Ireland into the sea. It seems they attacked him during a 40 day fast. According to National Geographic, at no time has there been snakes in Ireland. I have a theory. After not eating for 40 days, I bet the snakes saw the look in the hungry man's eyes and made for the sea to avoid being made a meal.  I'm just saying.

Conclusion
It appears that celebrating St. Patrick's day with drinking a lot of alcohol was not the original intent. I don't think it matters. I don't think most people care. Spending the day as a shepherd to remember St. Patrick will never become popular. Unless it consists of drinking green beer from glasses in the shape of sheep.  When you see it next year don't forget where you read about it here first.

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