Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick - the man
Saint Patrick is the missionary who played the dominant role in converting
Ireland to Christianity. There are many legends about his life, as with the
other patron saints of Scotland, England and Wales. But very little is known
about the man that can be taken as historical fact.
It is known that he was originally from Britain, and from a wealthy family
during the last years of Roman rule in Britain, at the end of the 4th century.
As a teenager, he was captured by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland where he
worked as a slave. It was during this time that, it appears, he decided to
dedicate his life to God.
When after around 6 years he escaped, he left Ireland and trained to be a
priest, probably in Gaul (modern day France). He returned to Ireland,
where he successfully converted many of the Irish to Christianity, and founded
churches, monasteries and schools. He died, it is believed, in 460 AD.
St Patrick's mission is historically important not just for Ireland, but for
the whole of western Europe. After the fall of the Roman Empire
non-Christian tribes swept in to take over. In Britain, Christianity almost
disappeared. Irish monks and scholars preserved Celtic Christianity, and soon
launched missions to begin the process of re-converting the British to
Christianity.
St Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day - March 17 - has come to be associated with
everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck. Most importantly,
to those who celebrate its intended meaning, St. Patrick's Day is a traditional
day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide.
So, why is it celebrated on March 17th? One theory is that that is the day
that St. Patrick died. Since the holiday began in Ireland, it is believed that
as the Irish emigrated around the world, they took with them their history and
celebrations. The biggest observance of all is, of course, in Ireland. With the
exception of restaurants and pubs, almost all businesses close on March 17th.
Being a religious holiday as well, many Irish attend mass, where March 17th is
the traditional day for offering prayers for missionaries worldwide before the
serious celebrating begins.
In American cities with a large Irish population, St. Patrick's Day is a very
big occasion. Big cities and small towns alike celebrate with parades, "wearing
of the green," music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids
such as crafts, colouring and games. Some communities even go so far as to dye
rivers or streams green!
Recipe:
Irish soda bread
You will need:
- 574g/ 4 cups (1.25 lbs. plain flour sieved)
- 1/2 teaspoon bread soda
- 15 fl oz (1/2 to 3/4 pt buttermilk) or sour milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- Small drop of fresh milk
- 1 rounded teaspoon cream of tartar (raising agent)
- 25g/loz. sugar
1. Heat the pot/oven and grease with a little lard.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients in a basin and make a well in the centre.
3. Pour in nearly all the milk and egg; gather in the flour and mix to a
loose dough, adding more milk if necessary.
4. With floured hands, knead lightly on a floured board or table and flatten
out. Cut a cross on top.
5. Place dough in pot/oven; cover with heated lid.
Alternatively bake in a greased round pyrex dish with lid, pre-heat oven
(4250F, 2200C or gas 7 for 40 minutes).
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The cross of St Patrick
St Patrick is also credited with originating the Celtic cross, which
incorporates a circle - possibly representing the sun.
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