Top 'O the Mornin'

For those of us who wonder what the hoopla is about St. Patrick's Day, it honors St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. We celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17th. Americans march in parades, dance the Irish jig, drink green beer, and gather to sing Irish songs. People wear green in memory of Ireland, the Emerald Isle, and wear shamrocks which is a clover with three leaves. When preaching the Word of God, Saint Patrick used the three leafs of a shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity: Three parts, yet one entity - The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit.

St. Patrick was born in Wales, studied religion to become a priest and then went to Ireland to teach the people about God. There are many wonderful stories about St. Patrick, some true and some not true. The most famous legend is that he drove the snakes out of Ireland. This did not happen, but the Irish will tell you that you cannot find a snake throughout the whole country of Ireland.

March 17th was not the day St. Patrick was born but the day he died. Even though we don't know the date of his birth, most scholars believe the year was 385 AD and the year of his death was 461 AD.


An Irish Blessing

May those who love us, love us;
And for those who don't love us,
May God turn their hearts;
And if He can't turn their hearts,
May He turn their ankles,
So we will know them by their limping!