Why do millions celebrate St. Patrick's Day? It is not just a day for the "Wearing of the Green. the Shamrock, Irish stew and soda bread, St. Pat's parties. St. Patrick's Day is a day to celebrate the Catholic faith that this Apostle of Ireland helped to spread throughout the world.
Born in the Roman colony of Britain, Patrick was captured as a teenager and carried off as a slave to Ireland, a land of Druids and pagans. While herding sheep, Patrick turned to God in prayer and later wrote: "More and more my love of God and reverence for him began to increase. My faith grew stronger and my zeal so intense that in the course of a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers-- even when I was in the woods and on the mountains -- even in times of snow or frost or rain I would rise before dawn to pray." In a dream, God led him to escape captivity by going to the coast where a boat would take him back to Britain. Years later, Patrick had another dream of the people of Ireland calling to him, "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more."
Patrick studied for the priesthood and after ordination as a bishop was sent back to Ireland about 433. Zealously, despite great opposition from pagan Druids, Patrick traveled all over the country of Ireland, preaching the Good News of Christ. He converted entire kingdoms to Christianity, founded churches, religious orders, and seminaries. After years of poverty and suffering, Patrick died at Saul, Downpatrick, in 461.
St. Patrick was most devoted to the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity. He used the shamrock to explain that there is only One God. In Him there are three Divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Patrick's deep faith, humble prayer, and great love for God was a shining example to all the Irish. Once converted, Irish missionaries zealously traveled all over the world to spread the Good News of Christ, our Savior.
ST. PATRICK, PRAY FOR US TO IMITATE YOUR LOVE FOR GOD AND YOUR ZEAL FOR SOULS.
PRAYER OF ST. PATRICK
May the Strength of God guide me today and may His Power preserve me. May the Wisdom of God instruct me. May the Ear of God hear me. May the Word of God give sweetness to my speech, the Hand of God defend me, and may I follow the Way of God. Amen.
Source: St. Regis Mission, Parish bulletin, March 15th