"I cannot keep silent. . .so many favors and graces has the Lord deigned to bestow on me in the land of my captivity [Ireland, the first time around]. For after chastisement from God. . .our way is to exalt Him and confess His wonders before every nation under heaven. . .I am imperfect in many things; nevertheless, I want my brethren and kinsfolk to know my nature so that they may perceive my soul's desire." ---The Confessions of St. Patrick (died March 17, A.D. 461)
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4 comments:
What a powerful statement. Some how this doesn't sound like someone whose life should be celebrated by drinking pitchers of green beer.
Patrick, while raised Christian, never gave it much of a second thought until he was kidnapped FROM England BY Irish pirates when he was 16. He was forced to be a shepherd, but after he got away, he voluntarily studied for the priesthood in France & willingly went back to share the Good News of Jesus with the Irish. Of course, being Lutheran, it's okay on our part to have a beer or even two (even green ones), but the outrageous bacchnalia's surrounding what started out as religious observations (i.e. Mardi Gras) could be tamped down in favor of a couple drinks, some good food, and some robust but still pious reflections on what the full meaning of the day is.
I'm not of the tee-totaling persuasion myself, but I live in a university community where the students (mostly Chicagoans, who are used to the Chicago river being dyed green for St. Patrick's Day) go NUTS on what they call Unofficial St. Patrick's Day, since the official one always falls during their spring break. I guess having just lived through that was the impetus for my thoughts. Actually, the priests at the Newman foundation on campus always try to tell the students they should celebrate St. Patrick a different way, and the more devout Catholic kids are the ones who are trying to be a calming influence on the event.
Yeah, I was stationed about 50 miles from Savannah, GA, when I was in the Army. Savannah used to get crazy for St. Pat's, and, of course, some of the soldiers (esp. rangers) added to it.
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