The Name, Date, Color and Shape of Saint Patrick

March is the month we pull out the green, shamrocks and rainbows with pots of gold; spring our clocks forward (March 13) and welcome Spring (March 20); and celebrate that little holiday called St. Patrick’s Day (March 17).

My husband, Mr. Rauth, requested a traditional St. Patrick’s Day dinner this year (corned beef and cabbage, you know). With that simple request, I realized I knew very little about the holiday beyond the pinching, shamrock-shaped sugar cookies, green beer, leprechauns and rainbows, and Irish blessings. St. Patrick’s Day is indeed a public holiday in several countries; a time to celebrate Ireland’s roots and culture. As Catholics, it is our responsibility to teach our families the history of Saint Patrick and why there is a date, a color and a shape associated with him.

Saint Patrick :: The Name & Date

Internationally, St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17, the date of Saint Patrick’s death. The holiday was named after Saint Patrick and originated in the Catholic Church. Sometime in the 17^th Century, it was made a feast day. Secularized in today’s society, the holiday is a celebration of Irish culture. However, it is also a commemoration of Saint Patrick’s steadfast work throughout Ireland and unwavering faith in God’s call upon his life: to share the good news of the Gospel to the people of Ireland.

Saint Patrick :: Who is he?

Saint Patrick (given name: Maewyn Succat) was born into a wealthy Roman Britain family in the 4^th Century. He was captured by pagan Irish raiders and sold into slavery at the age of 16. During his six years of slavery in Ireland, tending his master’s sheep, Saint Patrick was exposed to the sinful ways of the pagans. It was during his time alone that his spirituality was awakened and he came to believe in God and trust him as his Lord and Savior. He followed God’s calling and returned to his homeland, spending 18 years deepening his relationship with the Lord, spending time at St. Martin’s monastry at Tours and studying under a bishop named Saint Germain. Eventually, Saint Patrick was promoted to priesthood and later sent back to Ireland to share the Gospel with the pagans. In 432, Pope Celestine made him a Bishop before he embarked on his mission to Ireland. It was then that the name “Patricius” was given to him. The name originated from two Latin words: “pater civium,” meaning “the father of his people.” Today, he is known as Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland.

Saint Patrick spent the next 28 years traveling the countryside of Ireland, preaching the message of Jesus Christ, confronting idolatry and sorcery, converting druids from paganism to Christianity and baptizing new converts, starting over 300 Christian churches, training missionaries, serving the poor and speaking out against slavery. He was brave, steadfast and generous. With God as his constant companion, Saint Patrick overcame the numerous trials during his years of service – he knew he was never alone. By spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he inspired an entire generation to live their lives for Christ. By the grace of our Lord, Saint Patrick set free the land that once enslaved him, converting almost the entire island population of Ireland to Christianity.

Saint Patrick :: The Color & Shape

Tradition holds that Saint Patrick used the green, three-leaf Irish clover to teach the Holy Trinity – the unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Also known as a shamrock, the green, three-leaf clover is the national flower of Ireland. Today, the shamrock and the color green are universal symbols for St. Patrick’s Day.

Our Challenge

Throughout the month of March, use the daily green reminders all around – the grass, holiday decorations, vegetables and sweet treats – as an opportunity to teach our children (and remind ourselves) that we are all called to go forth and share the good news of the Gospel.

Throughout March, I am posting activities and recipes that I’m using to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and remind my family that God calls us to share His Truth with the world. Pour a cup of tea (or coffee) and stop by Grey Umbrella sometime!

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Christi catches life’s littlest moments and greatest joys at Grey Umbrella (www.greyumbrella.com). Among those: family, friends, home, God’s blessings, contagious laughter, home-cooked meals, honest conversation and hands-on creativity. Curl up in a quilt, pour a cup of tea and celebrate life’s littlest moments!