" St. Patrick's day ... "

In the dark on the phone 

You tell me the names of your brothers 

And your favorite colors 

I'm learning you  ...

Everybody it seems to me that 

Just like to be 

Just like you and me ...

If our always is all that we gave 

And we someday take that away 

I'll be alright if it was just 'til St. Patrick's day

~ John Mayer ~ St. Patrick’s day ~ 

***

The Day of the Festival of Patrick ... Saint Patrick’s Day, the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of Ireland.  

Named after Saint Patrick, this day was made official by Christians in the early seventeenth century.  Primarily observed by the Catholic Church, this day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland in the fifth century.  Yet for most of us, we celebrate with parades, festivals, wearing green attire and shamrocks.

And although the original colour associated with SP was blue, over the years the colour green and its association with SPD grew.

Green, my favorite color, a healing color ...

So what inspired the shamrock and associated designs on this day?  Well Saint Patrick is said to have used a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish.  The phrase “the wearing of the green” means to wear a shamrock on one’s clothing.  So along with the religious symbols include snakes, serpents, harps, the Celtic cross ... most of us identify with the mythological creature known as the leprechaun and a pot of gold that the leprechaun keeps hidden ... 

And so on SPD around the world when some people indulge in Irish inspired spirits and foods, others plan a pilgrimage to St Patrick’s Purgatory.  This is commonly associated with penance and spiritual healing since the early 13th century.  “It is on Station Island in Lough Derg in County Donegal where St Patrick had a vision promising that all who came to the sanctuary in penitence and faith would receive a pardon for their sins.”

Oddly, the day after SPD, some may be calling on their faith to just get through the aftermath of celebrating ...

Regardless, I find it interesting to know why we do what we do because of “tradition”.  And thankfully Saint Patrick’s Day gives us another opportunity for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaires worldwide ...

May luck be our companion

May friends stand by our side

May history remind us all

Of Ireland's faith and pride.

May God bless us with happiness

May love and faith abide.

~Irish Blessing