Lent Day - 13 - Green Eyed?

 Ah today - the wearing of the green - Saint Patrick Day - celebrated by much more than just Irish heritage persons.  Saint Patrick's Day originated as a religious holiday  – honoring Saint Patrick -  who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century – but has evolved into a celebration of all things Irish.  In 1991 - Congress designated March as Irish American Heritage month - celebrations of Saint Patrick's Day date back to the 1600s.  America’s first St. Patrick’s Day celebration was in 1600 in the Spanish colony of present-day St. Augustine, Florida.  Spanish colonial records mentioned a celebration for Saint Patrick in 1600 and the first known St. Patrick’s Day parade was held on March 17, 1601.  The tale of Saint Patrick likely traveled from Ireland to the Americas in the 16th century by way of Richard Arthur, a priest in St. Augustine and an Irish soldier,  The Washington Post reported records of St. Patrick celebrations died with Arthur, but additional records show Irish soldiers in the English military marched in celebration of Saint Patrick in Boston in 1737 and New York City in 1762. Today - even though it is reported than only 1 in 19 claims Irish heritage - over 60 percent of those in the USA celebrate this day with many various celebrations.  The city of Chicago is known to dye the Chicago River - which runs through the downtown area - green each year in commemoration of Saint Patrick. The first St. Patrick Parade began in Boston USA.

St, Patrick Parade in Ireland

It is important to note that the commemoration of Saint Patrick is much more than celebrating Irish heritage - all the parties - festivities - that are celebrated. The deeper connection with each of us - Irish or not - is that Patrick was a man of faith. Also interesting - although considered the Patron of Ireland - Patrick was not Irish - rather of Romano-British ancestry. In simple terms his ancestry came from Roman - perhaps Italian parentage - from his father a deacon - grandfather a priest - and born in Britain. Kidnapped at a young age and taken to Ireland where he lived for six years - escaped - returned to Britain where he continued studies in Christianity begun in Ireland - eventually becoming ordained - returned to Ireland to bring Christianity to the pagans there. The rest - as they say - is all history. The point for us - as we celebrate Saint Patrick today - during Lent - it is never too late to experience conversion - make more of our lives - than they are. Today - wearing our green - a great day to confess - admit that we may have been slack in our observance of our faith - the perfect day to - like Patrick - pick up our cross - become much more involved in our own personal story. Never too late to start a new chapter in the book of our life. With God - all things are possible.

Deacon Dale