The Irish Tidbits

by Carole Brown

I love Ireland. Beautiful country, interesting history, and remarkable people. I thought it would be fun to list a few blessings and thoughts from the Irish. Enjoy!

May the strength of three be in your journey.

A toast to your coffin. May it be made of a hundred-year-old oak, and may we plant the tree together, tomorrow. 

May the most you wish for be the least you get. 

May you have walls for the wind, and a roof for the rain, and drinks beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, and those you love near you, and all that your heart may desire. 

May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.

May your hand always be stretched out in friendship and not in want. 

And one more…

For the test of the heart is trouble, and it always comes with years. And the smile that is worth the praises of earth, is the smile that shines through the tears. 

The History of Saint Patrick

by Tamera Lynn Kraft

St. Patrick’s Day, March 17^th, is a day everyone loves to celebrate by wearing green and having parades, but most don’t know the spiritual significance of the man named Patrick. It is a story of adventure and mystery.

Patrick was born in Kilpatrick, Scotland in the year, 387. His parents were Romans living in Britain and named him Maewyn Succat. At the age of fourteen, Patrick was captured by a raiding party and taken to Ireland to herd sheep. Ireland, at that time, was populated by pagans and druids. Patrick, during his captivity, learned the language and culture of Ireland. He also used his captivity to grow closer to God.

Six years later, at the age of twenty, Patrick had a dream from God to leave Ireland. In the dream, he was told to escape to the coast. When he arrived at the coast, a ship from Britain was waiting for him. He returned home to his family.

Later Patrick studied for the priesthood, became a bishop. He had a vision of the people of Ireland begging him to return and tell them about Jesus. Patrick became a missionary to Ireland and preached the Gospel throughout the land. He lived there for the rest of his life, and many were converted. He died on March 17^th, 461.

There are many legends surrounding Patrick. Because there are very few snakes in Ireland, one legend says Patrick banished the snakes. This legend has a grain of truth in it if you consider the snakes paganism that plagued Ireland. By the time Patrick died, Ireland was on its way to becoming a Christian nation. Another legend says an Ash tree would grow wherever Patrick poked his stick into the ground.

The reason the shamrock is used to represent St. Patrick is because he used the shamrock to illustrate the trinity. Since the shamrock is green, that color is also used to represent Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day.