Celtic Lore: St. Patrick

With Saint Patrick’s day right around the corner, I thought it appropriate to do a Celtic Lore post in his honor.

Next week people, including myself, will wear green and put on little pins or necklaces that say, “Kiss me I’m Irish.” Out of all the people who celebrate, how many do you think know the real story?

St. Patrick is one of the patron saints of Ireland, however, he wasn’t born in the lush green country. He was born in either Britain or Wales around the 4th century, to a Roman Catholic family, in fact his father was involved with the church, although what exactly differs from place to place. Some say he was a deacon, others say he was a Roman official. In any case, at the age of sixteen, he was captured by Irish raiders and sold to an Irish Chieftain as a slave. He was held and worked for six years as a shepherd. Being so absolutely alone in a strange country, Saint Patrick turned to God for solace. This is where his first thoughts of changing the pagan country to Christianity began.

After six years, Patrick began to have visions and dreams, and a voice spoke to him, whom he thought was God. God told him he needed to leave Ireland. Patrick walked around 200 miles to the coast of Ireland. Shortly after returning home, he had another dream. This time the voice told him he needed to return to Ireland as a missionary. Patrick immediately began his religious training and after fifteen years he was ordained a priest. It was then, he made his trip to Ireland to minister Christians that already lived there, as well as to spread the religion and convert those who practices pagan ways. It is a myth that Patrick was the first to introduce Christianity to Ireland, however, he did bring it into popularity.

While in Ireland, he went by the Gaelic name, Patricius Daorbae (Daorbae-meaning ‘He was enslaved.’)

What probably helped Patrick the most was his understanding of the people, having lived there for so many years himself. While spreading Christianity, he incorporated native traditions and rituals in his lessons. On Easter, he used a bonfire, as the Irish loved to used bonfires to celebrate the gods. Patrick was also the one who created the Celtic cross, which is a sun placed onto the Catholic cross. He treated the people as equals instead of acting above them, which gained their trust and friendships.

Legend says Patrick came to Ireland and banished all the snakes from the isle. It has been suggested that the snakes in reference are to the serpent symbol of Druidism. It is also said that Patrick used the three leaf clover to explain the holy trinity to the people.

Two letters remain that are believed to be written by Patrick. One is the Declaration and the other is Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus. Click on the link to read the 2nd letter. I was unable to find a link online for the Declaration which is a story of his life and teachings, but the following book St. Patrick of Ireland, by Philip Freeman, you can read them both.

Saint Patrick died on March 17, 493 (this is the year believed that he died) in Ireland. March 17th is considered Saint Patrick’s “feast day” in the Catholic church, and is celebrated by many countries besides Ireland as St. Patrick’s Day.

When you think of how deeply Irish history is meshed with legend, myth and lore, it is no wonder that the story of St. Patrick has been exaggerated and become quite a myth itself. How do you celebrate St. Patrick’s day?

PS. Sorry this was posted so late in the week...I was battling the flu :)