St. Patrick (The Real Story)

Have you heard the stories about St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland? Well, that's all Blarney! Here's the REAL story:

St. Patrick wasn't a born and bred Irishman - in fact, baby Maewyn Succat was born to a wealthy PAGAN family in Britian and the end of the fourth century. His father was considered a Christian Deacon, a title he took on strictly for the purpose of tax breaks.

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Maewyn could have used the luck of the Irish when he was captured and enslaved by Irish mauraders. The sixteen year old turned to religion for comfort. Six years later, the man who would become the Emerald Isle's patron said heard a voice he beleived was from God instructing him to leave Ireland. He escaped and walked over 200 miles on foot before returning to England. But his stay in his homeland was a short one. An angel came to him and revealed it was his mission to return to Ireland as a missionary.

After studying theology in a French monestary and a twenty year stint as a monk, he received another vision reminding him of his mission to convert Irish pagans to Christianity. After Pope Celestine bestowed the honor of Bishop upon him, the man now know as Patrick gathered 24 followers and returned to Ireland in the winter of 432.

His message wasn't exactly welcomed. The people of Ireland were steeped in pagan and earth-centered tradition, led by the powerful religious leaders we know as the Druids. While Patrick and his ilk spread the word of Christ, Druid leader were never far behind. Patrick was arrested several times, but managed to escape each and every time.

The true test came when Patrick met with the King of Laoghaire in Tara. Although the King was pagan, he was open to hearing what Patrick had to say. It was here that the shamrock was elevated to mythical status. Patrick reached down and snatched up the shamrock. He pointed out the three leaves and likened them to the idea of the Holy Trinity - three components (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) making up a single entity. The King was sold - but the Celtic Druids not so much. The shamrock was sacred to Druids and they weren't willing to share their beloved symbol.

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Patrick realized he needed to frame the idea of Christianity in a way that would be acceptable to pagans. That meant incorporating some of their beliefs and practices into Christian worship. He used the symbolic bonfire used to honor pagan gods as an intricate part of the Easter Celebration. Another revered symbol, the Sun, was place in the center of the Christian cross. The result is icon so many Irish Catholic wear today: the Celtic cross.

So let's get to the good stuff. The snakes. Legend has it Patrick went to the top of a mountain and delievered a sermon (and possibly rang a bell) that was so eloquent, it drove all the snakes into the water to their death.
Ok let's break the down. It's highly unlikely that snakes were ever native to Ireland, as the land mass broke off at the end of the Ice Age. Scholars agree the snake was a metaphor for paganism, as practicioners often used serpents during worship practices. And let's not forget the unwelcomed visitor in the Garden of Eden...

One legend I particularly enjoy combines the elquoence of Patrick with the evil serpent. While it's bretheran headed blindly to their deaths, an old serphant refused to follow. Patrick made a box and presented it to the reptile. The snake argued the container was far to small to accomadate it's length, but Patrick managed to convice it after much heated discussion. The snake enterted the box and SURPRISE! Patrick snapped the box shut and cast it into the sea. I guess they were both right in the end.

Another legend that still holds water - so to speak - is that of Patrick and the island of Lough Derg. Followers believe the missionary killed an evil lake monster living in the depths of the surrounding water. The blood from the monster turned the lake water red, giving the area the monkier Lough Derg, or "Red Lake". Pilgrams flock to Station Island for a three day silent retreat between June 15th and August 15 with the belief that the waters will cure them of the seven deadly sins.

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So what became of Patrick? Legend has it he died on March 17 in Northern Island. The location of his remains are a mystery. Some say he requested he be buried "wherever the oxen stopped"... and his wishes were honored. Others insist he retuned to his native England in his final days and is buried in the Glastonbury Abbey. Still other camps point to Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland as his final resting place. Down Cathedral seems to be the most likely place, however. You'll find a large slab of rock with the name PATRIC inscribed.

It wasn't easy being a saint centuries ago, because the concept of "resting in peace" was a foreign concept. Like so many other revered men and women, Patrick was dismembered, and his relic sent across the country. His jawbone, presevered in a silver shrine, was present at countless childbirths, epileptic fits and even used as an amulet against the "evil eye". And lest you think the missing parts found their way back to their owner, look no further than the National Museum of Dublin. That's where you'll find Patrick's bell and tooth. And don't look under the high alter of the Abbey Church. That's the spot his hand calls home.

The biggest irony of all? St. Patrick may not have been officially canonized! According to American Catholic, Patrick was never officially made a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. For the first 1,000 years, canonoization was done on a regional level and since the people of Ireland view him as a saint, it is so.

I will leave you with a toast that will no doubt be repeated many times on March 17th:
"The Scots have their whisky, the Welsh have their tounge, but the Irish have Paddy, who's second to none!"

For More Information:
St. Patrick and St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

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