Ever wonder the story behind today? Well, here it is. Feel free to skip down a few paragraphs if you’re not interested.
The dates of Patrick’s life cannot be fixed with certainty, but there is general agreement that he was active as a missionary in Ireland during the fifth century. A recent biography on Patrick shows a late fourth-century date for the saint is not impossible. According to tradition dating from the early Middle Ages, Patrick was the first bishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland, and is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland, converting a pagan society in the process. He has been generally so regarded ever since, despite evidence of some earlier Christian presence.
According to Patrick’s autobiographical Confessio, when he was about sixteen, he was captured by Irish pirates from his home in Britain and taken as a slave to Ireland. He writes that he lived there for six years as an animal herder before escaping and returning to his family. After becoming a cleric, he returned to spread Christianity in northern and western Ireland. In later life, he served as a bishop, but little is known about where he worked. By the seventh century, he had already come to be revered as the patron saint of Ireland.
His feast day is observed on 17 March, the supposed date of his death. It is celebrated in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora as a religious and cultural holiday. In the dioceses of Ireland, it is both a solemnity and a holy day of obligation.
So there you have it. Enjoy your green beer and corned beef today. For me, it signals sort of the beginning of Spring. Usually, it’s downhill from here towards summer. Let’s hope so. I’m ok with a few good super soakers of rain, but let’s bring on the green colors of Spring.
Hovey is closed today (where Ty works) as due to the snow, they didn’t get their shipment of supplies (food) from Denver. His Check Engine light came on while driving home last night, so tomorrow we’ll get his car in to check it out.
Lori and I will go to the gym and then head home for the day. I did some work in the basement yesterday and have some more to do today. I have a busy week as I’m in Denver alone Tuesday and Friday, and down with Lori on Thursday and Sunday. More to come on what we’re doing next week. Two weeks from today is Easter. Hard to believe. That is it for the day, wear some green and God Bless.