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In lieu of another thread on St. Patrick's Day, I thought I'd start this one. There is a lengthy entry in the Catholic Encyclopedia on St. Patrick, and here is but an excerpt:
St. Patrick continued until his death to visit and watch over the churches which he had founded in all the provinces in Ireland. He comforted the faithful in their difficulties, strengthened them in the Faith and in the practice of virtue, and appointed pastors to continue his work among them. It is recorded in his Life that he consecrated no fewer than 350 bishops. ...From time to time he withdrew from the spiritual duties of his apostolate to devote himself wholly to prayer and penance. One of his chosen places of solitude and retreat was the island of Lough Derg, which, to our own day, has continued to be a favourite resort of pilgrims, and it is known as St. Patrick's Purgatory. Another theatre of his miraculous power and piety and penitential austerities in the west of Ireland merits particular attention. In the far west of Connaught there is a range of tall mountains, which, arrayed in rugged majesty, bid defiance to the waves and storms of the Atlantic. At the head of this range arises a stately cone in solitary grandeur, about 4000 feet in height, facing Clew Bay, and casting its shadow over the adjoining districts of Aghagower and Westport. This mountain was known in pagan times as the Eagle Mountain, but ever since Ireland was enlightened with the light of Faith it is known as Croagh Patrick, i.e. St. Patrick's mountain, and is honoured as the Holy Hill, the Mount Sinai, of Ireland.
Here is a tidbit about Croagh Patrick that I posted a while back:
Here's some cool Irish literature about St. Patrick.On the Life of St. Patrick
Now one of the splendours which the Sun of righteousness shed upon the world was the splendour, and the flame, the precious stone and shining lamp which enligthened the west of the world, Sanctus Patricius Episcopus, to wit, holy Patrick, high bishop of the west of the world, father of the baptism and belief of the men of Ireland. Now the day whereon there is told and set forth, in the churches of the Christians, somewhat of his miracles and marvels, and of the parents of whom he was born, and of the earthly stock of the holy Patrick, is the sixteenth of the Kalends of April as to the day of the solar month. ........Now when the holy Patrick was born, he was brought to be baptized to the blind flat-faced youth named Gornias. But Gornias had not water wherewith he could perform the baptism, so with the infant's hand he made the sign of the cross over the earth, and a wellspring of water brake therefrom. Gornias put the water on his own face, and it healed him at once, and he understood the letters (of the alphabet), though he had never seen them before. Now here at one time God wrought a threefold miracle for Patrick, the wellspring of water from the earth, and his eyesight to the blind youth, and skill in reading aloud the order of baptism without knowing the letters beforehand. Thereafter Patrick was baptized.
……..Now when the holy Patrick was born, he was brought to be baptized to the blind flat-faced youth named Gornias. But Gornias had not water wherewith he could perform the baptism, so with the infant's hand he made the sign of the cross over the earth, and a wellspring of water brake therefrom. Gornias put the water on his own face, and it healed him at once, and he understood the letters (of the alphabet), though he had never seen them before. Now here at one time God wrought a threefold miracle for Patrick, the wellspring of water from the earth, and his eyesight to the blind youth, and skill in reading aloud the order of baptism without knowing the letters beforehand. Thereafter Patrick was baptized.
That's an interesting story! Ok, I've got to get ready for the St. Paddy's Day parade....
I've read several times that St. Patrick was from Britain, but I read recently that St. Patick's family actually originated in eastern Europe, maybe Hungary. I'd have to get the sources.
I've read several times that St. Patrick was from Britain, but I read recently that St. Patick's family actually originated in eastern Europe, maybe Hungary. I'd have to get the sources.
Yes pls, the sources ... ;D
I've read several times that St. Patrick was from Britain, but I read recently that St. Patick's family actually originated in eastern Europe, maybe Hungary. I'd have to get the sources.
Yes pls, the sources ... ;D
+1
St. Patrick was British
Hardy har har. You may be right, but then again, I thought St. Patrick might be Roman, or (according to this thread) even Hungarian. He is an international man of mystery in terms of origin, apparently.
Anybody have a theory about St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland? My understanding is because of the cold ocean water that has surrounds Ireland since the glaciers melted there have never been any snakes in Ireland. Were snakes symbolic of paganism? Other thoughts?
Yes, I think it is clearly imbued with symbolism of St. Patrick bringing Christianity to Ireland in lieu of paganism. Whether St. Patrick had something to do with real-life snakes, I do not know. One wonders how they could not be reintroduced into the isle over time. I would think that the climate is fine for things such as garter snakes.
Yes, I think it is clearly imbued with symbolism of St. Patrick bringing Christianity to Ireland in lieu of paganism. Whether St. Patrick had something to do with real-life snakes, I do not know. One wonders how they could not be reintroduced into the isle over time. I would think that the climate is fine for things such as garter snakes.
Daniel's post is spot on. Snakes, as you say, is likely a pagan symbol from the white and red dragons of the Celts... often tagged "worms" in the old times.
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