Lá Fhéile Pádraig
St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland
I, Patrick, the sinner, am the most rustic and the least of all the faithful . . . had for my father Calpornius, a deacon, a son of Potitus, a priest, who belonged to the village of Bannavem Taberniae
Who was St Patrick?-Historical Background
St. Patrick was not Irish. NOT Irish you say? Then why do we associate this Saint with Ireland and the Irish? Here I will try to give you the answer to your how, why and when’s.
The Beginning
Maewyn Succot was born in the year 373 A.D. in the British Isles, near the city of Dumbarton, which is located in Scotland. His childhood was not an easy one. During his youth the Roman empire was falling. The Romans unable to protect their distant lands could not remain in control of what was going on. Travel was risky for those that ventured out across the Irish Sea. Raiders took control of the sea and enslaved those that they took captive. Patrick was one of those captives. He was taken as a slave around the age of 16, where he worked for 6 years as a shepherd. During this time he had little to no faith in God. He was disobedient, not taking heed of any of the laws that were in place during this time set by the church.
During is time of being a slave, he did eventually turn to prayer. He learned the Irish language and ways during his time spent being a captive. He began to pray with vigor and relish. Using his times in prayers instead of being disobiedient.
Patrick studied for 12 laborious years at the monastery in Gaul. Maewyn, now changed his name to Patrick or the Latin form Patricius, which in Latin means: “Well Born". During this time he claims that God touched him and he knew he was meant to spread the word. He moved up the ranks of the church firstly by being an ordained deacon, next a priest to finally the second bishop to Ireland.
Patrick was an extensive traveler. The locations he traveled to which seemed to be the places that held his interest the most were those of, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Cromwall, just to name a few. All the while traveling he spread the word of the gospel.
Where Druids Rule
During this time, Ireland was governed by Paganism. The Druids, which governed many of the regions were attempting to unite the tribes and regions under one belief system. They knew how important it was to have organization in the regions. They were, and doing a grand job, making steps towards uniting the tribes and regions of Ireland into “One common belief".
Ireland, had numerous Gods and Goddess for each tribe and region. The Druids seeing this and knowing that the Gods and Goddess that were worshiped were only different by the names that the particular region gave to them. The Gods and Goddesses had the same attributes simply under numerous names. Realizing this, the Druids knew if they could organize and make a unity belief under one house this would aid in the fighting and protecting of their lands. Even rival tribes were coming to the same conclusion. A structure was being devised by the Druids for such common beliefs. A purely solid foundation, which was working for all. Working maybe too well for the Church.
Christianity and Patrick Arrives
With Christianity spreading like wildfire throughout Ireland, Patrick was sent to Ireland to spread the word. Their word. During Patricks travels, he went to Tara. This is where Patrick meets the Druids. Upon arriving at Tara he began nullifying all Pagan rites and rituals. With his preaching he converted many of the warrior chieftain’s and royalty, also their subjects, which were in the thousands. Patrick baptized these new converts in the Holy Well’s. This Holy Well still has his name embedded upon it.
Conversion
In order to convert the people and have the Druids and their followers conform to the new beliefs, the Church had to establish their “laws” into action. The first and foremost law that was placed into enforcement was the taking away of the Pagan holidays. These holidays were revised accordingly to become Christian holidays with a still Pagan flair. Of course, to this present day we still see Pagan symbolism in the holidays and festivals that are Christian based.
The Pagans and Druids that did not conform to these new beliefs and went against the laws either fled the country or took their religions underground. Many of these old Pagan beliefs became “secret societies and religions". The Celtic Druids, still trying to remain in force were continually arresting Patrick Each time he was arrested he found a way in which to escape. Patrick proclaimed that the power of God showed him the way out of these imprisonments.
Driving out of the Snakes
No, Ireland was not infested by snakes. In fact Ireland has very few snakes in their region (according to some sources). It is well known that the Serpent is a major symbol to the Pagan religion. What were the Snakes that were driven out? The Church used the snakes to depict the end of the Pagans and their religions. The snakes were “Pagans". With the help of Patrick the end of the Pagan beliefs and practices came about in Ireland. The Driving out of the snakes became symbolically known as the driving out of Paganism.
30 Years of Gospel
For 30 years Patrick converted a massive number of Pagans to Christianity. He taught the Celts Christianity in the ways they could understand. He mixed Paganism with the christianity beliefs, but made sure that the people knew that Christianity was the correct way to pray. Thus, Celtic Christianity was established. Patrick established monestaries, schools and churches over the 30 year time span. All of which he gave credit unselfishly to the power of God. Never taking any credit for himself.
The End Nearing
Patrick towards the end of his life was growing tired. He knew that his time of death was nearing. In his final months and days it is said that Patrick spent his time in Armagh. All the while he prayed to his God. Patrick prayed till he passed on.
The time of his death was on or near March 17th.
Why Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
St. Patrick’s Day was originally designed to coincide with the Pagan Holiday, Ostara. The thinking was that St. Patrick’s Day would overcome and take the place of this festival of the Pagans. But remaining true worshiper of Paganism, this did not happen. Ostara remains one of the important holidays in Pagan worship. The day in which rebirth is celebrated. Pagans celebrate this rebirth during the Spring Equinox which this year falls on March 20th.t
Power of Prayer
What can we learn by St. Patrick and what he did? The power of prayer. St. Patrick started having little to no faith in God or a formal religious belief system. Moving through the years he found his God. Turning this love of the Divine one towards doing seemingly good things for the people. Maybe, the conversion process of “forcing out” the Pagans was accomplished in the wrong manner, but we have no power to change this historical occurrence. We can never the less use what St. Patrick focused on. Believing and having a never ending love towards God In whatever form or name you have chosen. St. Patrick always gave credit to his God for the power and the events, good or bad, in his life. We all could use this approach. With trust, love, devotion to our own personal Gods and Goddess they will show us the way to enlightenment with every step that we take towards them.
Lastly, we can learn from history. Trying not to persecute those of different religious beliefs than ours. This writer would like other religions to re-read historical religious events and understand that no religion is better than the other. Each is important in their own structure. For aren’t they all the same? The words may be presented differently to the worshiper, but the bottom line is the belief of the Divine One.