Who was St. Patrick anyway...

May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks, may your heart be as light as a song, may each day bring you bright, happy hours that stay with you all the year long.

ABOUT SAINT PATRICK (taken from http://www.st-patricks-day.com/)

• Saint Patrick is believed to have been born in the late fourth century.

• Saint Patrick was the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland who is credited with bringing christianity to Ireland.

• Saint Patrick is most known for driving the snakes from Ireland. It is true there are no snakes in Ireland, but there probably never have been… As in many old pagan religions, serpent symbols were common and often worshipped. Driving the snakes from Ireland was probably symbolic of putting an end to that pagan practice.

• There are several accounts of Saint Patrick's death. One says that Patrick died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, on March 17, 460 A.D. His jawbone was preserved in a silver shrine and was often requested in times of childbirth, epileptic fits, and as a preservative against the "evil eye."

• Another account says that St. Patrick ended his days at Glastonbury, England and was buried there. The Chapel of St. Patrick still exists as part of Glastonbury Abbey.

• Today, many Catholic places of worship all around the world are named after St. Patrick, including cathedrals in New York and Dublin city.

• Being a religious holiday as well, many Irish attend mass, where March 17th is the traditional day for offering prayers for missionaries worldwide before the serious celebrating begins.

• Some communities even go so far as to dye rivers or streams green!

For each petal on the shamrock this brings a wish your way. Good health, good luck, and happiness for today and every day.

*Originally posted at: Twisted ramblings from the mouse that runs the brain