Saint Patricks Day

                                             
                                      Who is Saint Patrick

  At the age of 16,  he was captured from his home in Great Britain and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for 6 years before escaping and returning to his family.  After becoming a Cleric, he returned to Northern and Western Ireland.  In later life, he served as an Ordained Bishop, but little is known about the places where he worked.  By the 17 century he had already become to be respected as the Patron of Ireland.


It is observed on the 17th day of March -- the day of his death.  It is celebrated inside and outside of Ireland as a Religious and Cultural Holiday.

The National Flower of Ireland is SHAMROCK:  A type of clover with 3 leaves.  St Patrick compares the leaves to the Holy Trinity."Father, Son and Holy Spirit"   Occasionally shamrocks are found to have 4 leaves.  These are rare and considered to be very lucky for the finder..... the odds of finding one is one in 10,000.




Another Celebrated figure besides St. Patrick is the Leprechaun.
Leprechauns are magical mini-people that have been in Irish tales and myths for years.  Old stories tell the tale of the leprechaun who is a shoemaker that protects gold.  Whoever discoveries the gold can keep it as long as he also watches the leprechaun.  The leprechaun has evolves numerous times and today includes a cereal mascot, WWE professional wrestler and horror movie icon.
  


People wear green so the won't be pinched.  It's a punishment that began in the early 1700s in the United States.  There are two explanations that illuminate the customs:

First - It's a punishment to those who forget to honor "The Emerald Isle."

Second - Is based on the superstition.  Leprechauns (and other pixies) pinched anyone they could see.  However any one who wore green was invisible to them.

Celebrants mark the holiday with foods such as corned beef and cabbage,  green food color in almost anything (like beer), events, games, performances and songs.

The first Saint Patrick Day's parade was held in the United States on March 17, 1762.  The Irish soldiers who were serving in the British army marched in New York City.


One more thing I would like to share......
My Husband and I quit smoking on March 17, 2001


Happy Saint Patrick's Day

             ~big hugs~