St. Patrick’s Day – In the Corona Era

What an unusual St. Patrick’s Day celebration we shall all have this year. Parade – canceled. Bars- closed. Restaurants – take out only. And sadly, all masses have been canceled in Ohio through Easter. (I’m not sure if that means including Easter, but I have a feeling that’s what it means.)

Many people don’t seem to understand that St. Patrick was really British!- born and raised in Britain around 460 AD, kidnapped by raiders at the age of 16 and then taken to Ireland. There Patrick worked as a slave, tending the sheep for his master and spending many lonely days thinking about God and missing his family.

After six years he was told in a dream that a boat was ready to take him home.  Patrick simply left his position and walked to the coast, found the boat and returned to Britain.  But it wasn’t long before Patrick had another dream encouraging him to return to Ireland and to spread the Gospel to the people there.

After reuniting with his family, Patrick went to Auxerre, France where he studied and entered the priesthood under the guidance of the missionary St. Germain. In 431, Pope St. Celestine I consecrated St. Patrick Bishop of the Irish, and sent him to Ireland to spread “The Good News,” or Christian Gospel, to the Pagans there.

On thinking about St. Patrick I feel grateful. It’s important to remember that many people for thousands of years have been through much worse than this! St. Patrick was torn away from his family at a very young age and sold as a slave. During all of that time, he was separated from the church, fellow believers, and the Eucharist. He got through it by immersing in prayer and being open to the will of God in his life which lead him to freedom, to his how back in Britain, and then to the priesthood and eventually back to Ireland.

During this Lenten season, where most of us have given up much more than we ever intended, let’s follow Patrick’s example of prayer, listening for God’s will in our lives, and loving and forgiving our fellow citizens who are also suffering.

I have much more on St. Patrick and ways to celebrate here. Enjoy this merry feast day!

St. Patrick Cupcakes
St. Patrick – History
St. Patrick’s Day Craft from Karen’s Adventures in Mommyland
St. Patrick’s Day – Cottage Blessings. 
St. Patrick’s Day Crafts
St. Patrick’s Day Books and Crafts
Shower of Roses St. Patrick’s Day