3/17/99

3/13/02

In computer news this week:

Finding out about St. Patrick via the Internet .......

I can remember going to St. Patrick's day parades since I was a little kid in New York City. My parents would drag me up to 5th avenue and we'd stand there in the cold and watch all the parade people, who always seemed extremely happy and oblivious to the cold. Later when I lived in other cities, and grew older, it seemed that not only the marchers were still extremely happy and oblivious to the cold, but most of the parade watchers too.

And even later, after participating in St. Patrick's day parades myself; once notably on the KPBX float back in the mid eighties, I finally the figured out the secret to keeping warm and being oblivious to the March cold, which of course is achieved by partaking in generous portions of ........... corned beef and cabbage, what else? The traditional Irish Dish.

But the question still in my mind was "Who was St. Patrick", and until today I never really researched the subject. It would have involved a lot of going to the library, and looking throught old dusty book archives, but this morning, from the comfort of my office and using my computer, I found out many things I wasn't aware of, and found several legends related to the Holiday.

The person who was to become St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Wales about AD 387. His given name was Maewyn.

Since Britain was part of the Roman Empire and had become Christian, the child was baptized and called Patricius, meaning "noble". For 16 years, Patrick lived a normal life as the son of a prosperous landowner and magistrate, until he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders that raided his village. During his captivity, he became closer to God.

He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre for a period of twelve years. During his training he became aware that his calling was to convert the Irish pagans to Christianity.

Patrick was quite successful at winning converts. And this fact upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion of the Irish country to Christianity. His mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. After that time, Patrick retired to County Down. He died on March 17 in AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since.

Much Irish folklore surrounds St. Patrick's Day. Not much of it is actually substantiated.

"Saint Patrick drove away all the snakes in Ireland". Snakes are a metaphor for the Druids.

Saint Patrick & the Shamrock

Saint Patrick used a shamrock, called a trefoil or three-leaf clover, to illustrate the concept of the trinity to the people. (1)

Saint Patrick's Powers

St. Patrick caused the earth to open and swallow the Druids. (8)

Saint Patrick & the Devil

St. Patrick chased the Devil through Ireland. Satan found a mountain in his way, bit off a chunk , and ran on. He dropped the chunk at Cashel. The mountain he dropped at Cashel is known as "The Devil's Bit." (7)

Saint Patrick's Sunset

The sun did not set for 12 days and nights when Saint Patrick died. (1)

Saint Patrick & the Fish

Legend has it each year on March 17th fish rise from the sea and pass before Saint Patrick's altar. (1)

The first Irish celebrations on the date of St. Patrick's death were noisy affairs. As the Irish emigrated aroundthe world, they took the St. Pat's celebration with them. The Irish heritage has had a profound influence on our nation. Nineteen Presidents of the United States proudly claim Irish heritage --including our first President, George Washington.

Happy St. Patrick's Day ! For Raw Bytes, this is Frank Delaney

For Raw Bytes, This is Frank Delaney

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