Today is the Feast of St. Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland

[DemBones DemBones]

“ Christ shield me this day:
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every person
   who thinks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.”


— “The Breastplate of St. Patrick”

[Maeve]

1. A lovely day, spoiled by too much drinking

Which Himself would not approve of at all, but there it is...

Patrick seems to have actually like the Irish people, despite his previous slavery, and speaks warmly of the Irish women. Later legends paint him as a miracle worker and harsh tempered; it is generally agreed that these are more an attempt to paint him into the expected mold than a reflection of his true character. Following his lead, the Irish church was accomodating to pagan practices and sensibilities, not dismissive of them as the churches in Europe tended to be. It may also be noted that Patrick is one of the first writers in Western literature to condemn slavery.

You all might enjoy "The Wisdom of St. Patrick: Inspirations from the Patron Saint of Ireland" by Greg Tobin. The book is published and distributed by Barnes & Noble Books (small hardback, about $7, if I remember correctly)