St. Patrick's Day

GREEN.....everyone seems to celebrate the color green on March 17th, you will find green food, green drinks, green shamrocks, green leprechauns, green clothing, green jewelry, and even green hair...and of course the obligatory pinch that goes along with the holiday for those who aren't wearing even a smidgen of green! Now all this is fun, but many people don't realize that the holiday is really in honor of St. Patrick, a Christian missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland's pagan inhabitants. As a Santera of sorts, I can't help but try to explain to those I meet, the patron saints and the roles they have played as intercessors between God and mankind. Patron saints are chosen as special protectors or guardians over areas of life. These areas can include occupations, illnesses, churches, countries, or causes. A patron saint can help us when we follow the example of that saint's life and when we ask for that saint's intercessory prayers to God. Back to St. Patrick...he lived an exemplary life as a missionary, spreading the gospel throughout Ireland, converting pagans to Christianity. After his death, legend has it that St. Patrick was known for his explanation of the Holy Trinity by reference to the Shamrock (the Father, Son and Holy Ghost being One), and another legend has it that he expelled all the snakes from Ireland. As a result of these legends, St. Patrick's emblems are the shamrock and snakes and his Feast Day is officially March 17th, the day St. Patrick died. St. Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland and is invoked for those who are frightened by snakes. With all this said, I would just like to say, "Happy St. Patrick's Day"...now let's go eat some GREEN jello!