Kiss me...

"The person who was to become St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Wales about AD 385. His given name was Maewyn.

When he was 16, he was sold into slavery to Ireland where he was a shepherd for 6 years. While in captivity he studied and turned to religion. He escaped slavery and later returned to Ireland as a missionary, determined to convert Ireland to Christianity. He used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.

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." Courtesy of Alphabet-soup.

The leaves of the shamrock actually represents the trinity. Each leaf a symbol of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Each separerate unto themselves, but yet stem from the same entity.

There are many uses for this day. Some celebrate it as a Catholic holiday, some more secular "Let's drink and be merry that we are Irish!". Growing up, I always saw it as the day I got pinched if I didn't wear green. Of course, at the time I didn't know my heritage. I still can't say that I know it fully.

At any rate, Happy St. Patrick's Day. Have fun...