A Thought for St. Patrick

On Sunday I began my message speaking about St. Patrick and the Celtic Christian tradition because St. Patrick's Day was so close at hand. I commented that the green beer, leaping leprechaun St. Paddy's celebrations seems like a rude anti-tribute to someone who was the source of a fresh interpretation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, one that was profoundly Christian an both earth-honouring and life-affirming. Patrick was born in the late fourth century and began his missionary work in the fifth.

I hadn't realized that the St. Patrick's Day party tradition is actually an American invention, not something imported from the Emerald Isle. Apparently March 17 started as a religious feast day in Ireland in the 17th century, marking the death of Patrick.It was a sombre day when people would go to mass, and the pubs were closed. A banquet in 18th century Boston got the ball rolling for the often raucous festivals observed today.

Along with remembering the spiritual legacy of Patrick we might also give a thought to the many thousands of immigrants who fled the potato famine of Ireland in the 19th century. The peasant class of Ireland were required to plant potatoes by the gentry and when this monoculture failed there was widespread famine and death. Those who left out of desperation often died en route and arrived sick and destitute.

There is a Celtic cross in Kingston near the site of the "fever sheds" where 1400 Irish immigrants died of typhus, a significant percentage of the more than 20,000 who died on Canada's shores. There was considerable fear of those who came bearing disease, but religious people were amongst those who cared for them. A number of those caregivers died themselves. There will be commemorations today.

Any comments about your Irish heritage or the Celtic spiritual tradition?