The Legend of St. Patrick
St. Patrick is a legendary figure in both the secular and sacred realms. We talk of leprechauns and luck on his day (see below), March 17th, but should remember that he is first and foremost a powerful religious figure. He lived during the 5th century CE, was captured by Irish raiders in his youth and became a missionary to Ireland in his adulthood. He is famous for having driven "all the snakes" from Ireland, but since Ireland never had any snakes, this feat is to be taken metaphorically, and it is thought that "snakes" refers to Druid priests, practicing in Ireland at the time.
Another famous metaphor is the symbol of the shamrock reputed to have been the tool Patrick used to explain the mystery of the Trinity. This bit of theology is remarkable in its clarity and simplicity. The story of his life is the stuff of mystery and legend and abounds with both quiet and bold feats of heroism. His holiday is celebrated on the eve of spring, reminding us of a legend of weather and change: when challenged by a Druid priest to make it snow, he replied evasively that God determines the weather. Upon uttering these words, it began to snow. St. Patrick made the sign of the cross, and just as immediately, the snow disappeared and the sun broke through again.
As a fearless missionary and humble priest in a wild and reckless world, we can learn much and have much to admire in St. Patrick.
St. Patrick's Breastplate
I bind to myself this day
The power of God to guide me,
The might of God to uphold me,
The wisdom of God to teach me,
The eye of God to watch over me,
The ear of God to hear me,
The word of God to give me speech,
The hand of God to protect me,
The shield of God to shelter me,
The host of God to defend me against evil,
Against the lust of nature,
Against every person who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near, whether alone of with many.
I have invoked all these virtues against every hostile, savage power warring upon my body and soul,
against the evil laws of paganism, against the false laws of heresy, against the false promises of idolatry and against all knowledge which blinds the soul of humanity.
St. Patrick is a legendary figure in both the secular and sacred realms. We talk of leprechauns and luck on his day (see below), March 17th, but should remember that he is first and foremost a powerful religious figure. He lived during the 5th century CE, was captured by Irish raiders in his youth and became a missionary to Ireland in his adulthood. He is famous for having driven "all the snakes" from Ireland, but since Ireland never had any snakes, this feat is to be taken metaphorically, and it is thought that "snakes" refers to Druid priests, practicing in Ireland at the time.
Another famous metaphor is the symbol of the shamrock reputed to have been the tool Patrick used to explain the mystery of the Trinity. This bit of theology is remarkable in its clarity and simplicity. The story of his life is the stuff of mystery and legend and abounds with both quiet and bold feats of heroism. His holiday is celebrated on the eve of spring, reminding us of a legend of weather and change: when challenged by a Druid priest to make it snow, he replied evasively that God determines the weather. Upon uttering these words, it began to snow. St. Patrick made the sign of the cross, and just as immediately, the snow disappeared and the sun broke through again.
As a fearless missionary and humble priest in a wild and reckless world, we can learn much and have much to admire in St. Patrick.
St. Patrick's Breastplate
I bind to myself this day
The power of God to guide me,
The might of God to uphold me,
The wisdom of God to teach me,
The eye of God to watch over me,
The ear of God to hear me,
The word of God to give me speech,
The hand of God to protect me,
The shield of God to shelter me,
The host of God to defend me against evil,
Against the lust of nature,
Against every person who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near, whether alone of with many.
I have invoked all these virtues against every hostile, savage power warring upon my body and soul,
against the evil laws of paganism, against the false laws of heresy, against the false promises of idolatry and against all knowledge which blinds the soul of humanity.
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Did You Know?
March 2009
Song of St. Patrick from The Dreamer's Almanac
(for those who are worn out with wishing)
March winds. Spring, but not yet, except for the unseasonably warm days that hold little promise, and herald only the damage done to a beleaguered world. The forsythia forces its blooms, leaves split their buds, flies congregate, rabbits die in the road.
But March is the month of St.Patrick, the patron saint of luck, wishes, and the search for the four-leaf clover. Patrick can be a holy saint because luck is the stepbrother of belief- a poor and unreliable substitute, but capable of miracles when he occassionally comes through. The superstitious make their way to heaven afterall. . . but it will be the long way around, having suffered much anxiety in the wishing, and the waiting. Therein lives the blessing of St. Patrick: a little whiskey will fix that right up, cottoning off the pain, sentimentalizing the fool until foolishness becomes profound. Laugh at yourself, says St. Patrick. You’re more likely to see a four-leaf clover when you’re laughing. Play a guessing game with a leprechaun.
Catch a leprechaun and he will more than likely thumb his nose at you. March winds - do they heal the wounds of the wishful? Or just blow dust? March winds tangle your hair, tie your heart up in knots. St. Patrick throws his body over a patch of clover to save it from shriveling. He favors the impractical soul who goes down on his knees to look for luck in the clover. Every prayer to St. Patrick begins and ends with “please.” Prayers and wishes find him at the bar, half lit, singing a profane love ballad, laughing.
Just keep making wishes, says the leprechaun, and pretend that they are granted, while you remain unaware. A granted wish, an answered prayer, a dream come true should always come as a surprise.
Catch a leprechaun and he will show you his pot of gold and the end of the rainbow. Guess his name and the gold is yours. The only one who wins the game, though, is the foolish soul who prefers the rainbow to the gold. A rainbow to bring out at will, plucked from an inner pocket, placed in any needy sky, over the head of your beloved, or spread out across the bedroom ceiling in the middle of the night. Paint with it, color like light, cast a room in violet, or green, change the place and time entirely -- rule the world with a rainbow. Declare love or sorrow or self with a rainbow, like the flag of a ship at sea, and the end of this rainbow: your own true heart. To choose the rainbow takes the leprechaun by surprise, and then the joke’s on him, so he laughs out loud.
Luck always comes as a surprise. Like the rainbow, or snow on daffodils, violets in the grass, a deer in the creek, a snake in the vines. The world always comes as a surprise. Laugh at yourself, says St. Patrick, and remember to be grateful.
"Did You Know" is a new monthy feature of the website and newsletter to honor, remember, and celebrate the past and present of Emmanuel Church and Episcopalian lore. Please contribute your story about Emmanuel's history, and how Emmanuel has been and continues to be a part of your life. Send your story to: Janet White: 364-4522 or witecranes@msn.com
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Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Delaplane, VA
Delaplane, VA
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