Honoring St. Patrick

It is St Patrick's Day this Thursday March 17Th! St Patrick is being honored as a man who had a great impact on the Christian faith in Ireland and abroad. It is always an exciting time here in the United States, there is revelry, a parade and parties as people with Irish ancestry remember the stories of the great St Patrick. Green seems to be the color most often seen at this time, as Ireland is known as "The Emerald Isle". In our Great City of Chicago, home to many Irish Americans, the Chicago River is dyed green during this period to add to the festivities. It looks awesome!!.

Now for a little background on St Patrick... At age 16, he considered himself a pagan. It was at that age he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders that raided his village. During his captivity, he became closer to God.
He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre for a period of twelve years. During his training he became aware that his calling was to convert the pagans to Christianity.

One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. And this stems from a more bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his "feast day”.

If you would like to learn more about St Patrick, click on these links below to see a few products of what is available at the Upper Room Store. Visit the Home Page to see more books and other gift items.


Ireland's Saint: The Essential Biography of St. Patrick

http://theupperroomstore.deepershopping.com/index.php?module=viewitem&item=93087


A Book of Irish American Blessing & Prayers

http://theupperroomstore.deepershopping.com/index.php?module=viewitem&item=128917

The Celts: Their Spirituality and Their Place in History

http://theupperroomstore.deepershopping.com/index.php?module=viewitem&item=42168


You might also enjoy this song “Irish Day” by Iona http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S68NKorqcFI

If you enjoyed this music, check out the music department in the store for more like it.

Have a wonderful St Patrick's Day!! Enjoy your shamrock shake!!
Blessings to you!