ST. PADDY'S DAY PICTURES!
  
   
So here's my tribute to St. Paddy and all things Irish!
Born Patricius around 385 AD in Scotland, his parents were Romans living in Britain.  As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep.  Ireland at this time was a land of druids and pagans.  During his captivity, he learned the language and practices of the people who held him.

Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God, in which  he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast.  There he found some sailors who took him back to britain, where he reunited with his family.

He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him,
   
AN IRISH BLESSING

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
 
is Gaelic for "To your health!"
(it's pronounced as if you quickly slurred "It's a lawn chair!")
"We beg you holy youth, to come and walk among us once again."

He began his studies for the priesthood.  He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, of whom he studied under for years.  Later, Patrick was ordained a Bishop and was sent to take the gospel to Ireland.  He arrived at Slane, on  March 25, 433.  Converting many, he and his disciples preached and built churches all over the country for fourty years.  Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity upon hearing Patrick's message. 

After living in poverty, travelling and enduring much suffering, he died March 17, 461, in Saul, where he had built the first church.
Leprachauns:  These are Irish fairies, cunning in nature.  They are usually found among the clover...
Click HERE for the words to BARRETT'S PRIVATEERS
The Shamrock

Symbolizing the cross and the blessed trinity.  Before the Christian Era, it was a sacred plant of the Druids of Ireland. 
The Dragda's Harp
It is said that while the two peoples of Ireland (Fomorians- dark hair, dark eyes and the golden-haired, fair eyes tribe) were at war, the Fomorians stole a beautiful golden harp from the leader of the other tribe.  When the leader, Dragda, heard of the theft, he tracked down the Fomorians and reclaimed his harp.  Dragda then played a soft tune, causing the Fomorians to fall asleep.  Then he and his followers quietly slipped out of the camp.