Origins

I’m ashamed to admit that I’m terrible about remembering the origin of many holidays. My kids will ask me why we celebrate Valentine’s Day or Halloween… and I never have a good answer.

I decided to do a little research to refresh my memory about St. Patrick, and I found out that he and the Saint I share a name with have close ties.

It seems that my parents couldn’t agree on a name if they were to have a girl. My dad had his heart set on a son, and the only possibility they had when they arrived at the hospital was Angela (I so can’t picture me as an ‘Angel’).

On the way to the delivery room, my dad told my mom if it was a girl, he wanted the name Bridget Anne. This was a name she actually liked (bonus-there was a Saint with that name she admired) so she agreed.

My dad didn’t get a son, but he did get a Bridget. I was 3 lbs. 8 oz. and looked like a monkey – but that’s what happens when you’re more than two months premature.

As I read about St. Patrick, I found the following information…

Brigid was the daughter of a pagan chieftain and a Christian slave who worked for him (her mother was said to have been baptized by Saint Patrick). Brigid was named after the goddess of healing, inspiration, craftsmanship and poetry.

Her mother was eventually freed from slavery… and one legend says Brigid returned to her father, who soon after arranged for her to be married.

Brigid refused the arrangement, and so she could maintain her virginity, went to Bishop Mel (a pupil of St. Patrick’s) where she took her first vows. St. Patrick later heard her final vows, and prophesied that she was destined for great things.

St. Brigid’s first convent started with seven nuns. At the invitation of Bishops,she’s said to have started convents all over Ireland.

For those who aren’t aware of St. Patrick’s origin, he was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Ireland when he was 16. For six years he tended flocks and experienced a spiritual awakening as well as divinely inspired visions. These visions and dreams are what led him to escape.

Eventually Patrick became a Priest… and later, a Bishop. During his lifetime he founded churches and schools, at least one college, and basically organized the Church of Ireland.

St. Patrick died around 492, and March 17th is the day chosen to celebrate his death. Where he died is uncertain, although his body was thought to have been buried under the Abbey of Downpatrick, in a shroud made for him by St. Brigid (who is also buried under the Abbey).

Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me. ~ Saint Patrick

I didn’t know that Patrick and Brigid’s lives were intertwined, and since I’m Irish… I think it was about time I learned more about this holiday and its history.

Another thing I wasn’t aware of (shame on me) is how the shamrock ties in with St. Patrick’s Day. This is what I found:

In trying to teach his converts about the Trinity, St. Patrick held up a shamrock explaining that the three leaves represented the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, while the stem was the Godhead itself from which they proceeded. This is said to be the origin of the use of the Shamrock which is customarily worn on St. Patrick’s Day.

I hope there was something in this post you weren’t aware of… or maybe I’m the only one who is clueless about this stuff… ?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
~Irish Blessing

Tagged as: Brigid, History, Ireland, Irish Blessing, Name, Patrick, St. Patrick's Day