A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....03-17-04...Happy St. Patrick's Day

Dutchesss

[dutchess]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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Happy St. Patrick's Day

It's St. Patrick's Day, and yes, we at the Finest WILL be hosting a party, BUT before you kick up your shoes, break out the food and drink….we must first sit back and see the history of this special day.

St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity's most widely known figures. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for thousands of years. On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink, and feast-on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.

About St. Patrick

St. Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. At the age of sixteen, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family's estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to his religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian.

After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped to Britain. In several of his writing he spoke of a revelation--an angel in a dream tells him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Soon after, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than fifteen years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission-to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish.

Although there were a small number of Christians on the island when Patrick arrived, most Irish practiced a nature-based pagan religion. The Irish culture centered around a rich tradition of oral legend and myth. When this is considered, it is no surprise that the story of Patrick's life became exaggerated over the centuries-spinning exciting tales to remember history has always been a part of the Irish way of life.

The First Parade

The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place not in Ireland, but in the United States. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers to reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as fellow Irishmen serving in the English army. Over the next thirty-five years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, prompting the rise of so-called "Irish Aid" societies, like the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society. Each group would hold annual parades featuring bagpipes and drums.

No Irish Need Apply

Up until the mid-nineteenth century, most Irish immigrants in America were members of the Protestant middle class. When the Great Potato Famine hit Ireland in 1845, close to a million poor, uneducated, Catholic Irish began to pour into America to escape starvation. Despised for their religious beliefs and funny accents by the American Protestant majority, the immigrants had trouble finding even menial jobs. When Irish Americans in the country 's cities took to the streets on St. Patrick's Day to celebrate their heritage, newspapers portrayed them in cartoons as drunk, violent monkeys.

However, the Irish soon began to realize that their great numbers endowed them with a political power that had yet to be exploited. They started to organize, and their voting block, known as the "green machine," became an important swing vote for political hopefuls. Suddenly, annual St. Patrick's Day parades became a show of strength for Irish Americans, as well as a must-attend event for a slew of political candidates. In 1948, President Truman attended New York City 's St. Patrick's Day parade, a proud moment for the many Irish whose ancestors had to fight stereotypes and racial prejudice to find acceptance in America.

Wearing the Green Goes Global

Today, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by people of all backgrounds in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Although North America is home to the largest productions, St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated in other locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore, and Russia.

In modern-day Ireland, St. Patrick's Day has traditionally been a religious occasion. In fact, up until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17. Beginning in 1995, however, the Irish government began a national campaign to use St. Patrick's Day as an opportunity to drive tourism and showcase Ireland to the rest of the world.

Leprechauns

The original Irish name for these figures of folklore is "lobaircin," meaning "small-bodied fellow." Belief in leprechauns probably stems from Celtic belief in fairies, tiny men and women who could use their magical powers to serve good or evil. In Celtic folktales, leprechauns were cranky souls, responsible for mending the shoes of the other fairies. Though only minor figures in Celtic folklore, leprechauns were known for their trickery, which they often used to protect their much-fabled treasure. Leprechauns had nothing to do with St. Patrick or the celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

In 1959, Walt Disney released a film called Darby O'Gill & the Little People, which introduced America to a very different sort of leprechaun than the cantankerous little man of Irish folklore. This cheerful, friendly leprechaun is a purely American invention, but has quickly involved into an easily recognizable symbol of both St. Patrick's Day and Ireland in general.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Each year, thousands of Irish Americans gather with their loved ones on St. Patrick's Day to share a "traditional" meal of corned beef and cabbage. Though cabbage has long been an Irish food, corned beef only began to be associated with St. Patrick's Day at the turn of the century. Irish immigrants living on New York City's Lower East Side substituted corned beef for their traditional dish of Irish bacon to save money. They learned about the cheaper alternative from their Jewish neighbors.

Shamrocks

A three-leafed clover, the shamrock is the national emblem of Ireland. The shamrock, which was also called the "seamroy" by the Celts, was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland because it symbolized the rebirth of spring. By the seventeenth century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism. As the English began to seize Irish land and make laws against the use of the Irish language and the practice of Catholicism, many Irish began to wear the shamrock as a symbol of their pride in their heritage and their displeasure with English rule.

The shamrock was also said to be used by St. Patrick as he was spreading Christianity throughout Ireland by illustrating the Christian doctrine of the trinity. He used the three leaf shamrock to represent how the father, son and holy spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity

Music

Music is often associated with St. Patrick's Day-and Irish culture in general. From ancient days of the Celts, music has always been an important part of Irish life. The Celts had an oral culture, where religion, legend, and history were passed from one generation to the next by way of stories and songs.

After being conquered by the English, and forbidden to speak their own language, the Irish, like other oppressed peoples, turned to music to help them remember important events and hold on to their heritage and history.

Irish music continues to enjoy universal appeal today. Their music is produced with instruments that have been used for centuries, including the fiddle, the uilleann pipes, a sort of elaborate bagpipe, the tin whistle, a sort of flute that is actually made of nickel-silver, brass, or aluminum, and the bodhran, an ancient type of framedrum that was traditionally used in warfare rather than music.

An Irish Blessing

Before the celebration begins, let's all raise our glasses and join in this well know Irish Blessing

An Irish Blessing

May the roads rise to meet you.

May the wind be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face.

The rain fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again,

May God Hold you in the palm of his hand.

Happy St. Patrick's Day Finest Friends.... Let the Celebration Begin!

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[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy St. Patty's Day !

It looks like Spring is almost here. Headin' for 80-83 degrees today !

[mountaineer]

It must be too early in the a.m. for green beer - that pic made my stomach do a flip-flop. It thought it was John Kerry for a moment there!

Good morning, finest folks!

[TexasCowboy]

"Old age is like a bank account: you withdraw from what you've put in."

WOW!!

POWERFUL!

Thank you!

[ohioWfan]

Morning mountaineer! Do you have any snow down there?

We're having a very WHITE St. Patrick's day here!

[LadyX]

Top of the mornin' to you, TC - at this end of life, we have more than a memory or two to run through our minds - lots of sights and sounds and good times to replay on our 'wide screen minds' - - - ..:))

I'm delighted that little Logan is doing so well, warmin' our hearts on this day of celebrating blessings!

[Pippin]

Top 'o the mornin' to ye all! :O)

Make this day a LOVELY day!

[mountaineer]

Just a coating of snow yesterday, followed by sleet and rain. Spring may make a sneak appearance this weekend, right on schedule.

[Pippin]

Howdy!

Can't you dye that white stuff green? ;O)

[Pippin]

GOOD MORNING!

[kellynla]

Top of the mornin' to you all.
If you care to read the history of St.Patrick himself here is the link. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11554a.htm

Have a grand day! Erin Go Braugh! Semper Fi, Kelly

[Calpernia]

(((Pippin!)))

Just a reminder, no one has been forgotten!

[ValerieUSA]

Good Morning
Beautiful Irish thread today.

[LadyX]

Rather obscured in our tendency to think this day of shamrocks and leprechauns, and perhaps a man who drove the snakes out of Ireland, here is a reminder of the 'Real Story' and Real Man behind it:

Saint Patrick - The Man Who Raised the Dead

HOW PATRICK WON DUBLIN TO THE LORD OR A QUICK WAY TO EVANGELIZE A CITY (Patrick A.D.389-461)

As Patrick came near to Dublin, at that time a small village, he prophesied, "That village which is now very small, shall hereafter become very eminent. it shall be enlarged in riches and dignity. Neither shall it cease to grow until it has become the principal seat of all the kingdom."

When the people of Dublin, having heard of the great signs and miracles that were done through Patrick, and when they saw that he was coming to that village, they went out to meet him.

At this time, Alphinus was the king over Dublin. He and all the citizens were in great sorrow, for the death of the king's two children. The king's only son, called Eochadh had died a natural death, in his bedroom. The king's daughter, and a sister to the young prince, had just been drowned, in the adjoining river, now known as the Liffey.

She had ventured into the deep part, for the purpose of bathing. Her name was Dublinia, and from her Dublin is thought to have derived its name. (Joceylyn note) The young lady's body was drawn out of the waters after some considerable search, and laid by her brother's corpse, in order that their funeral rites might be solemnized together.

According to the superstition of the pagans, the tombs were prepared. In the meantime, news was spread over all the city, that "St. Patrick, the potent reviver of many dead persons," (What a reputation!) had been seen in the town. For He, who burst asunder the gates of death and of hell, smoothed the path for His servant.

A GREAT HARVEST OF SOULS

The king and the people, who before had said to the Lord, "Depart from us, we will not acknowledge any of thy ways," were so cast down and saddened with grief, that all of their rebellion and all their barbarous rudeness, and all the pride of their idolatry, were utterly subdued.

The king, hearing of St. Patrick's arrival, greatly rejoiced, and caused him to come in, where his two children lay dead. He then promised, with all those present, if God restored his children to life, that he and all the citizens would become Christians. Seeing such a gain of souls, in the sight of the king, his nobles, and all the common people, Patrick raised from death to life those princely children, whose bodily resurrection co-operated much towards the spiritual resurrection of their father, with the rest of his people. The king and all his subjects, being astonished at this great miracle, turned away from the worship of idols, and they were baptized in the well (spring).

From that day the king and all the people worshiped God and gave liberally to Patrick, so that he was able to give to the poor in that place and in other places, and have enough to build churches.

(From Celtic Flames by Kathie Walters. Ref. Lives of the Irish Saints -O'Hanlon. Ecclesiastical History of Ireland, Rev. Dr. Lanigan. Sexta Vita S. Patricii, Joycelin notes.)

[Pippin]

GRRRR!

Thanks for the reminder! LOL!

[Mo1]

Is this better? :0)

[TexasCowboy]

And a good morning to ye, too, lass!

I was thinking just yesterday that I feel so sorry for the youngsters today.
They haven't built their memory bank yet.
They can't sit still for hours replaying that tape in the mind, each time delightfully discovering some little facet that has been overlooked in times past.

Thank you, dear Lord, for the memories.

[TexasCowboy]

Good mornin' to ye, Pip!
I love your tag line!

[ohioWfan]

LOL! I think I'd rather have the GREEN stuff start growing and the WHITE stuff go away!

[visualops]

Well geez I totally forgot LOL!
Shame on me, and I'm 1/2 Scots-Irish.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

[FreeTheHostages]

Funny, but I think this will match your WONDERFUL thread WONDERFULLY!