My father, Victor, was born in Ireland and was a fiddler who played with the popular - "Jolly Millers" - in Hog's Hollow in the West End of Toronto many years ago.
On occasion, he even got down with well-known celebrated Canadian musician - Don Messer - who had a popular variety show on the CBC in his heyday.
My father's family immigrated to Canada around the turn of the century, and settled in York County, in the Toronto area.
So, that makes me Irish in decent.
Obviously, I'm inclined to get out and celebrate St. Patrick's Day this evening...as any self-respecting Irishman should, no matter how weak the bloodline!
God knows, the Irish like to party-hearty, eh?
I expect a number of revelers will be dancing the jig and singing a glorious round of - "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" - around the Nation today.
And, I just betcha, after a few tipsy laddies have downed a green ale or two, they may go off on a wild jaunt in search of a leprechaun or two - and that elusive pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
They can dream, can't they?
St. Patrick, an Apostle of Ireland, was born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton (Scotland) in the year 387.
St. Patrick is believed to have driven the snakes from Ireland.
Once a pagan himself, St. Patrick is one of Christianity's most widely-known figures.
At age fourteen, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. During that era, the country was a land populated by Druids and pagans, so Patrick learned the language and practices of those people.
During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer.
In one moment of reflection, he wrote,
"The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same. I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."
Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty. He escaped his captors 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.
In another prophetic dream, Patrick saw a vision of Ireland, where the people were calling out to him,
"We beg you, Holy youth, to come and walk among us once more."
He began his studies for the priesthood shortly after that event, and was later ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years.
In a short time, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland.
He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane.
One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill him. By a show of mystical power, Patrick was able to convert Dichu (the chieftain) to Christianity.
Patrick preached the Gospel throughout Ireland - and by way of his message - was able to convert many...including Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms.
Patrick not only worked many miracles, but also wrote of his love for God in "Confessions".
After years of living in poverty, traveling, and enduring much suffering...he died March 17th (461) at Saul, where he built the first church.
St. Patrick's Day is honored on March 17th, 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.
The modern secular holiday is based on the original Christian Saint's feast day also thought to be the date of the Saint's death.
In 1737, Irish immigrants to the United States began observing the holiday publicly in Boston.
Today, the tradition continues with people from all walks and heritages by wearing green, eating Irish food, and attending parades.
St. Patrick's Day is bursting with folklore; from shamrocks (which represent the Holy Trinity) to the tradition of pinching those that are not wearing green.
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.
The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place in the United States, not Ireland. 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.
Some say, the Irish are favored by the Lord.
May the luck of the Irish be with you, now and always!
