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St Patrick Day Traditions

March 16, 2012 by · Comments Off on St Patrick Day Traditions 

St Patrick Day Traditions, As people across the nation sport four-leaf clovers and sip green beer Saturday, a handful pay homage to the true tradition of St. Patrick’s Day. The holiday, which is now commercialized and synonymous with parties and drinking, is actually steeped in religion.

It honors a man who was abducted from his native Scotland, abused and enslaved in Ireland. He later returned to Ireland as a Christian apostle, spreading God’s word in the country where he endured struggles and personal pain.

For that reason, many churches across the nation, and some in Bowling Green, use the holiday to remind people of the man’s actions and his sacrifice.

“I think more than anything else, he leaves us a legacy of someone who was totally committed to the faith,” said the Rev. Jerry Riney of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. “He was just tireless in his desire to teach people about God … he was also fearless in challenging people against greed and violence.”

Patrick was born in A.D. 385 and was 14 years old when he was kidnapped and enslaved in Ireland. About 10 years later, he escaped and returned to his family in Scotland. Soon, something triggered a deep connection to his faith, and Patrick entered the seminary. When he was ordained as a priest, he asked to return to Ireland, Riney said.

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