From Wikipedia on the subject…
Much of what is known about Saint Patrick comes from the Declaration, which was allegedly written by Patrick himself. It is believed that he was born in Roman Britain in the fourth century, into a wealthy Romano-British family. His father was a deacon and his grandfather was a priest in the Christian church. According to the Declaration, at the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Gaelic Ireland. It says that he spent six years there working as a shepherd and that during this time he “found God”. The Declaration says that God told Patrick to flee to the coast, where a ship would be waiting to take him home. After making his way home, Patrick went on to become a priest.
And this, apparently, from the same Wiki page, speaks to the subject of wearing green…
On St Patrick’s Day it is customary to wear shamrocks and/or green clothing or accessories (the “wearing of the green”). St Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish. This story first appears in writing in 1726, though it may be older.
This is all well and good but the day is almost over, most of the work is done, my throat is extremely dry, the last conference call of the day ends at 5:30pm and it’s time to go out and have yourself a green beer with some friends.
I’m away from home on business so I’ll just have to pretend… to have friends. The green beer is still a possibility.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!
the dan blog 