Saint Pádraig, the patron saint of Ireland, was from a Roman-era British family, born in (it is speculated) 385 AD. His father was a deacon and his grandfather a priest. At sixteen, Patrick was kidnapped and shipped as a slave to Ireland where he spent six years as a shepherd. In his Confessio, his spiritual autobiography, he recounts a dream in which God instructed him to escape and head for the coast where a boat would be waiting for him. He did as he was instructed and returned to Britain where he joined the seminary, preparing to take holy orders for the priesthood.
In 432, now a bishop, Patrick returned to Ireland, answering a calling to convert the Irish pagans to Christianity. Irish folklore tells of Saint Patrick driving Ireland’s snakes into the sea and of using a three-leafed clover to explain the concept of the Trinity. After three decades of evangelizing, it is believed that Saint Patrick died in Ireland on 17 March 461. He is venerated by the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox churches.
In the 17th century, the Roman Catholic church dedicated 17 March as a feast day in honor of Patrick. It is also celebrated with parades and parties—in Ireland and throughout the Irish diaspora.
Interestingly, Saint Patrick was never officially canonized as a saint, having lived well before the Church established a formal canonization process (in 993 AD). Before then, saints (especially martyrs) were declared so "by popular acclaim." This means that local populations (and their clergy) would begin venerating their holy departed, a process referred to as "local canonization.". It wasn't until the Turn-of-the-Millennium that the Church took control of the process by instituting an official canonization process. As for those early saints (which includes the Apostles and other significant people), the Church does recognize them—and even has feast days for them—without undergoing the formal canonization process.
The "Celtic Kells" bowl, shown above, was made in the Sixties by the English pottery company, Wade, in Ulster, Northern Ireland. The scrolling Celtic Knots are inspired by the Book of Kells—the illuminated manuscript held at Trinity College, Dublin. Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome bowl.
Erin go bragh!
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.