Bishop Fintan Monahan of Killaloe shares a special reflection with us for Saint Patrick’s Day 2019 on how this feast day offers us an opportunity to celebrate the distinct spirituality of Saint Patrick, our Patron Saint. The reflection can be heard on this week’s Faithcast podcast or by clicking on the link below:
Saint Patrick’s Day is a day to celebrate the distinct spirituality of Saint Patrick – A Reflection from Bishop Fintan Monahan for Saint Patrick’s Day 2019
A feast day of National and International Celebration
The feast of our National Patron, Lá Fhéile Pádraig is an occasion worthy of great celebration. It’s a great day in which we celebrate what it means to be Irish and what it means to have faith. It doesn’t matter whether you are an Irish Person in Ennis, Boston, Kilburn or Sydney, the feast of St. Partrick is observed with delight and celebration. Lá mór cheiliúradh atá againn inniu!
Ceiliúradh Gaelach
Déanann muid ceiliúradh inniu ar chultúr agus oidhreacht na hÉireann, An Creideamh, Ceol, Rince, Amhránaíocht, Filíocht, Teanga, chomh maith le cluichí Gaelacha, Peil, Iománaíocht agus liathróid láimhe.
Sporting Occasions
St. Patrick’s day has become synonymous in recent years, apart from parades with the club All Ireland Gaelic finals and other sporting events. Best wishes to all participants!
Celebration of Faith!
Of course one of the main reasons we gather in worship on St. Patrick’s day is to celebrate the man who brought the treasure of the Christian faith to our land way back in the 4 hundreds, St. Patrick, himself. Cuimhníonn muid ar Naomh Pádraig, guíonn muid chuige agus tugann muid omós cuí dó!
Spirituality of Saint Patrick
We are lucky to have in both the precious documents The Confessions of St. Patrick and his Letter to Corroticus a window or insight into his faith and Spirituality. Creideamh agus Spioradáltacht Naomh Pádraig, sna cáipéisí, ársa beannaithe sin.
Faith in Jesus Christ
In these two documents we capture a sense of his love for and phenomenal faith in Jesus Christ. Creideamh in Íosa Críost.
Shamrock and the Trinity
We get a sense of his love for the expression of God as Trinity and of course the symbol of the shamrock is used so often to explain this deep mystery of the way God relates to us. Rúndiamhar na Tríonóide! Teaghlach an ghrá á léiriú dúinn tríd an Athar, Mac agus Spiorad Naomh!
Personal Prayer
In those two letters we also get a great insight into his huge dedication to personal prayer, penance, his humility, awareness of his own sinfulness, throwing himself totally at the mercy of God. Guí pearsanta, úirísleacht, aithrí trócaire Dé.
Love of Nature
The fact that St. Patrick spent so much of his time on Croagh Patrick, Máméan and other ancient religious locations in our beautiful country shows his deep love of nature and it being a reflection of the beauty and love of God. Dúlra agus áileacht na hÉireann mar mhacalla ar Dhia!
Missionary zeal
The work and mission of Saint Patrick here gives us an indication of the importance of the centrality of sharing, celebrationg and spreading the faith not only in Ireland but to the ends of the world. Craobhscaoileadh an tsoiscéal agus an Creideamh, luachmhar Chríostúil!
Críost Liom, Críost Romham
My own Episcopal Motto happens to be the first couple of phrases of St. Patrick’s Breastplate, Críost Liom, Críost Romham a beautiful Christocentric prayer the gives a sense of St. Patrick’s closeness to and devotion to Jeus Christ.
Ag cuimhniú ar hImircí
Saint Patrick’s day is a day to celebrate that distinct spirituality of St. Patrick. It is also a day that we remember emigrants away from home. May they continue to be safe and always proud and happy to be part of what makes it special to be Irish especially the wonderful Christian faith that St. Patrick brought to us so many centuries ago.
Final Greetings and Blessings for the Festival
I take this opportunity to wish you a most enjoyable day, a hearty celebration and an outstanding holiday weekend. Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh ar fad agus gura seacht fearr a bheas muid bliain ón lá inniu!
ENDS
