St. Patrick's Day

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man pays tribute to Saint Patrick. Saint Patrick provides great inspiration toward my yard safety awareness campaign. Indeed, grass is green. The green in the Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man color scheme (red, yellow, and green) represents my appreciation for nature and my faith in advancing yard safety awareness on behalf of God. I appreciate the many efforts and contributions of Saint Patrick. I share below a few excerpts about Saint Patrick - a great man who delivered divine works on behalf of God.

Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born, probably in Roman Britain, about AD 385, and was originally called Maewyn. At the age of 16, he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders that raided his village. Having been a pagan before, he became closer to Christianity during his captivity. He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre for a period of twelve years. During his training he became aware that his calling was to convert the pagans to Christianity. He wished to return to Ireland and to convert the native pagans to Christianity, but his superiors instead appointed St. Palladius. However, two years later Palladius transferred to Scotland. Patrick, having adopted that Christian name earlier, was then appointed as second bishop to Ireland. Patrick was quite successful at winning converts which upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion of the Irish country to Christianity. His mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. After that time, Patrick retired to County Down. He died on March 17 in AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since.

Much Irish folklore surrounds St. Patrick's Day. Some of this lore includes the belief that Patrick raised people from the dead. He also is said to have given a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the snakes from Ireland, although paleontologists have pointed out that no snakes were ever native to Ireland. (In response, some scholars say the snake story was a metaphor for the conversion of the pagans.) Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday.

One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. This stems from a more bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.

The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737, the first year St. Patrick's Day was publicly celebrated, in Boston, Massachusetts. Today, people celebrate the day with parades, wearing green, and drinking beer.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man emphasizes that if you drink alcohol beyond the legal driving limit, then do not drive drunk. Also, if you are not driving, Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man recommends that if you drink alcohol, then drink in moderation. Also, Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man suggests that you be good to your body temple and do not pollute the environment of other people around you. Keep St. Patrick's Day green - not red!

Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man
http://www.rescuerick.com
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