Today we celebrate the feast of St. Patrick, the fifth-century Bishop who is most well-known for preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland and using the shamrock for teaching the Doctrine of the Trinity. Of course, there are the well-known legends associated with St. Patrick, that he rid Ireland of its serpents and that he met with the chieftain of the Druid tribe who had been trying to kill him. There are his real-life experiences: that he was actually born in Roman Britain; that as a teenager, he was taken captive by pirates and brought to Ireland; that he worked as a shepherd. Though St. Patrick dwelled in a pagan land, he gave his heart to God. He would often steel away in the night – even amidst snow, ice and rain – to pray in the woods or on mountaintops.

Once, many years ago, I ran/hiked to the top of one of those mountains with Quinn, a running buddy from Pittsburgh. The 2,5076-foot peak over Clew Bay, was once a part of an ancient pagan pilgrimage route and a site for celebrating the start of the harvest season. It is known by locals as Ireland’s “Holy Mountain” or “The Reek.” The mountain received its true fame, however, and its most fitting name, “Croagh Patrick,” because it is believed that St. Patrick hiked to the top and fasted there for forty days. Today, pilgrims come from all over the world, and make the trek, barefoot, no matter what the conditions, to the top of the mountain. Each one follows in the footsteps of this humble and courageous saint, who even while having endured much suffering throughout his life, was moved by such love and trust for God. In turn, God worked such wonders through him and won many souls for Christ.

As we continue to make our pilgrimage throughout these forty days, and as we are traversing the mountains in life’s path, let’s count on the prayers and intercession of St. Patrick, and perhaps today pray with his own words:

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ in me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right,

Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down,

Christ when I sit down,

Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every person who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the Threeness,

Through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.

While we’re thinking about St. Patrick’s Day and Ireland – I heard that Derry Girls Season 3 might be coming sometime soon. Can’t wait!