St Patrick

Résumé du document

It is difficult to retrace the life of Saint Patrick, because no one is sure of the exactness of the events. Indeed, the punctuality of the facts is mixed up by a lot of legends. The historical marks are not sure and it is difficult to extract the reality of the facts. This is why it is said about Saint Patrick, what it is quite sure about him: Maewyn Succat (he adopted Patrick upon becoming a priest) was born in Scotland (in the Clyde Valley, near Dumbarton) between 385 and 390 (it is not sure, other documents tell us that he was born in 377, or 415). His parents were Calphurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britain. When he was sixteen years old, Irish pirates, under their leader, Niall of the Nine Hostages, abducted him. He was taken to Ireland, where he stayed as a slave during six years. He was working for a druid; he was a shepherd on the slopes of Slemish Mountain in Country Antrim, in Ulster. During this time, he prayed to the Christian God while captive in a pagan land. After six years, an angel came to him in a dream, prompting him to escape and seek out his homeland. After travelling for more than 200 miles by foot, he travelled eventually on a boat, across the Irish Sea. His first destination was Britain but he settled in Gaul and became a very religious person. He trained as a monk during twenty years in Marmoutier Abbey, and took the name of Patrick.

Extraits

[...] An old legend says it can break a wicked spirit spell. Irish people say that the shamrock is a remedy against snake's bites. Tradition dictates that a shamrock must be floated on the whiskey before drinking, hence the expression drowning the shamrock Irish people are proud of the shamrock. As well, they pay tribute to Saint Patrick's Christian mission by doing pilgrimages on the Croagh Patrick, thousands of pilgrims climb the mountain every year, the last Sunday of July. Many people are in bare feet to climb the mountain steep slopes, which rises 463 meters. [...]

[...] Now, it is called Croagh Patrick or " the sacred mountain of Ireland". He died in 491, the 17th of March, and was buried in Downpatrick's cemetery (Northern Ireland), where a large slab of rock, on which the word Patrick is written, protects grave” of Patrick. Posthumously, he became Ireland's patron saint responsible for the conversion of the island to Christianity. The date of his death is now a public holiday in Ireland, it is very important for Irish people to pay tribute to Saint Patrick this day. [...]

[...] St Patrick Summary Who was Saint Patrick? Myths about Saint Patrick Saint Patrick in the Irish tradition Saint Patrick's Day Conclusion Personal commentary Bibliography Who was saint Patrick ? It is difficult to retrace the life of Saint Patrick, because no one is sure of the exactness of the events. Indeed, the punctuality of the facts is mixed up by a lot of legends. The historical marks are not sure and it is difficult to extract the reality of the facts. [...]

[...] This day, they can really be proud of being Irish, when we see the extent of the events. Also, I think Irish people, perhaps unconsciously, liken Saint Patrick's Day to a national cause, against English and Protestant forces of occupation. Bibliography -Jean GUIFFAN (1992), Histoire de l'Irlande, Hatier. -François MOAL (1998), Histoire de l'Irlande, ce pays au delà de la mer, Editions de la Plomée. [...]

[...] The national holiday of Ireland is the holiday the more celebrated, and any other country can pretend to be as popular as Ireland one day a year. It is impressive to see all this people paying tribute to Saint Patrick. And not only Irish people; a lot of lovers of Irish music or dances (or also beer join the festivities with pleasure. Besides, I think Irish people are lucky to have a so profound culture, a world-wide event in honour of them. [...]