17 March 2010, 11:11 am
Mobile, Alabama is home of the largest population of practicing Catholics in Alabama. St. Patrick's Day being a traditional Catholic holiday named for St. Patrick will be celebrated today in the Port City by many. There will be parades and social events at all local Irish bars such as Callaghan's a mid-town landmark. The green beer and good times will be flowing into the streets all day long.
St. Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the fifth century where at age sixteen he was captured by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland. He was lead by God in a dream to flee captivity in the middle of the night to the coast there he found a ship and returned to Britain. Upon retuning he joined the Church of Auxerre in Gaul and studied to be a priest.
In 432 he was called by God back to Ireland to serve as a bishop. His mission was to convert all of Ireland to Christianity which he was successful in it is said he saved Ireland. The Shamrock became a teaching tool for St. Patrick he used it to teach of the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). St. Patrick died March 17, 461 AD and was buried at Downpatrick.
Many in the Catholic Church have had concerns about the perception of St. Patrick's Day. Fr. Vincent Twomey stated that, "it is time to reclaim St Patrick's Day as a church festival". He questioned the need for "mindless alcohol-fuelled revelry" and concluded that, "it is time to bring the piety and the fun together". So on a day celebrating the life of a Saint remember he dedicated his life to saving souls not drinking green beer.
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