St. Patrick's Day

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Today, we celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick, who has a remarkable story. As one who was taken away from his family in Great Britain at a very young age and became a slave of Ireland, he remained faithful to God. It states in the first verse of today’s Responsorial Psalm, “Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night.” St. Patrick made it a point to pray despite his difficulties and followed God’s calling of him to escape Ireland and become a missionary in France. He then became a devout leader of the faith when he went back to Ireland and proclaimed his faith to the Irish people. All this was made possible by his complete trust in the Lord, which is what today’s first reading and Responsorial Psalm touch upon. In the First Reading taken from the prophet Jeremiah, it says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green…”

As we continue to prepare for the death and Resurrection of our Lord this season of Lent and as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day wearing green to indicate that spring is nearby, may we with the intercession of St. Patrick, continue to trust in the Lord completely who planted us. Give us the strength, courage, and wisdom to follow and answer the Lord’s call upon us to be His disciples by our leaves remaining green, even in the most difficult of times, seasons, and situations that challenge us to grow and to help others grow closer to Him. We pray this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daniel Cutrone, SFC '24