Doctrinal Clarity, Not Change: Unpacking the Note on Marian Titles

How many of us arose today and designed what we were wearing around the color green? Of course it is St. Patrick's Day which is celebrated as a secular holiday in the U.S. but is observed with great solemnity in Ireland, where he is regarded as the patron saint of the entire country. St. Patrick came from a religious family, his father was a deacon and his grandfather was a priest in the Catholic Church. This was in a time period before celibacy was required for men to become Catholic priests. His early life was not markedly Catholic but he did find God eventually and when he did, it was incredible.About the year 442, tradition tells us, Patrick went to Rome and met Pope Leo the Great, who, it seemed, took special interest in the Irish Church. The time had now come for a definite organization according to the annals of Ulster, the cathedral church of Armagh was founded as the primatial see of Ireland on Patrick's return. He brought back with him valuable relics. Latin was established as the language of the Irish Church. There is mention of a synod held by Patrick, probably at Armagh. The rules then adopted are still preserved, with, possibly, some later interpolations. It is believed that this synod was called near the close of Patrick's labors on earth. The story of his forty-day fast on Croagh Patrick and the privileges he won from God by his prayers is also associated with the end of his life. Tirechan tells it thus: "Patrick went forth to the summit of Mount Agli, and remained there for forty days and forty nights, and the birds were a trouble to him, and he could not see the face of the heavens, the earth, or the sea, on account of them; for God told all the saints of Erin, past, present, and future, to come to the mountain summit-that mountain which overlooks all others, and is higher than all the mountains of the West-to bless the tribes of Erin, so that Patrick might see the fruit of his labors, for all the choir of the saints came to visit him there, who was the father of them all."Patrick died about 461, and was buried near the fortress of Saul, in the vicinity of the future cathedral town of Down. He was intensely spiritual, a magnetic personality with great gifts for action and organization. He brought Ireland into much closer contact with Europe, especially with the Holy See. The building up of the weak Christian communities which he found on arrival and planting the faith in new regions give him his place as the patron of Ireland. His feast day is one of festivity, and widely observed. Patrick's emblems are a serpent, demons, cross, shamrock, harp, and baptismal font. Now you know why you are wearing green today. Hopefully you did it to honor one of God's great servants. As Catholics we should attempt to remind everyone of the great man that Patrick became because he trusted the Lord. His example is not honored by green beer and drunken stupidity but by emulating his example of trying to bring all people to Christ.