They say that “Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!” Indeed, everyone seems to dress in green and celebrate regardless of nationality. As a Nigerian, even I can claim St. Patrick as a Patron Saint.
However, it is easy to get caught up in the revelry and secularism and forget that St. Patrick’s Day is a Christian feast day, celebrating the life of St Patrick and the spreading of Christianity to Ireland and through missionary work to many other parts of Africa.
As Christians, we are all called to follow in the footsteps of St Patrick and share the faith he passed on to us and to follow his example in trying to understand and help the needs of others.
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh go léir.
Fr. Richard Filima
Society Leader