Cardinal presides over St. Patrick's Day service

Cardinal Sean O'Malley blessed and distributed shamrocks today at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

By Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff

To mark St. Patrick's Day, Cardinal Sean O'Malley today blessed and distributed shamrocks to commemorate the patron saint of the archdiocese at a Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. The noon Mass was celebrated as a part of Holy Week, which culminates with Easter Sunday.

According to the Vatican, St. Patrick was born in Great Britain about the year 385. He was taken captive and smuggled to Ireland as a slave to work as a herdsman. St. Patrick escaped form his captors, became a priest, and eventually ascended to bishop of Ireland, where he converted scores to Catholicism.

The Vatican account, which notes that St. Patrick died in 461, does not mention the legend that credits the saint with banishing snakes from the Emerald Isle. According to lore, he stood on a hill and used a staff to herd the slithering serpents into the sea. Many consider the tale to be a metaphor for St. Patrick driving pagan religions out the country. (The lack of snakes in Ireland can more likely be attributed to the fact that it is an island.)

The account of St. Patrick on the Vatican website does include a reading from the Confession of St. Patrick, which can be found here:

I came to the Irish heathens to preach the Good News and to put up with insults from unbelievers. I heard my mission abused, I endured many persecutions even to the extent of chains; I gave up my free-born status for the good of others. Should I be worthy I am ready to give even my life, promptly and gladly, for his name; and it is there that I wish to spend it until I die, if the Lord should graciously allow me.

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