THE EMERALD ISLE

[Photo: Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. On one tourism website we read: “On the west coast of Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher are one of the most outstanding coastal features of Ireland and biggest Tourist Attraction. A visit to these cliffs should not be missed.” I visited this place in July 27, 2009.]

What comes to my mind when I hear the name “Ireland”? Eire. It is the Irish Gaelic name for Ireland. I learned about it in a crossword puzzle. Its poetic name is Emerald isle because of its green countryside. Ireland is home to leprechauns. They are a kind of fairy in Irish folklore who takes on the appearance of an old man dressed in green or red coat. They are supposed to be keeping a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The NBA team from Massachusetts is called the Boston Celtics because Boston like New York is home to the Irish.

History tells us that the Irish together with the Poles and Italians were the three European nations that produced the greatest number of migrant workers. While poverty was the common reason for their migration, the great potato famine of 1845-1852 also contributed to that of the Irish. That famine killed a million people. An equal number left for friendlier locations outside the country.

New York is home to St. Patrick’s cathedral. Every year 5.5 million visitors pass through its bronze doors. Every year too New York hosts the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It was started in 1766 by the Irish military men serving in the American colonies. On that day New York might not color the city green but they make sure the river turns green-literally!

Although a Scot by birth St. Patrick is acknowledged as the apostle of Ireland. He converted all of Ireland after forty years of preaching. Many stories surround his preaching ministry. According to a one legend, St. Patrick was traveling and happened upon a number of Irish chieftains along a meadow. The tribal leaders were curious about the Trinity and asked St. Patrick for an explanation. So he bent down, picked a shamrock, and showed it to them, and explained how the three leaflets form one leaf. Similarly the three Persons, Father, Son, and Spirit, form one Supreme Being. For this reason the shamrock has become a symbol both for the Holy Trinity and St. Patrick and eventually of the Irish.

One interesting fact about Ireland is that it has no snakes. Legend has it that St. Patrick banished all the snakes from Ireland. And it was to this legend that one of our Irish confreres alluded to when he answered my query. “Father, is it true that St. Patrick drove away all the snakes from Ireland?” And with his typical dry humor he answered: “Yes. And that’s why I’m here.”

The Irish Redemptorists have left an indelible imprint in the heart of the Filipino people—the devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The center of this devotion is the shrine in Baclaran. It is one of the largest Marian churches in the Philippines, authorized by the Holy See to remain open 7 days a week for 24 hours a day. In that church we find one of the most venerated and celebrated Marian images in the country, the icon of “Ina ng Laging Saklolo”. (Wikipedia) In this tagalong translation of Mary’s title we find the secret behind the irresistible attraction of Baclaran. While the West refers to Mary as “Our Lady”, Filipinos look on her as “Ina” (Mother). And because she is “ina”, she can always be counted on for help (perpetual help) in time of need. And this is why Filipinos love her and why Filipinos have been called “un pueblo amante de Maria”.