Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Today everything is green, rivers are dyed green, people wear green, green carnations are worn, leprechauns are everywhere, parades, parties, dinners, and more are scheduled. As is often heard, “It’s a great day for the Irish!”
What does it mean to be Irish? Sigmund Freud stated: “This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever.” I’m not convinced Freud is correct, but being Irish, I find myself not offended by his words but kind of proud.
Growing up in an Irish family as one of eight kids, I remember my father often saying, “Remember you’re a Loughran, you’re Irish, and your Catholic.” My family’s life was centered on those three maxims. Our life was immersed in the life of our parish. Our friends were all Catholic. All six boys were altar servers, and the sacraments of initiation, Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation were our rights of passage. Every one of us attended our parish school and the local Catholic high school, which for us meant a trip of 12 miles each way. It was unthinkable that we would consider not doing so. The public schools were nice, but not for Catholics. The Irish are a Catholic people; it’s ingrained into the culture.
St. Francis encourages us to find holiness wherever God has planted us. I indeed came to faith in the life my Irish family provided me as a child and a young adult. Today, no matter what nationality, race, or ethnic roots we have, it is a good time for us to be grateful for those who opened up our hearts and nourished our souls with the grace of God’s love and mercy. Remember them today and raise your heart in a prayer of gratitude for them.
God be Blessed! I think even God is Irish today.
Fr. Jack Loughran, OSFS
Provincial
Toledo-Detroit Province
