It is said that in the 19th century, Ireland lost half its population to famine and emigration. At one time in our history as a nation, in that same period, fully half of all the immigrants entering the United States were Irishmen. They found work here as manual laborers on canals, railroads, streets, sewers, other construction projects and textile workers. Many of their wives took jobs as maids in middle-class households or hotels. They were not welcome in many places and those who could not find work lived in squalor.

But their predicament didn’t last long. By the turn of the twentieth century, the Irish had jobs and were earning pay equal to many of their neighbors. Five out of six policemen in New York City and Boston were Irish. By the end of World War II, the Irish found themselves climbing to the top of the social hierarchy. Without a doubt, part of the reason was education. And it continues to remain a key to success in our society. I believe that so deeply that I have made it a theme of much of my activity this year, including the “Bishop’s Annual Appeal.”

Reminds me of a little story. Three priests die on the same day and go to heaven. A Vincentian, a Dominican and, of course, a Jesuit. St. Peter meets them at the pearly gates and says, “We have a custom in heaven, in honor of the Trinity, that when three priests die on the same day, they are transported back to any scene in the life of Christ that they agree to and choose.” The three priests have a huddle and tell St. Peter that they want to go back to see the birth of Christ, the nativity of that first Christmas Day. And off they go. The Vincentian falls on his knees in tears, he is so overwhelmed. The Dominican pulls out his rosary and begins praying with great emotion. The Jesuit, very calmly, walks up to St. Joseph and says, “Have you thought about a school for the boy?”

Today is about St. Patrick. We owe the day to him. But so much else we owe to the Irish who followed him in the early part of the last century. The fact of the matter is, we know little about St. Patrick – most of what we celebrate is the subject of myths and legends. Where and when he was born, where and when he died – this is all subject to speculation and debate among the scholars. What we do know is that sometime, somehow, someway St. Patrick brought a pagan nation to God. He wrote that, while in the monastery in France, he had a dream and heard a voice “calling me back to the Irish.” St. Patrick later reflected in his Confession:

"I came to the Irish people to preach the Gospel and endure the taunts of unbelievers, putting up with reproaches about my earthly pilgrimage, suffering many persecutions, even bondage, and losing my birthright of freedom for the benefit of others. If I am worthy, I am ready to give up my life without hesitation and most willingly for the sake of his name."

That little passage says much about St. Patrick. But it also reveals something of the character he inspired in his beloved Irish people. Eagerness to preach good news in faith. Willingness to confront disbelief. Tested by the rejection and persecution of others. An unrelenting capacity to sacrifice for the greater good. Concern for the benefit of the neighbor. An unconditional commitment unto death for the sake of God and his holy name. This has been our history. This is St. Patrick. This is the Irish people. This is the day we celebrate. This is what our world needs now, more than ever. Let us pledge to one another that we will be this kind of Catholic, whether “wearing the green” today as Irishmen or not.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day.