Who Was St. Mel?

February in our community has rightly been centered on St. Brigid. I grew up with another Irish saint, whose feast is also in February, the 7^th. St. Mel, the nephew of Saint Patrick, who succeeded St. Patrick as bishop of Ireland. Have you heard of him?

He came to my attention long ago because I went to St. Mel Grade School on Triskett in West Park. The funny (strange) thing to me was, I never remember learning about St. Mel, while at St. Mel. Even now, when I try to learn about him, there is no biographical reference to St. Mel in the church of St. Mel. Just a very cool statue in the back.

The pastor, who oversees St Mel and St. Mark parishes, could only refer me to Wikipedia. The St. Mel Parish 50^th anniversary book I had in my archives makes no reference to who he was, what he did or was known for, why St. Mel’s was named after St. Mel … no reference at all. Years later, the weekly bulletin started carrying a few sentences that he was the nephew of St. Patrick.

While I attended St. Mel, I found a small book called, The Parish of St. Mel, By John O’Brien. It is a book of poetry, not a book about St. Mel.

I researched St. Mel online and found a small bit about him in Ireland, and his history, but, I was definitely left wanting.

Wiki says Mel is the patron saint of the Roman Catholic diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. Mél’s feast day, 7 February, has begun to be observed as a holiday for single people. “Saint Mél’s Day” is a chance for singles to celebrate the good things about being single. Traditions include sending yourself a Saint Mél’s Day card and for people to host parties for their single friends.

Ah HA! So that’s why I fell connected to him!

Next Month Is THE Month

We will feature the honorees, a bit about them and why they were selected, plus many of the events that add so much to the green season. It is always the largest and probably the “funnest” issue of the year.

Like everyone, we are managing carefully as we move toward digital. If you would like to know what that could look like specifically for you – let’s take a look – would you like to Zoom, phone or meet?

If you are putting on an event(s), running for election or want to congratulate those being honored, you have until February 8^th (ish) to get your copy in to be included in the March issue ~ don’t be late!

iIrish is made in America. We have always been green and are proudly Irish, all year long.