Top o’ the morning to you, lads and lasses!
I cannot believe it’s already March! This year has flown by so far. As you surely know, March brings a very special holiday for many, whether they be Irish or just fans of festivities.
This year, Provident would like to help get our customers in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day by sharing a little history of the holiday and…dun dun dun…giving away some gold!
Patrick (no known last name has been recorded) was born to a British family, rich in theology. At age 16, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and taken to work in Northern Ireland for six years as a shepherd. During his enslavement, he developed his spiritual life and converted to Christianity. After six years of arduous labor, Patrick heard a voice telling him he was to be delivered from captivity by a ship.
Patrick fled from his captors to find the ship, and he was indeed rescued and returned home. Not long after he returned home, Patrick had a vision in which he believed God told him he needed to return to the land of his captors and share the gospel with those he should abhor.
Obediently, Patrick did return to Northern Ireland and led thousands to Christ. According to historical documents, Patrick used a shamrock to illustrate the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish people.
Surprisingly, Patrick was never formally canonized by the Catholic church, though, he has been widely regarded as a saint since his death on March 17, 460.
In the late 9th century, St. Patrick’s Day was developed as a way to pay homage to the man who conquered bitterness to spread the gospel. While traditions vary from country to country, St. Patrick’s Day is a well-loved holiday, universally.
In the United States, we employ many cultural stereotypes on St. Patrick’s Day; we use copious amounts of green decorations, shamrocks, leprechauns, and pots o’ gold to show off Irish pride.
While there might not be a connection between St. Patrick and leprechauns and pots of gold, learning their Irish history is interesting. According to Irish lore, the leprechauns found gold left by Viking plunderers when the (to them) giants abandoned their land. To protect their treasure, they would bury their pots of gold. If you could find the end of a rainbow, you would stumble upon the gold. While this is a fun story, science tells us rainbows are actually circles, so good luck searching!
You might not find a pot of gold, but Provident would like to give you the chance to win a gold bar! Simply comment below, and let me know how you plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. One winner will randomly be chosen on March 17, 2017 to receive a 1 Gram Gold Bar from PAMP Suisse! Comments must be placed by March 16 at 11:59 PM.
Here’s hoping you have the luck of the Irish and enjoy a little bit o’ gold!
Happy Stacking!
-J
Lew says
I will be with family and enjoying all the corned beef since my wife just went vegan happy saint Patrick’s day to all!!
Orville Humphries says
So how do we find out who won?
ProvidentMetals.com says
The winner was already contacted. We’ll be doing a giveaway each month, so please check back and continue entering for your chance to win!
Michael Carroll says
I will take my family out to dinner and a movie because I take the day off every year at this time and will be wearing green HAPPY ST PATRICK’S DAY!!
Chris Spankuch says
I’ll probably forget it’s St Patrick’s day and come home from work with a bunch of pinch welts because I didn’t wear green
Kenny says
With black and tan and corned beef.
ProvidentMetals.com says
A bold choice, though some may prefer the shamrock to the black and tan.
Ted says
Try to find a leprechaun to hangout with,and
Keep my eye open for the brinks truck!!!
suzanne shafritz says
Bless you for this and Happy St Patrick’s Day. I will probably shoveling out from a snowstorm for part of the day and maybe finish it with a hot toddy of some sort. maybe hot cocoa with an Irish twist :0) <3 Id love to win this contest too. That would make it my fav St Patty's ever!
Mary says
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day