Pattern (devotional)
Encyclopedia
Pattern is an Irish
term meaning either a saint's
feast day
, or the various devotional activities that take place on the feast day at sites associated with the saint's life. It is thought to derive from the word patron, as in a patron saint
.
A notable example of a pattern takes place on the eve and day of July 24 at Saint Declan's Ardmore, County Waterford
. Patterns also take place in Tuosist
parish, near Kenmare
County Kerry, on July 8, the feast of Saint Killian, and at Urlaur
in County Mayo
on August 4.
Typically a pattern involved a procession by one or more communities to a nearby holy well
named for a saint; the water having medicinal healing properties. Patterns were a common part of Irish rural tradition until the reforms of Cardinal Cullen from the 1850s.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
term meaning either a saint's
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
feast day
Calendar of saints
The calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a liturgical year by associating each day with one or more saints and referring to the feast day of said saint...
, or the various devotional activities that take place on the feast day at sites associated with the saint's life. It is thought to derive from the word patron, as in a patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
.
A notable example of a pattern takes place on the eve and day of July 24 at Saint Declan's Ardmore, County Waterford
Ardmore, County Waterford
Ardmore is a fishing village in County Waterford, Ireland, not far from Youghal on the south coast of Ireland, with a population of around 330, although this varies with the tourist season. It is believed to be the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland...
. Patterns also take place in Tuosist
Tuosist
Tuosist is a parish in the far south of County Kerry, Ireland. It shares the Béara Peninsula with the neighbouring parishes of County Cork, and the Caha Mountains form the county border. The nearest town is Kenmare...
parish, near Kenmare
Kenmare
Kenmare is a small town in the south of County Kerry, Ireland. The name Kenmare is the anglicised form of Ceann Mara meaning "head of the sea", referring to the head of Kenmare Bay.-Location:...
County Kerry, on July 8, the feast of Saint Killian, and at Urlaur
Pattern of Urlaur
The Pattern of Urlaur is an annual festival held on August 4 at Urlaur, Kilmovee, County Mayo since mediaeval times, to remember the feast day of Saint Dominic...
in County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
on August 4.
Typically a pattern involved a procession by one or more communities to a nearby holy well
Holy well
A holy well, or sacred spring, is a small body of water emerging from underground and revered either in a Pagan or Christian context, often both. Holy wells were frequently pagan sacred sites that later became Christianized. The term 'holy well' is commonly employed to refer to any water source of...
named for a saint; the water having medicinal healing properties. Patterns were a common part of Irish rural tradition until the reforms of Cardinal Cullen from the 1850s.