St. Patrick saves the day

I recall that there was a book published a few years ago titled "How the Irish Saved Civilization". This post is not about that. As previously mentioned on this illustrious blog, I have given up beer for Lent. I'm not entirely sure that this bit of self-flagellation is bringing me any closer to Our Lord and Saviour, but I've held myself together so far, and have no intention of giving in. My Irish colleague, Aidan, just came by to discuss plans for Saint Patrick's Day. Aidan and I, along with our Scottish colleague Craig and a few others, celebrated last year's Saint's day with such religious fervor that your average bearded fundamentalist would be proud. But, with my fasting going strong, I had to decline Aidan's invitation for an encore. The Irishman would have none of that. He told me that it's 'perfectly acceptable' for the average denizen of the emerald isle to break their fast for Saint Patrick's day. As a descendant of intrepid Irish settlers to the new world, I am expected to hold true to the beliefs and traditions of my ancestors. Furthermore, St. Patrick's is a religious festival in which consumption of beer is another way of bringing Man and God into spiritual union. Thank you Aidan, ancestors, and brewers. And thank you, Saint Patrick. Thank God for the Irish.