I was at a reading last evening for “Stalking Irish Madnes: Tracing the Roots of My Family’s Schizophrenia” by Patrick Tracey. One of the members of the audience made an interesting comment about the revered Saint Patrick.
He pointed out that the Patron Saint of Ireland was a missionary who was born into a Roman-Britain family who went to Ireland to work his miracles in a land of fairies and leprechauns.
Then he asked, “If he was from Rome, doesn’t that make him an Italian? And didn’t he then bring with him a multiple culture that may have endowed him with multiple personalities?”
Patrick Tracey took off his shoe and in a tossing gesture said, “Watch what you say about our Saint.” The moment was a fun one, which broke the tension of an otherwise serious evening to a standing room only audience at the Harvard Coop.
Tracey was there to talk about tracing the roots of his family’s schizophrenia. People in the audience for the most part related touching stories of family members who struggled with hearing voices.
Tracey, sounding more like a compassionate group leader than an author, offered kind and supportive words for all those who shared their stories. So, while I didn’t get to hear him read — which I was hoping to do — I had the opportunity to watch my friend Patrick bring comfort on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day to an audience of strangers who melted into family. Stalking Irish Madness
To read my interview with Patrick, winner of the nonfiction PENN Award, go to Interview with author, Stalking Irish Madness
For more about St. Patrick, Fox News St. Patrick
Copyright 2009 Rita Watson