St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated in America since the Irish began immigrating here in colonial times. But this might not have been the case, if not for a charismatic cleric from Waterford, who convinced Rome to give St. Patrick a feast day! Tim Madigan, founder of the St. John Fisher College Irish Studies Program, will discuss the little-known role that the Reverend Luke Wadding, O.F.M. (1588-1657) played in ensuring St. Patrick's Day would be celebrated for all time. Wadding also helped to found a College in Rome for Irish seminarians, and was a strong supporter for Irish independence from England. He is much honored in his native city of Waterford, and Madigan hopes to make him better known to Irish-Americans and fans of St. Patrick’s Day.
Tim Madigan is Professor and Chair of Philosophy at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York (Waterford’s Sister City).