avatarPatti Murray Voncannon

Summary

Saint Patrick's Day is a celebration of the life and death of St. Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland, who was actually British, contributed significantly to Irish Christianity, and is associated with various myths and miracles, including the banishment of snakes from Ireland.

Abstract

Saint Patrick's Day, observed on March 17, commemorates the death of St. Patrick, a British-born missionary who, after being kidnapped and taken to Ireland, later returned to spread Christianity, establishing churches, missionaries, and schools. Despite never being canonized, he is revered as a saint and his death is marked by a religious holiday that allows for the consumption of meat and alcohol during Lent. The festivities include parades, music, dancing, and traditional Irish meals like corned beef and cabbage, along with green-dyed beer. St. Patrick is also famously credited with driving snakes out of Ireland and explaining the Holy Trinity using a shamrock. The day's observance has evolved over centuries, with the first parades in the 1700s in America and only later in Ireland. The color green, leprechauns, and the phrase 'luck of the Irish' are all associated with St. Patrick's Day, with the latter originating from the success of Irish miners during the gold and silver rush years.

Opinions

  • The author suggests that St. Patrick's Day is as much about cultural celebration as it is about religious observance.
  • The article implies that the myths surrounding St. Patrick, such as the banishment of snakes and the explanation of the Holy Trinity with a shamrock, have contributed to his legendary status.
  • The mention of the 'luck of the Irish' and the success of Irish miners during the gold and silver rush years seems to convey a sense of pride in Irish heritage and achievements.
  • The author appears to appreciate the historical and cultural significance of St. Patrick's Day, highlighting its evolution from a solemn religious holiday to a global celebration of Irish culture.
  • The reference to leprechauns and the tradition of wearing green to avoid being pinched by them indicates an enjoyment of the whimsical and superstitious aspects of the holiday.
Photo by Pascal Bernardon on Unsplash

Everybody’s Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day!

Breaking it down, St. Patrick wasn’t even Irish!

No!! St. Patrick was born in Britain and kidnapped during a home invasion and taken to Ireland. During his captivity of 6 years, he found solace in his Christianity while slaving at a lonely shepherd's job. After he escaped, he went back to Britain but ended up going back to Ireland; when he felt a deep religious calling; where he established churches missionaries and schools.

St. Patrick's Day is the celebration of his death. It’s a religious holiday going back 1000 years. Falling during the Lenten season, the day gives exception to eating meat; as doing the same during Lent is prohibited; and drinking alcohol and partying.

The most well-known myth surrounding St. Patrick is that he explained the Holy Trinity using the three leaves of the Irish shamrock. He died March 17 in 461 A.D. dying in Saul where he built his first Irish church. When Patrick died, it’s said that there was no darkness in Ireland for twelve days after his death. He’s reportedly buried in the graveyard next to Down Cathedral located in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland. He is known as one of the most popular saints of all time. (History.com)

Although Saint Patrick had a ‘saint’ name, he was never canonized by the Catholic Church. Instead, he was ordained as a deacon and then consecrated as a bishop, and then became a patron saint.

Festivities of the day include music dancing, drinking and in our family, the cooking and consumption of corned beef (Irish bacon) and cabbage. And even beer is dyed green!

St. Patrick performed many miracles. According to Smith Appleby House Historical Society and I quote: ‘Of course the best known miracle attributed to Saint Patrick involves the banishment of snakes from Ireland. The legend goes that he climbed to the top of a mountain overlooking the sea and ordered all the serpents in Ireland to assemble at his feet before he drove them into the water by beating a drum’.

Another interesting account I came across from the same above source and I quote: One day a thief stole a goat that belonged to Patrick and ate it. When accused, the man denied it, until the sound of a bleating goat was heard coming from the man’s stomach. Then the beard of a goat suddenly grew upon his face, which some say is where the term “goatee” originated. I wonder if he could keep it tidy, hmm.

The first celebratory parades were held in Boston 1737 and New York City 1762 with the first one in Ireland in 1903. It wasn’t until the 1970’s that pubs in Ireland opened for business as they relatively observed the sacred holiday and stayed closed.

Green was worn for multiple reasons. One of the earliest reasons was because revelers thought that wearing green would make them invisible to leprechauns, who according to legend would pinch people who were not wearing green (and therefore not invisible). (tri-cityherald.com ) Wearing green also relates to the green stripe on the Irish flag.

Speaking of leprechauns. In Celtic folktales, leprechauns were cranky souls, responsible for mending the shoes of the other fairies. Though only minor figures in Celtic folklore, leprechauns were known for their trickery, which they often used to protect their much-fabled treasure. Leprechauns have their own holiday on May 13, but are also celebrated on St. Patrick’s, with many dressing up as the wily fairies. (History.com)

And the best of all, that ‘luck of the Irish’??? During the gold and silver rush years in the second half of the 19th century, a number of the most famous and successful miners were of Irish and Irish American birth…. Over time this association of the Irish with mining fortunes led to the expression 'luck of the Irish’.

Thanks for reading!

Credits: History.com thecelticlife.com Smith Appleby House Historical Society wikipedia St. Patricks Day website tri-city herald

St Patricks Day
St Patrick
Irish History
Ireland
Folklore
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