Saint Patrick’s Day has been observed since 1601, exalting the patron Saint Patrick and celebrating the infusion of Christianity and Celtic traditions.
The Patron Saint of Ireland
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Saint Patrick was born in 385 to a wealthy family in Great Britain. At age 16, Irish raiders kidnapped St. Patrick from his family’s estate and enslaved him in Ireland for six years. The patron saint worked as a shepherd during those six years and prayed daily, as mentioned in St. Patrick’s book The Confessions of St. Patrick. God appeared to Saint Patrick in a dream, notifying the saint it was time to leave Ireland and captivity.
Patrick managed to escape back to Britain when an Angel appeared in his dream telling him to return to Ireland as a missionary. After being ordained, Patrick returned to Ireland to minister to the Christian population already located in Ireland and to convert nonbelievers. Speculation says St. Patrick introduced Christianity to Ireland, but documentation shows prior attempts, and Ireland housed a small number of Christians before Patrick arrived.
Saint Patrick’s Approach
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Patrick’s servitude in Ireland made him aware of Irish traditions and cultures. The patron saint blended many pagan practices into the churches of Ireland. For example, the shamrock, which is now Ireland’s national flower, was used to illustrate the Christian concept of the Holy Trinity to nonbelievers. During Patrick’s crusade, he converted Pagan community leaders, who often donated real estate as places of worship. Though there is no documentation on the origins of the Celtic Cross, it is a common belief Patrick incorporated an Irish sun-worshipping symbol with the Christian cross to produce the shape. The establishment of Christianity in Ireland would take over ten years and many other notable figures. Still, Patrick founded many monasteries during his tenure, supported church officials, created councils, and organized Ireland into dioceses. Patrick passed away on March 17th, the day of his commemoration.
Celebration of St. Patrick’s Day
The first St. Patrick’s Parade held in 1601, documented in colonial records, explained settlers marched through the streets and fired cannons in honor of St. Patrick on March 17th. The colony recognized St Patrick as the patron protector of their corn crop. Since the 10th century, Irish natives observed St. Patricks’ Day on March 17th, but natives didn’t incorporate a feast until 1631. The next parade didn’t occur until 1760. Irishmen enlisted in the British Army organized a procession to connect with other Catholic Irishmen after facing the American protestant majority’s discrimination. Many Americans were nationalists and indoctrinated with negative stereotypes regarding Catholics. Initial participants would attach shamrocks to their garments; participants later incorporated green outfits into the tradition. The parades initially remained secular. Until the 1970s, Irish legislation mandated all pubs remain closed in observance of St. Patrick’s Day.
Today’s Celebration
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For most people, St. Patrick’s Day is a day to wear green, eat traditional Irish dishes such as corned beef, attend a parade, and drink alcoholic beverages, mainly green beverages. For many elder African Americans, the saying “wear green or be pinched” is associated with the holiday. Irish Central states many Christians view the holiday as the break between Lent and Ash Wednesday. Some Christians observe the day in prayer. The Insider revealed St. Patrick’s Day is the third most popular drinking day in America. Cabbage shipments increased 70% the week before the holiday. Ireland’s government commemorates the day with a multiday festival intended to promote Irish industries to its St Patrick visitors. St Patrick parades now occur in the West Indies, Canada, Japan, Norway, and New Zealand.
