(Beginnings, Customs and Traditions)
Wed March 17th
St. Patricks Day is named after St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. Born in Wales, he considered himself a pagan. At the age of 16 Patrick was taken by Irish raiders as a prisoner. These raiders brought him to Ireland where he was held in captivity for six years. He escaped the years in captivity holding on to a vision (that he believed was a vision from God) that told him to leave Ireland. He walked almost 200 miles to the Irish coast. After escaping to Great Britain, he had a desire to become a Christian missionary. He studied monastery under St. Germain and before long was sent back to Ireland by his superiors in Gaul after St. Palladus was transferred to Scotland. Patrick, was appointed as second bishop to Ireland. It was in St. Patrick’s heart to convert the native pagans of Ireland to Christianity.
During his teachings, Patrick used different symbols familiar to the native pagans to make it easy for them to relate to Christianity. One of the most popularly known symbols in ancient Ireland was the shamrock. He used this to explain the trinity during his sermons. He also used bonfires to celebrate Easter since Irish were used to honoring gods with fire. He also included a sun on a Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross, so that these symbols will look more natural to the Irish.
St. Patrick was quite successful in his mission to convert the Irish to Christianity, which made the Celtic Druids upset. He was arrested several times but managed to escape every time. He traveled the whole of Ireland to establish monasteries, schools and churches which helped him much in the conversion of the country to Christianity. This mission lasted for thirty yeas and retired to County Down. He is said to have died in March 17 AD 461 and since then, the day was commemorated as St. Patrick’s Day.
The holiday though, did not start in Ireland but in New York, United States, in March 17, 1762 when Irish soldiers serving the English military marched through the city. This, together with their music, helped them to reconnect with their Irish roots as well as the fellow Irish serving in the British army. This was the start of Irish patriotism among American immigrants. Today, the parade for St Patricks Day is the world’s oldest civilian parade and one of the largest in the U.S.
All over North America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and a couple of Latin countries celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as the first day of spring. It is tantamount to “painting the town green” and in the modern times, conservation of the environment. Images of shamrock is popular in these places and much of the Irish traditions and foods are experienced just like Irish cream, corned beef and cabbage, Irish pubs, leprechauns, etc. Truly, this day as formed a great part of what Ireland is now in terms of belief, patriotism and its history.
