St. Patricks Day Traditions

There are many traditions surrounding St. Patricks Day.  But do you know where these traditions come from? 

On March 17, 431AD, when Patrick of Ireland died, a new holiday was born.  Though the celebrations began in the 700′s as a traditional Catholic Holy Day, over the years St. Patrick’s Day has become more of a secular holiday which marks the beginning of spring.  The official date for the beginning of spring is March 21, which supports the tradition of wearing green.  Green is the color for life and growth and if you desire good luck and on this day, you should “be wearin’ a touch o’ the green! 

The spreading of Christianity and Catholicism to the Irish of the 4th and 5th century is mainly attributed to St. Patrick, who received the name of Patrick while in seminary after his captivity in Ireland. Traditions that originated back in the 7th century have changed the holiday from being strictly religious to a St. Patrick’s Day where “everybody is Irish for the day”. 

Catholics will start the day off at early mass which signifies the beginning of the holiday.  Tradition has it that St. Patrick often used a Shamrock to explain to pagans the concept of the Trinity.  The trinity is the Father, Son and Holy Ghost which Christians know all stem from the same God –  three in one like the Shamrock plant – three leaves from one stem. If you are wearing a shamrock you can claim Good Luck or Blessings!  The tradition of the Shamrock still remains though most don’t know the reason behind it, however most do know it means Good Luck! to whoever wears it or receives it.

St. Patrick’s Day was first observed as a holiday in the United States in 1737.  The US was still under the authority of the British because the Revolutionary War that gave freedom didn’t start until 1776.  So even though many of the Irish had not yet arrived on our shores yet, St. Patrick’s Day was still considered a very important holiday.   Queen’s NY started the first parade in honor of St. Patrick.  As a result, St. Patrick’s Day parades are popular all across the country.  Parades have become a great way to celebrate this day!

Leprechuans or Irish fairy people are also associated with St. Patrick’s festival. In Irish mythology, a leprechaun is a type of elf that is said to inhabit the island of Ireland.  If you need a tad bit more good luck to start your season off, invite a Leprechaun to accompany you throughout the day.  They are packed with good luck – and are kind of cute, to boot!

In recent times, the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Dublin have been extended to a week-long event called St. Patrick’s Festival, encompassing a spectacular fireworks display (Skyfest), open-air music, street theater and the traditional parade. Over one million people attended the celebrations in 2004.

In the United States, St. Patrick’s Day would not be the same unless the Chicago River is dyed green. Also, St. Paddy’s Day has little religious or historical significance.  It is essentially a time to put on a “Kiss Me I’m Irish” button, and parade drunken through the streets singing a mangled version of “Danny Boy” in celebration of one’s real or imagined Irish ancestry.

Of course, one of the most popular traditions that goes with St. Patrick’s Day is the drinking of green ale since green is the color of the day! For this holiday, there should be no bar or tavern which does not add some green food coloring to a keg of draft beer and serve mugs of tinted beer to its customers.  And of course Irish cream and Irish Whiskey ought to be available too.  Just make sure the kids get green lemonade or 7UP because St. Patrick’s Day is a day of fun for all ages.

Little Known Facts About St.Patricks Day

St. Patricks Day seems to get more popular every year.  Most everyone thinks it is about leprechauns and wearing green.  But do you know how the holiday got started?

The tradition of St. Patrick’s Day began hundreds of years ago when a boy in Roman England was captured and taken to Ireland as a captive where he found God. After escaping captivity, the boy was a very active missionary throughout Ireland for 30 years, and that is why he is called the patron saint of Ireland. 

 There have been many legends attached to this saint, and they have lasted throughout the centuries.  It is said that St. Patrick could hear from the angels, and that he had raised people from the dead.  This holiday began as a Holy Day in the Catholic Church, but over the years this religious Catholic saint’s day has turned into a more secular celebration of the upcoming new spring.

 Here are a few facts for St. Patrick’s Day:

- March 17th, the day of celebration, is the day of Patrick’s death.
- St. Patrick, the patron saint of the Irish, was not from Ireland.
- Patrick was an old time missionary in Ireland during the 4th century.
- He brought many people to conversion and into the Christian religion.
- The Shamrock, symbol of St. Patrick’s Day, was a plant with three leaves that Patrick used to demonstrate to the pagans the trinity of God – Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
- Maewyn is the name St. Patrick was born with.  His name was changed by the Bishop in a monastery in France, after he escaped his captivity.  He was not religious at all when he was a child.
- The first St. Paddy’s day parade in America was in 1737, 40 years before the Revolutionary War.
- The first day of spring is March 21st and this could be the reason St. Patrick’s Day celebrations have caught on so big.
- Everyone turns Irish for a day – just wear green, the sign of life.
- Irish dishes include Corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, Irish cream pie, Irish soda bread, scones, Irish cheese bread, and all of these would be a good choice on St. Patrick’s Day.

There are many traditions and legends that have been passed down through the generations, so even the barest of facts have gotten confused.  It is not even certain exactly when Patrick was born, the actual date varies about 30 years in early 300 AD but the day of his death is certain, March 17, and that is the important day.

So whether you are celebrating the life of a glorified Catholic saint or the oncoming spring and all the new growth and new life possibilities that a new life can encompass, it really doesn’t matter.  Wear something Green, grab a green hat, give someone a shamrock and join in the parade.  Good luck and Blessings are meant for all!