Origin and Evolution of St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day, celebrated in many countries around the world on March 17, centers around all things green. Mention of the holiday usually brings to mind Irish food and drink, four-leaf clovers, leprechauns, pots of gold and lively parades, but it didn't start out that way. This fascinating holiday has its roots deep in the Christian religion and traditionally honors St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

St. Patrick

Just who was St. Patrick? Considered the Apostle of Ireland, St. Patrick was born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland in the year 387. He died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland on March 17, 493. His father was a high ranking Roman and his mother was a relative of the great patron of Gaul, St. Martin of Tours.

When Patrick was only sixteen years old, he was captured and sold into slavery by Irish raiders. Purchased by a chieftain of a territory that is presently the county of Antrim, Ireland, Patrick spent six year tending his master's flocks. Instructed by an angel of God, he finally fled his cruel master and set sail for Britain and dedicated himself to a life of service to God.

Patrick stayed at various monasteries, including St. Martin's at Tours and the island sanctuary of Lerins. He was fervent in his faith and dedicated to living a life of piety. He was eventually promoted into the priesthood by St. Germain. He accompanied the great bishop Germain on what would become a legendary missionary expedition. Thought to be guided by God's hand, the men of this journey reportedly performed miracles, including the calming of a deadly storm at sea. They visited the relics at St. Alban's shrine and the Alleluia victory. Despite these amazing experiences, Patrick could not shake his thoughts of Ireland. He longed to return and perform God's work there, spreading the Gospel throughout the Pagan country.

After 18 years with St. Germain, having learned much in knowledge and spirit by the bishop's guiding, Patrick's call to destiny came. When the missionary who had received a commission to spread Christianity to Ireland abandoned the mission, Germain sent Patrick to Pope St. Celestine I in Rome with the intention that he take on the task. He was blessed by the dying Pope and sent to Ireland.

Patrick's first stop in Ireland was to his former master for the purpose of paying a ransom for his freedom that he had previously claimed. He prayed for the man and witnessed Christ to him. This pious act speaks volumes about the type of man that Patrick had become. He proceeded from there to begin his mission of spreading the Gospel throughout Ireland. Being familiar with the Irish language and culture from his previous captivity, Patrick wisely chose to incorporate native beliefs into his teachings of Christianity. For instance, he superimposed a the traditional Irish symbol of the sun onto the Christian cross, well known today as the Celtic cross. He also used bonfires in the celebration of Easter, as the Irish were accustomed to using them in their Pagan rituals.

According to accounts in Patrick's own writings, he experienced much persecution by the Irish druids who opposed his teaching. On twelve occasions Patrick and his companions were captured and held, but were always released unharmed, saved by Providence. One time he was chained up and a death sentence was handed to him. But it was never carried out. Patrick seemed forever protected by the hand of God. The budding Christian churches he planted were equally protected and were never significantly persecuted by local powers.

Thus Patrick spread the Christian religion throughout Ireland and eventually triumphed over Paganism. At his death, bishops, other clergy and Christians from all over Ireland came to pay their respects to the "Father of their Faith."

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, the day of St. Patrick's death in the fifth century. For centuries in Ireland it has been celebrated as an important religious holiday. It eventually evolved into a worldwide secular celebration, a transformation that began in the United States one cold March 17 in New York City in 1762.

An event now known as the first St. Patrick's Day parade, Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through the city streets. They played Irish music and the show of patriotism helped them reconnect to their homeland roots and bolster troop morale. This tradition continued for the next thirty-five years and Irish patriotism blossomed throughout Irish immigrant society.

When the great potato famine hit Ireland in 1845, nearly a million starving Irish flooded the shores of America, most of them poor, uneducated and desperate. A severe prejudice against the Irish spread throughout the cities and even the lowliest jobs were denied to the Irish. The St. Patrick's Day parade was ridiculed at this time and derided in the media of the day.

With strength of numbers, however, the Irish eventually organized and became an important political force. The parade became an important, high-profile event that politicians took pains to attend and the Irish used as a show of strength. Public opinion changed and the Irish shed prejudicial stereotypes and gained mainstream American acceptance. This culminated in 1948 with the attendance of President Truman at the New York City St. Patrick's Day parade.

St. Patrick's Day is now celebrated in many countries worldwide, including Russia, Japan, Canada and Australia. But it's biggest celebration is still in the United States, where people honor the day with all things green. Food and drink is dyed green, corned beef is served at tables across the country and the mythical Leprechaun makes his annual rounds.

In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day is still a religious holiday, and until recently, Irish law mandated the closing of pubs on March 17. In 1995, however, a national campaign began an effort to use St. Patrick's Day as a marketing machine for tourism. Close to a million people descend on Dublin for the annual St. Patrick's Festival, where for days people celebrate with parades, music, theater and fireworks.

St. Patrick's Day is a unique holiday. It began in honor of the patron saint of Ireland as a celebration of his life and accomplishments. In time, it became flavored with political seasoning in the United States. Today, it is a multi-country celebration that has little to do with piety or politics, but has successfully made the small country of Ireland well known throughout the world.