“May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.”
St. Patrick’s Day
Written by P.J. Drew
With the arrival of March comes Spring and plenty of green. Celebrated every March 17, St. Patrick’s Day brings together religion, tradition and celebration across the globe.
Taking place on the anniversary of St. Patrick’s death, the Irish have long observed this day as a religious holiday honoring the saint and his successful mission of spreading Christianity throughout Ireland.
St. Patrick, whom many religious philosophers believe was born Maewyn Succat, was the patron saint of Ireland and national apostle, having lived during the fifth century. Born in Britain during the late fourth century, he was kidnapped and enslaved as a sheep herder in Ireland at the age of 16. After six years in captivity, he escaped and walked 200 miles through Ireland. Having grown up an atheist, he found and credited the Lord with keeping him safe during his journey. Once returning to Britain, he was called in a dream to preach the gospel in Ireland. Following his becoming a priest known as Patricius, he moved to Ireland where he is credited with bringing Christianity to the Irish people.
Legend has it that St. Patrick explained the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of a native Irish clover called the shamrock.
While named for St. Patrick, the holiday and its subsequent celebrations have evolved over the decades. What once was a religious holiday with bars closed until the 1990s in Ireland, has grown to
encompass food, beverage, tourism, and more.
A traditional Irish celebratory meal includes bacon and cabbage, while in the United States, festive menus include Irish soda bread, corned beef, cabbage and champ. More than 13 million Guinness beers will be drink worldwide on March 17. While it takes the number one spot for beer drinking, with the average person drinking 4.2 drinks, it is only the fourth most popular drinking day in the United States. St. Patrick’s Day falls behind New Year’s Eve, Christmas Day and the Fourth of July in consumption totals.
Hallmark estimates 12 million cards are exchanged and the holiday has become popular for some farmers. It’s a traditional day for planting peas and old-time farmers believe in planting cabbage while wearing nightclothes to produce the luck of a good harvest.
Of course, luck is synopsis with this festive occasion. Another reminder associated with St. Patrick’s Day is the Leprechaun, called “lobaircin” in Ireland, which stands for “small-bodied fellow.”
The Leprechaun falls in line with the Celtic belief in fairies or tiny men and women with magical powers that serve good or evil. They are often known for their crankiness, ability to mend shoes, and undeniable trait for trickery to protect their treasure. The Leprechaun’s pot of gold is said to have a market value of $1.6 million.
And, finally, Irish blessings are plenty this day of the year as neighbors and friends wish each other health, wealth and happiness. LL