Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Why is it that the date of the death of Ireland’s patron saint is celebrated worldwide? There are many other saints and many other patron saints, but most are celebrated locally and not all over the world as St. Pat’s date is. There is something intriguing about the day and all the greenery that happens on March 17. 

The real St. Patrick was born in the 4th Century and is thought to have been taken as a slave from Roman Britain to Ireland. He escaped, returned to Britain and became a priest. He later returned to Ireland and is credited with Christianizing the Irish. Folklore says that he used a shamrock to explain the Christian doctrine of the Trinity to the Irish people. That was likely where “the wearing of the green” originated. St. Patrick’s Day and the wearing of green has been celebrated as early as the 17th century.   It is indicative of how important St. Patrick’s Day has become over the centuries that for Christians who observe Lent, the Lenten restrictions have occasionally been lifted for the one day (if St. Patrick’s Day falls during the forty days of Lent).  Many believe that this has encouraged the holiday’s tradition of consuming alcohol.

It is estimated that there are over eighty million people all over the world who are of Irish descent.  Many countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Britain, Australia, Canada and the United States have many towns and neighborhoods which were settled by Irish immigrants and their descendents continue to observe some of the traditions of their ancestors.  The most celebrated and recognizable of these traditions is the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. 

The Irish have contributed a great deal to Canada. Irish-Canadian engineering developed and built the Rideau canal system, Irish immigrants helped build the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railway and one-third of Canada’s 22 prime ministers were of Irish ancestry!

Today, we continue to wear green on March 17th and show off our green in other ways: bars offer green beer, the Chicago River is dyed green, and many businesses change the lights on their buildings to green for the day. The Queen presents bowls of shamrock to members of the Irish Guards on St. Patty’s Day.  The shamrock is flown from Ireland each year in time for her to do make the presentations.  Horse racing at Cheltenham Festival is held on or close to St. Patrick’s Day and is attended by large numbers of Irish people.  All over the world, people wear green and celebrate this special Irish tradition.

For those of us living in Saskatchewan, “wearing of the green” has a different meaning every other day of the year and we reserve our green pride for the Rough Riders. However, on March 17 we stand with the Irish in acknowledging their special day.  So, wear your green clothes today and maybe even tip a green beer to the memory of St. Patrick.  If you know someone who is Irish (and chances are you do), wish them a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Loving everything green today . . . it’s a good thing!