The history behind St. Patrick’s Day
When Saint Patty’s Day rolls around, many Americans can be spotted sporting their green, going to parades, and indulging in festive adult beverages. However, the day actually has a much deeper purpose.
Dr. Linda DeRoche, an English and American studies professor at Wesley College says, “Saint Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland. He was the saint that Christianized the Irish in the 300’s.”
The seventeenth of March is traditionally associated with Saint Patrick’s death. We’re told Saint Patrick was beloved by the Irish. He’s even been associated with ridding the island of snakes, which symbolize sin, to those who believe in the saint.
Dr. Linda DeRoche says she’s been fascinated with Ireland since she was an undergrad. In fact the holiday makes her laugh because American celebrations are actually drastically different from the Irish.
Dr. DeRoche goes on, “It is a Saint’s Day, a day of worship.”
Meaning the majority of people in Ireland are in church, rather than in a pub. This is true for at least for most of the celebratory day.
Dr. DeRoche replies, “It does always fall during lent. This is a day when they have dispensations, the freedom to eat and drink on the Saint’s Day.”
Regardless of the differences, Dr. DeRoche says the seventeenth is a great day to celebrate Irish heritage!
Dr. DeRoche also gave some fun factors about the holiday. The three leaf clover is a symbol of the Christian trinity. Green is the official color for Ireland; and the reason Americans have become so familiar with the leprechaun is because the Irish are big believers in fairies and sprites.
