Although in today's modern society many associate Saint Patrick’s Day with drinking, celebrating, and wearing green, the day started off symbolizing much more. The man responsible for the holiday went by the name of Patricius in his writings, but his real name was Maewyn Succat. At the age of 16, Maewyn was abducted from his village in Britain by Irish Raiders who forced him into enslavement where he was forced to perform slave labor. After years of such labor, he was able to escape from Ireland and return to Britain. It is said that a voice came to Patricius at night urging him to escape and it’s likely that this voice was seen as the voice of God, as much of Patricius’ later writings showed heavy inspiration from Christian ideas and themes.
However, Patricius was neither a devout Christian nor Irish for that matter despite what general image may come to mind when thinking of ST. Patrick and his day of celebration. Patricius was born in Britain in the late 4th century. Though originally not religious, upon return from Ireland to Britain is when Maewyn joined the Catholic church and changed his name to Patricius. Upon reuniting with his family is when he decided to study to become a priest. Years after, he returned to Ireland despite his poor treatment there and he spent nearly thirty years devoted to converting the Irish to Catholicism.
Legend claims that Saint Patricius drove all snakes out of Ireland in his efforts of spreading religious virtues and practices. While there isn’t evidence to support this claim or the fact that snakes occupied the land in the first place, some will debate this as having more than a literal sense, seeing it as a symbolic metaphor. Some interpreting it as him removing darkness from a country which he originally was brought to involuntarily—in fact captured—to work as a slave. Others see it as a way to express that he brought Christianity to Pagan Celts in his efforts of establishing Catholic Churches and practices. Historians say that in returning to Ireland after his original capture he in a way helped his former enemies, and instead of typical revenge or negative motives that one might feel after such treatment, he decided to spread Catholicism because of the impact he felt God had on him and his escape—hearing a voice at night.
Many of his writings reflected a religious tone and appreciation toward religion as a way of bringing people together. His Memoir is called "The Confession" and recounts how he prayed 100 times a day as a slave and even more so at night. He wasn’t initially religious despite the fact that his father was a deacon and his grandfather a priest. It wasn’t till later in his life that he fully pursued religion and spent the remainder of his life in Ireland as a missionary; when he died, he became the Patron Saint of Ireland despite his British heritage.
In 1903 St. Patty’s day became a national holiday in Ireland; also known then as feast day. Originally the festivities included attending church and gathering for feasts. One of the first St. Patty’s day parades was held in Boston in 1737. However, today it is reported that there are over 100 parades celebrated across the United States.
While the view of the Irish is usually seen through a stereotypical lens, one thing that St. Patrick did play a part in is having the Shamrock become the unofficial flower of the country. It is said that he used the three-leafed shamrock as an educational symbol which represented the holy trinity as a way to convert Irish nonbelievers to Christianity in the fourth century.
It is also said that those who wanted to appear nice at church decorated their outfits with a shamrock on the day of celebration. It was only a minor holiday in Ireland until the 1970s. In 1762 Irish members of the colonial army held what is said to be the first Parade for the holiday. The Chicago river is dyed green to celebrate the holiday. Today, the celebration of St. Patrick's Day has altered since its start. People tend to celebrate with drinking green beer, taking part in fun parades, and indulging in some delicious foods such as corned beef and cabbage, Ireland's famous shepherd's pie, or even a Dublin Coddle which is a layered dish consisting of bacon, pork sausage, and potatoes.
Some upcoming events that will take place for the holiday include the St. Patrick‘s day Luncheon on March 13 at the Joslyn senior center in Redlands, the St. Patrick’s Day / Taco Tuesday with Jimbo & Jackie! at the Third Street Tavern in Highland starting at 5 pm with holiday favorites with a twist like corned beef tacos and drinks, and the Ultimate St. Patrick’s Day Party at Papa Joe’s Sportsbar starting at 3pm in Moreno Valley. Check out our events section to see more events to celebrate St. Patrick’s day!
For more local news and information click here.