Leprechauns, pots of gold, wearing green, and shamrocks are all part of America’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. People dress in green, cities like Chicago dump green dye in their river, and, for some, it is a day filled with rowdy celebrations.
St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated on March 17 for centuries in honor of St. Patrick who died in the fifth century. He was born around 386 in Britain. At the age of sixteen, he was captured by Irish pirates and taken to Ireland as a laborer. After six years of captivity, he escaped and fled to his homeland where he became a priest.
He returned to Ireland and founded schools, churches and monasteries before his death in 461. He is credited with bringing the Catholic religion to Ireland and converting much of the population.
Several centuries after his death, he was made a saint by the Catholic Church, and a day was dedicated to him, which was March 17. He became the patron saint of Ireland and is honored by the Irish each year.
When the Irish immigrated to America during the Irish Potato Famine of 1845, they brought with them their culture and traditions. Honoring St. Patrick on March 17th was one of those traditions.
Over the years, in America, St. Patrick’s Day has shifted from a religious holiday honoring a saint to one celebrating Ireland and Irish tales of wee leprechauns living on that green isle. It is a holiday filled with merry celebrations.
Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day goes back to 1798 when Britain and Ireland were at war. The British wore red uniforms, and the Irish wore green uniforms. After the war ended, the color, green, became associated with the Irish and became the color worn on St. Patrick’s Day.
Shamrocks are the national plant of Ireland and became associated with St. Patrick’s Day, as well. Most shamrocks have three-leaf clovers, but once in a while, you can find a four-leaf clover. Legend says that finding a four-leaf clover will bring you good luck.
As for leprechauns, legend says that if you can catch a leprechaun, he must give you his pot of gold.
This St. Patrick’s Day, may this Irish Blessing make your day a happy one.
“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
Photo 1 Freepix
