Saint Patrick’s Day is one of revelry, food and alcohol consumption, is it not? It’s a day for people to go out to their favorite bar and drink themselves into oblivion on a bevy of dyed-green-light-beers. At least that’s the way some people see the day. Personally, as a descendant of an Irish immigrant, I don’t see the day that way.
While I don’t necessarily think all the revelry is a bad thing, I feel people’s attitudes about the day are all wrong. I feel like people see the day as an excuse just to get drunk, no matter what day of the week it is. Actually, the holiday is to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland as a country.
Saint Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the fourth century AD, and after a stint as a prisoner in Ireland, returned home and summarily became a priest. After some time, he returned to Ireland as a bishop to spread Christianity to its peoples.
He used shamrocks to explain the Christian doctrine of the Trinity to the people there. He explained its three leaves as representing the three incarnations of God, so the people would understand.
His mission wasn’t the most successful one that made its way through Ireland, but he is considered the principal champion of Irish Christianity and is held in high regard by the Irish Church. March 17, 461 is the day he died, and the Irish recognized that day as a feasting day.
There are patterns today that were influenced by this story. The tradition of wearing green during the holiday stemmed from his use of the Shamrock. What was considered to be a feasting day to those of the period is now a day for celebration, and it is celebrated all over the world.
Now, just to clarify, I’m not offended, and neither am I angry about the way people party on Saint Patrick’s Day. I am a history major, so I just like to know the stories behind why I am celebrating.
I, much like any other college student, enjoy going to parties and having fun with friends. Nothing but hilarity can ensue when you’re around your friends with a little bit of liquid courage.
I just want people to know why Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated. I have much the same sentiment for other American ‘drinking holidays.’ Cinco de Mayo is another day I harp on people to learn about, because it’s a day that marks a lot of Mexican men and women’s lives. While celebrating their independence is great, knowing the story behind it is better.
So, I harp on you all: Know why you’re doing what you’re doing! Don’t be an ignorant pawn of the commercial machine.
Look into why value is assigned to holidays, and become more knowledgeable about things like that. You really won’t regret it.
