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St Patrick's Day - A brief background to the Celebrations

It is a widely held belief that Saint Patrick was born in the late fourth century and like so many patron saints, there is confusion over exactly who he was. In the case of St Patrick he is often confused with Palladius, the bishop sent by Pope Celestine in 431 to be the first bishop to the Ireland's Christian believers.

This confusion has some basis in that it is Saint Patrick who is credited as bringing Christianity to Ireland. Our understanding of St Patrick is mainly based on two historical works; the Confessio, a spiritual autobiography, and his Epistola, which was his own denunciation of the treatment that Irish christians received from the British.

St Patrick patron saint and national apostle of Ireland described himself as a "most humble-minded man, pouring forth a continuous paean of thanks to his Maker for having chosen him as the instrument whereby multitudes who had worshipped idols and unclean things had become the people of God."

One of the achievements most commonly associated with St Patrick is that he drove the snakes from Ireland. Whilst it is absolutely true that Ireland has no native snakes, this is because there prbably never were any given that Ireland separated from the rest of the continent at the end of the Ice Age.

So where does this story come from; It is most likely based on symbolism as many pagan religions incorporated serpent symbols and these were frequently worshipped. The achievement of driving the snakes from Ireland is therefore is probably based on the symbolism of putting an end to pagan serpant worshipping practices.

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Histrorically it is clear that St Patrick was not the first to bring christianity to Ireland and the Irish. It is he, however, who is credited with abolishing the pagan rites of the Druid race at Tara. Stories and legend that he converted the warrior chiefs and princes to Chrisianity, baptising them and thousands of their subjects in the Holy Wells many of which continue to bear this name.

Again, and just like the confusion that exists with birth of the patron saints, there is some debate as to when and where St Patrick died with there being several differing accounts of his death.

The most common are that; he died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, on March 17, 460, and that his jawbone was preserved in a silver shrine and that this was used as a protection against evil. Another account says that St Patrick died at Glastonbury, England and that he was buried there. There is a chapel dedicated to him in Glastonbury Abbey - The Chapel of St. Patrick.

No matter where he actually died nor where he is buried, his name is venerated around the world and as a consequence many Catholic places of worship named after St. Patrick including major cathedrals in capital cities.

Why Celebrate on Saint Patrick's Day?

Today, there are two distinct St Patrick's Day celebrations. It remains a traditional day of spiritual renewal through prayer and it has gained an importance as a day of prayer for missionaries working worldwide. March 17th is celebrated as a Holy Day with many attending special Mass celebrations.

St Patrick's Day has also become one of the most eagerly anticipated celebrations. It's associated with everything Irish; anything green and gold, shamrocks, leprechauns and lucky golden charms. The St Patrick's festival has been run since 1995 when it was created by the Givernment of Ireland it's aim being to create a major festival around the national holiday allowing the Irish people to 'stand proud'.

Strangely, until the Irish created their own fesitval committee, St Patrick's Day the celebrations in Ireland paled into insignificance with those overseas - especially those in the United States.
In American cities where there is a large Irish population, St. Patrick's Day celebrations are huge with parades and celebrations of all things Irish. This adoption of the Irish green has even seen breweries producing green largers and some communities even go so far as to dye their rivers or streams green.

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Online Catalogue > Articles > St Patrick's Day