St. Patrick’s Day
written by: Joseph F Coniglio
“May you be in heaven an hour before the devil knows you’re dead.”
AAAAH. Tradition. The wearing of the green, parades, corned beef or ham and cabbage, potatoes and Irish Harp beer. So much tradition I can hardly stand it. But it’s all good, all fun and all steeped in history, if you can remember being taught that stuff.
The feast of Saint Patrick’s Day is a Christian tradition which celebrates the faith being brought to Ireland. Observed since the 17th century, it also celebrates the Irish people and culture. Widely considered a semi-holyday, it is held as a public holiday in The Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland as well as here in the New World in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Although little is known about St. Patrick himself, we do know that he was a Roman Missionary, believed born into a wealthy family. He was kidnapped by Irish raiders at the age of sixteen, brought to Gaelic Ireland where he worked as a shepherd and found God. Later, in a vision he was told to return home where he was to work with the pagans and convert them to Christianity. Legend has it that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland, although it was also widely accepted that snakes did not inhabit the region. Perhaps they meant a different kind of snake, the ones with two legs who walk upright. Tradition holds that he died on March 17th which is where we get the date to celebrate.
Now, some of this is history, some of it is lore. But all of it is kind of a tribute to civilization and to education. What better reason to celebrate? So go on. Wear the green and watch the parades on tv or in person. Celebrate history. Praise tradition. Enjoy yourself. That is the story of life.
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