1.) St. Patrick was actually from England. He was captured, enslaved, and taken to Ireland to work the fields. After he escaped from his captors, he roamed the Continent spreading God's word. He eventually returned to Ireland to convert the pagans after he realized that this was God's plan for him.
2.) St. Patrick's Day is on the 17th of March because, like most saints' days, that is the day he died. In 461. He wasn't a martyr, though. Just died a natural death.
3.) St. Patrick did indeed use the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to anyone who would listen. It was a native plant on the Emerald Isle, and it worked perfectly to illustrate the idea of the Holy Trinity.
4.) St. Patrick's Day is actually a holy day of obligation in Ireland. This means that mass is attended by all believers. It isn't a drunk fest like it is here in the States. In fact, until recently, pubs remained closed on this day. While it is a feast day in the Catholic Church (opposed to a fast day), it is still a day of obligation.
5.) The first St. Patrick's Day parade was actually held in NYC (or Boston, depending on the lore) before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Irish immigrants coming to the US wanted to celebrate their heritage and, thus, the American festival was born. Dublin didn't host a parade until the 30s
6.) In a related fact, the Irish in Ireland don't dye their rivers green or wear green clothes on St. Patrick's Day. There is no need to identify yourself as Irish when you actually LIVE in IRELAND.
7.) St. Patrick isn't technically a "saint" in the Catholic Church. He died long before the canonization of saints began and was considered a saint before the Middle Ages. Despite this technicality, the Church recognizes his feast day.
8.) While the myth of St. Patrick sending out all of the snakes from Ireland is indeed allegorical and entertaining, it is, alas, untrue. There have never been snakes in Ireland. The surrounding waters are far too cold to allow any sort of snake-migration.
9.) St. Patrick's real name? Meawyn Succat. Yeah, I like Patrick better, too.
10.) At any given time, there are more Americans of Irish decent living in the US than there are actually Irishmen living in Ireland. Weird, huh?
And, since St. Patrick's Day has me fondly remembering last year's celebration in Savannah, I thought I would share some pics. Ahhh... memories ...
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| That's one tall leprechaun! |
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| Molly MacPherson's. The best place in Savannah to have a pint. And to celebrate with bagpipers. :) |
And, while you're here, please take a moment to vote for me!
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