By Rachel Connell
Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held on March 17th, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland.
Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held on March 17th, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland.
Saint Patrick's Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century and is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and Lutheran Church. The day commemorates Saint Patrick (who converted people from Paganism to Christianity in Ireland) and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish.
Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, céilithe (traditional Irish music sessions), and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks (St. Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish). Christians also attend church services.
In 1903, St. Patrick’s Day became an official holiday in Ireland.
St. Patrick’s Day can be celebrated differently from family to family. Some families, like junior Alison Long’s family, have specific ways of celebrating St. Patty’s Day. “We decorate the house in all green, because we live in New Haven; we have tons of it!”
Some people just like to wear goofy hats and make cheesy jokes, like Patricia Weatherly’s family. “It’s a good excuse to be silly!” she argues.
Carolyn Allgaier’s family celebrates in a much more traditional way. “My family makes corned beef and cabbage. Most people probably doesn’t like it, but I absolutely love it. Hence the reason why I love St. Patrick’s Day!”
Everyone celebrates St. Patrick’s Day differently, but the general idea is to show regards to Saint Patrick for his efforts to convert people in Ireland to Christianity.
Recently, the New Haven Marching Band participated in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in St. Louis. Annual parades are another great way to celebrate St. Patty's Day, whether you are a participant in the parade or you are a spectator. Emily Scheer, senior, states, “I think the parade itself was really fun. There was a lot of people there who were going crazy since we are the Shamrocks! I love big parades where everyone screams and cheers for you, even when they have never heard of your school before! It was also my last competition parade for me, so I’m glad to have ended the season on a good note.”
Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!
Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, céilithe (traditional Irish music sessions), and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks (St. Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish). Christians also attend church services.
In 1903, St. Patrick’s Day became an official holiday in Ireland.
St. Patrick’s Day can be celebrated differently from family to family. Some families, like junior Alison Long’s family, have specific ways of celebrating St. Patty’s Day. “We decorate the house in all green, because we live in New Haven; we have tons of it!”
Some people just like to wear goofy hats and make cheesy jokes, like Patricia Weatherly’s family. “It’s a good excuse to be silly!” she argues.
Carolyn Allgaier’s family celebrates in a much more traditional way. “My family makes corned beef and cabbage. Most people probably doesn’t like it, but I absolutely love it. Hence the reason why I love St. Patrick’s Day!”
Everyone celebrates St. Patrick’s Day differently, but the general idea is to show regards to Saint Patrick for his efforts to convert people in Ireland to Christianity.
Recently, the New Haven Marching Band participated in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in St. Louis. Annual parades are another great way to celebrate St. Patty's Day, whether you are a participant in the parade or you are a spectator. Emily Scheer, senior, states, “I think the parade itself was really fun. There was a lot of people there who were going crazy since we are the Shamrocks! I love big parades where everyone screams and cheers for you, even when they have never heard of your school before! It was also my last competition parade for me, so I’m glad to have ended the season on a good note.”
Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!
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