Saint Patrick’s day is, without any doubt, the quintessential celebration of the Irish culture, which according to many sources has been celebrated in Ireland for more than a millennium.
Today, March 17th is in the consciousness of people across the globe, the much awaited day of parades, celebrations, shamrocks and anything green that act as reminders of St. Patrick’s legacy, the Patron Saint of Ireland.
This year, once again, his legacy will continue to be celebrated, albeit in a more reflective way due to the unprecedented times we live in 2021. The vibrant and beautiful parades, the lively atmosphere of people, young and old, will be replaced by reminiscent repartees of how this day used to be, a day which we’re all hoping to celebrate again, just like before, in the not so distant future.
Until then however, we’re taking the time to pause to take a look back and reminisce upon the story of the man which reads very much like an immigrant’s story.
St.Patrick’s name is synonymous with the man who became an unlikely hero in Ireland, a shy boy raised in Britain, who after being captured by pirates at the age of 16, in 405 A.D, was brought to Ireland and sold into slavery. It was during his eight years of captivity that he turned to his Christian faith which, up until then, didn’t matter to him. Ireland back then, was a land of pagans and one day, after a dream he had, he went back to Britain only to return to Ireland later, following God’s calling. For almost thirty years of evangelical work, he guided the Irish pagans to Christianity and he was responsible for Ireland’s becoming one of the most Christian nations of Europe. There’s no wonder that to this day, he continues to be called the “The Apostle of the Irish”.
There are many legends which surround his life. For example, it is believed that he used a shamrock to teach the Holy Trinity to the pagans and the pagans were considered to be the metaphorical snakes that he rid Ireland of, the argument being that snakes couldn’t have possibly existed in Ireland given its climate. Now, the shamrock is the official flower of Ireland and its green colour is associated with the Irish culture.
His story does indeed read like an immigrant’s story, as Ireland became his home and he befriended the locals, in whose eyes he was no doubt the foreigner initially. His legacy continues to this day as a man of faith who was tried and tested through slavery and exile.
May we continue to celebrate this legacy just like we used to all over the world, with parades, with the young and old and most importantly, with all things green!!!
Happy St.Patrick's Day from all of us at eiro!