While I was growing up, St. Patrick’s Day always meant that a “leprechaun” would avoid the traps we set and instead scatter debris in our classrooms during recess. It meant that by wearing only a small amount of green clothing, someone may not notice and choose to pinch us — so we get to pinch back. While celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, few of us ever actually understood what exactly we were celebrating. In fact, many people still don’t understand!
With the help of the TIME magazine, I was able to gain an understanding of what St. Patrick’s Day is all about! It states that “The March 17 celebration started in 1631 when the Church established a Feast Day honoring St. Patrick.”
Born in approximately 386 A.D. in Roman Britain, St. Patrick was kidnapped and brought to Ireland where he worked as a slave at just 16 years of age. After escaping, he later returned to Ireland and is credited with introducing Christianity to the Irish people. He “died around the fifth century — a whopping 12 centuries before the modern version of the holiday was first observed,” TIME magazine writes.
Now St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in order to commemorate St. Patrick himself, along with the arrival of Christianity to Ireland. In addition, it provides an opportunity to highlight the heritage of the Irish people in general.
Many traditions are practiced in the celebration of St. Patrick. One of the most common traditions practiced in America is the consumption of corned beef and cabbage, sautéed with butter and caramelized onions. In Ireland, however, a breakfast that includes bacon, fried tomatoes, blood sausage, and a pot of tea is more traditional.
Though celebrated differently across the world, the significance behind it is all the same! Our traditions, to this day, allow us to celebrate St. Patrick, the different cultures associated with this holiday, and in general, time with family and loved ones. Like most celebrations, traditions like such make these events more memorable, exciting and unique.
In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, I’ll leave you with an old Irish blessing. It states, “For each petal on the shamrock. This brings a wish your way: good health, good luck, and happiness. For today and every day.”
– by Hailee Eyre
Feature image caption: Mouse leprechaun, by Sophia (2nd) LPS.
Hailee Eyre – Panguitch
Hailee Eyre is a journalist at The Byway. She attended Southern Utah University in the fall and is pursuing a career in the medical field. Her favorite topics to write about are those that intend to inspire others, providing motivation as means to better yourself or the world around you. In her free time, Hailee loves to be outdoors, whether it be hunting, fishing, boating or hiking.
Hailee is currently serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pennsylvania and New York Church History Sites Mission.