Common Folk Using Common Sense

Saint Patrick is believed to have been born in the late fourth century, and is often confused with Palladius, a bishop who was sent by Pope Celestine in 431 to be the first bishop to the Irish believers in Christ.

Saint Patrick was the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. Most of what is known about him comes from his two works, the Confessio, a spiritual autobiography, and his Epistola, a denunciation of British mistreatment of Irish Christians. Saint Patrick described himself as a “most humble-minded man, pouring forth a continuous paean of thanks to his Maker for having chosen him as the instrument whereby multitudes who had worshipped idols and unclean things had become the people of God.”

Saint Patrick is most known for driving the snakes from Ireland. It is true there are no snakes in Ireland, but there probably never have been - the island was separated from the rest of the continent at the end of the Ice Age. As in many old pagan religions, serpent symbols were common and often worshipped. Driving the snakes from Ireland was probably symbolic of putting an end to that pagan practice. While not the first to bring christianity to Ireland, it is Patrick who is said to have encountered the Druids at Tara and abolished their pagan rites. The story holds that he converted the warrior chiefs and princes, baptizing them and thousands of their subjects in the “Holy Wells” that still bear this name.

Saint Patrick’s Day has come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck. Most importantly, to those who celebrate its intended meaning, St. Patrick’s Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide.

So, why is it celebrated on March 17th? One theory is that that is the day that St. Patrick died. Since the holiday began in Ireland, it is believed that as the Irish spread out around the world, they took with them their history and celebrations. The biggest observance of all is, of course, in Ireland. With the exception of restaurants and pubs, almost all businesses close on March 17th. Being a religious holiday as well, many Irish attend mass, where March 17th is the traditional day for offering prayers for missionaries worldwide before the serious celebrating begins.

And yes, on this day, we Scots will put away our differences with the Irish heathen and share a toast with each other.

In American cities with a large Irish population, St. Patrick’s Day is a very big deal. Big cities and small towns alike celebrate with parades, “wearing of the green,” music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids such as crafts, coloring and games. Some communities even go so far as to dye rivers or streams green! In Savannah, GA, several of the restaurants will have green breakfasts - green eggs, green bacon, green grits, green biscuits - not to mention countless kegs of green beer. Personally I usually skip the green beer and go straight to a dark black foamy one - the great and glorious Guinness.

So here’s ta ye, Saint Patrick, and to all me heathen Irish buddies - even though you are not nearly as handsome in yer kilts as we Scots are! Me folks spent a generation o’ two in County Antrim after crossing the North Channel leaving lowland Scotland in the 1600s, befor’n coming to America, and I appreciate the time ye afforded me family in growing potatoes, drinking ye ales and malts, and dancing with yer lovely green-eyed lassies. We’s have a lot of commonality, you and me - we both hate the stinkin’ English!

Hey Gavriel, today’s a day even you can don a kilt and raise a wee kosher dram in celebration! Don’t be shy, me boy.

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