FRISCO, TEXAS — When you think of St. Patrick’s Day, what are the first images that come to mind? Do you imagine wearing green clothes or accessories (and the repercussions that follow if you don’t), searching for four-leaf clovers in a field, or leprechauns guarding a pot of gold under a rainbow? Regardless of what images you may conceive, St. Patrick’s Day is a significant holiday in Irish and global culture. It recognizes the arrival of St. Patrick in Ireland, bringing with him Christianity, which changed the nation forever.
Despite popular belief, Saint Patrick wasn’t born in Ireland. His real name wasn’t even St. Patrick. It was Maewyn Succat. Maewyn Succat was born in Roman Britain or modern-day Scotland or Wales. He was captured by Irish raiders and spent six years as a slave, but he managed to escape and return home. It was then he decided to dedicate his life to becoming a Christian missionary.
After being inspired by a letter he received in a vision from an Irish man named Victoricus, “We beg you, holy boy, to come and walk again among us,” he traveled back to Ireland, where he converted countless people to Christianity. His works earned him the name “Saint Patrick.” With his newfound title, he used the three-leaf shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today, this symbol is still widely associated with St. Patrick’s Day. His work in Ireland made him one of the most significant historical figures in the country, and that’s why the day of his death, March 17th, is celebrated.
During the St. Patrick’s Day Festival, which is a three-day festival taking place in Dublin, people come together dressed in bright green attire to enjoy music gigs, walking tours, food fairs, and art exhibitions. Then, everyone gathers for a rather grand finale, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which concludes the festival with people from all over the world enjoying the culture and various activities taking place in the streets. Similarly, New York City also showcases its parade. Thousands of participants march up to 5th Avenue while millions watch over television as various musicians and performers display their talent.
“St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday that most people take for granted,” senior Emily Kelly said. “It is a great opportunity to celebrate Irish culture and the Patron Saint of Ireland!”
