St Patrick's Day is celebrated annually on March 17th, the traditional religious feast day of St. Patrick and the day he is believed to have died in 460 A.D. The Irish have observed this religious holiday for hundreds of years. But, how did we come to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the United States?
St. Patrick is the beloved patron saint of Ireland. The Irish are famous for turning stories into exaggerated tales, so despite the infamous tales you may have heard about St Patrick, quite little is actually known about his life. We do know that St Patrick was born in Britain and that at the age of 16 was captured by Irish raiders who attacked his family's estate. He was then transported to Ireland where he was held captive in slavery for six years, living a solitary, lonely life as a shepherd. It was then that he became a devout Christian, embracing his faith for comfort. From his writing, we know that God spoke to him in a dream, urging him to leave Ireland. He did. Walking nearly 200 miles, Patrick escaped to Britain and sought Christianity with singleness of heart.
After 15 years of study, Patrick was ordained as a priest and sent to Ireland. His mission was to minister to Christians and to convert the Irish, who were at that time predominantly pagans, to Christianity. Because Patrick was familiar with the Irish language and culture from his years of captivity, he chose to incorporate Irish ritual and symbols into his teachings rather than to eradicate Irish beliefs. Thus, was born the Celtic cross. Patrick superimposed the sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the traditional Christian cross so that the result would seem more natural to the Irish.
Today, St Patrick's Day celebrations abound. Decidedly less religious, St Patrick's Day celebrations continue to be a show of Irish strength and patriotism.
The first St Patrick's Day parade was held in New York City on March 17, 1762. Irish Americans were not the first, however, to celebrate the feast of St Patrick. Irish families have traditionally celebrated the feast of St Patrick as a religious holiday for thousands of years—a great pause during the Christian season of Lent when prohibitions were lifted for one day of dancing, drinking and feasting on meat. So, get out your green and get ready to celebrate! Corned beef and cabbage anyone? Head out to Woody’s Classic Grill in Grand Terrace for their St Paddy’s Day Feast. Choose from tender Corned Beef and Cabbage, a hearty Irish stew, a mile-high Corned Beef sandwich, and of course Green Beer! Come and enjoy your feast, available Saturday and Sunday March 16th and 17th! Woody’s is located at 22400 Barton Road, Suite 1, Grand Terrace.