Saint Patrick's Day Definition and SummarySaint Patrick's Day celebrates the Irish bishop and missionary, Patrick. He lived in the fifth century, and is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day is a popular secular holiday in Ireland, the United States, and other countries. Prayers: St. Patrick's Day Prayers Basic FactsLiturgical Color(s): Violet (in Lent); White (when celebrated as a solemnity) IntroductionSaint Patrick (Latin: Patricius) was a Christian missionary to Ireland, the son of Calpornius and Conchessa. It is likely that he was born in AD 387, and died in AD 493, although the exact dating of his life is uncertain. Nonetheless, evidence suggests Patrick was active as a missionary in Ireland during the latter part of the fifth century. He was born to a high-ranking family in Roman Britain. At age sixteen, he was captured by Irish raiders, and taken to Ireland as a slave. While there, he learned the Celtic language. After six years, he escaped, and returned to his family in Britain, where he entered the Church, and eventually became a bishop, having been ordained by St. Germanus, bishop of Auxerre. Patrick later returned to Ireland as a missionary, working in the northern and western areas of the country. As a missionary, Patrick baptized thousands, ordained many priests, and converted wealthy men and women who became monks and nuns. He is often associated with St. Brigid, another patron of Ireland, who was possibly an Irish abbess. He set up an Episcopal administration (bishops, priests, and deacons) in Ireland, and led a monastic lifestyle. Although not a martyr or confessor, St. Patrick nonetheless encountered great hostility and was often held a prisoner for his deeds in Ireland. At one point some of his enemies decreed his death, but the sentence was never carried out. Perhaps because of these incidents, he is honored as a martyr in a few ancient martyrologies. The popular Breastplate of Saint Patrick, an old Irish hymn, is attributed to Saint Patrick, although scholars date it to the 8th century on linguistic grounds. For the words to this beautiful hymn, visit our Saint Patrick's Day Prayers page.
Many scholars believe that much of the life and actions of Saint Palladius have been subsumed into the legend of Saint Patrick. Palladius was a Roman deacon who persuaded Pope Celestine I to send St. Germanus to stamp out the Pelagian heresy in Britain. Later, according to fifth century writer Saint Prosper of Aquitaine, Pope Celestine sent Palladius to be the first bishop of the Irish, before Patrick arrived as a bishop. Seventh century accounts of Saint Patrick portray Palladius as an unsuccessful missionary, who abandoned his task (or perhaps died), paving the way for the work of Saint Patrick. Whatever the role of Saint Palladius in spreading Christianity to Ireland, Saint Patrick apparently made a deeper impression upon the Irish people than did Palladius, and some of the acts of Palladius became conflated with those of Saint Patrick in later historical accounts. However, even if this is true, it does not cast doubt upon the saintliness of Patrick, whose life and actions have been approved by the Church. St. Patrick's Day HistorySaint Patrick's Day is observed in March 17, the date of Patrick's death. This feast always falls during Lent, and is a commemoration, meaning that other, more important, feasts and fasts take liturgical precedence over this holiday. This is why in some years, the official Catholic observance of the holiday falls on a date other than March 17. Because the commemoration always falls during Lent, the liturgical color of Saint Patrick's Day is violet. However, when celebrated as a solemnity (for example, in Ireland), the liturgical color is white. Since St. Patrick is associated with Ireland, the "Emerald Isle," the color popularly associated with his holiday is green, the color we have employed for this page. However, oddly enough, at one time, blue was the color commonly associated with Saint Patrick's Day. While Saint Patrick's Day has been celebrated since the first millennium in Ireland, it is due to the influence of Franciscan Luke Wadding in the early 17th century, that the feast is on the general calendar of the universal Church. While originally only a religious holiday, Saint Patrick's Day has developed into a popular secular holiday in many countries, including Ireland (where it is a federal holiday) and the United States which has a large Irish-American population. One popular custom is Saint Patrick's Day parades, which originated in the United States. The first known parade occurred in 1737 in Boston. Another popular custom is eating green foods (including those that have been dyed green, e.g. green beer). Another custom is wearing some item of green clothing, and pinching those that do not. Partying is also associated with Saint Patrick's Day, although the Church does not sanction parties that lead to sinful behavior. Worship and Prayer Resources
Saint Patrick's Day Prayers St. Patrick's Day Art, Photos, and Images
More Liturgical Artwork Traditions, Customs, and SymbolsTraditions and Customs Symbols Frequently Asked Questions1. Is Saint Patrick a Patron Saint? 2. Why Does the Catholic Church Sometimes Change the Date of Saint Patrick's Day? 3. Why is Saint Patrick Associated With Snakes? 4. What is Saint Patrick's Purgatory? Church Year BooksHoly Bible: New Jerusalem Bible General Links
"Confession" of Saint Patrick About and ContactTo learn more about us, click here. If you have any suggestions or information you would like to add to our Church Year. Net pages, please contact us. This page written by Jonathan Bennett and David Bennett. Last updated 03-08-2013. | ||||
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