Saint Patrick's
Day - History and Symbols
by Rachel
Keller
Saint Patrick's
Day is a controversial holiday. Many do not celebrate it because they think
Patrick was a tyrant who forced Christianity on others. Others believe Patrick
was a great missionary who opened Ireland to the gospel. Still others, see him
as a Roman Catholic. For many years, I ignored the day totally, and then I
decided to research the history of it. I include the results of my research for
you to understand the truth behind Saint Patrick's Day.
Saint Patrick's Day, which occurs on March 17, is an important
national holiday in Ireland. But just who was Saint Patrick and what do all the
symbols mean?
Called the Apostle of Ireland, Patrick was born some time during the fourth
century A.D. His birthplace is uncertain, but it was probably in southwestern
Britain. At age 16, Irish marauders captured Patrick and many others, carrying
them into slavery in Ireland. In his book Confessions, Patrick refers to his
capture as "our deservings; for we had gone away from God and had not kept
His commandments, and were not obedient to our pastors, who admonished us of our
salvation" (Habegger, p. 59).
Patrick became a herdsman for his Irish master. During this time, Patrick
testified that "the Lord opened to me a sense of my unbelief, that I
might...be converted with all my heart unto the Lord my God, who had looked upon
my humility, and had compassion on my youth and ignorance" (Habegger, p.
59). Following his conversion, Patrick became a man of prayer.
After six years of slavery, Patrick dreamed of his release from captivity.
Shortly thereafter, he did escape. He spent another two months in captivity
before returning to his homeland. Although his parents entreated him to stay in
his homeland, Patrick returned to Ireland as a missionary following a troubling
dream about the Irish entreating him to come back to Ireland. He began his
missionary work when he was 43.
Of Patrick's two surviving works (the Confessions and the Letter to Coroticus)
provide much detail to his life. Both are written in Latin and demonstrate his
acquaintance with the Vulgate translation of the Bible. Details of his long
ministry are missing from his Confessions, but Patrick saw much fruit from his
labor. He referred to baptizing "thousands." He also faced much
opposition including death threats. Legend reports that Patrick used the
shamrock to illustrate the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. (The shamrock is
now the Irish national symbol.)
March 17, the death date of Saint Patrick, has become a national holiday in
Ireland. Saint Patrick's day has been celebrated in America since 1737. That
year a group of Irish Protestants had met in Boston and founded the Charitable
Irish Society. Today, in many cities, Irish American communities sponsor
parades. Celebrants often dress in green, symbolic of the lush, green landscape
of Ireland.
Here is an excerpt from a hymn attributed to Saint Patrick:
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every
man who speaks to me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that
hears me.
Symbols of Saint Patrick's Day
Green symbolizes the lush landscape of Ireland.
Since earliest times, the Irish have considered most shamrocks, particularly the
small-leaved white clover, as good-luck symbols. This superstition has persisted
in modern times among people of many nationalities. Shamrocks or various
representations of the plant are worn by celebrants on Saint Patrick's Day. Many
believe that the hop clover was the original shamrock picked by Saint Patrick.
Leprechauns are a mythical race of elves who bestow their hidden treasure
on anyone who can catch them. They symbolize the famous "luck of the
Irish."
O Ireland isn't it grand you look-- Like a bride in her rich adornin? And with
all the pent-up love of my heart I bid you the top o' the mornin!
John Locke "The Exile's Return"
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Resources
Saints and Non-Saints by Christa Gingery Habegger (1987). Unusual Publications
Do You Know What Day Tomorrow Is? by Lee Bennet Hopkins and Misha Arenstain
(1985). Scholastic Inc.
Encyclopedia
Copyright 2002 by Rachel Keller
