St. Patrick's Day...A Day for religion or green beer?

Many people use St. Patrick’s Day for an excuse to drink and wear green sunglasses. I would include myself in this category, being that it is 8:49 pm on St. Patrick’s Day and I am already semi-drunk and writing on blogster.

Here in America St. Patrick's day is a huge holiday popularized by the large number of Irish immigrants that fled to America during the potato famine of the 1800's. In Ireland St. Patrick’s Day is not a very popular holiday, and is not even celebrated in most parts of the country. America’s St. Patrick’s Day was used to bring together the Irish community mainly in the cities of Boston and New York where the Irish community was very prominent. Essentially St. Patrick’s day has embedded itself in Irish American culture and has spread to all the diverse communities of America becoming an “American” holiday, and like many other American holidays (like the superbowl) has turned into an all out drunk-fest.

            St. Patrick was originally from Britain, born in the 4^th century. He was brought to Ireland as a captive where he lived for many years contemplating his escape back to England. He claims God himself spoke to him and told him that he must return to his homeland. So St. Patrick jumped on the next boat he could (discreetly of course) and returned to Britain. Soon after his return to England God spoke to St. Patrick again telling him to return to Ireland and to spread the ways of Christianity. So St. Patrick packed his bags again and returned to Ireland. When he returned, he acted as a loyal servant of god spreading the word of Jesus to the Pagan Irish. It is said that St. Patrick himself popularized Christianity in Ireland, leaving him the title of Patron Saint of Ireland and he essentially became the “Jesus” if you will of Ireland.

            So why would St. Patrick roll over in his grave on March 17^th? I couldn’t find any clever answers to this question online so I’m just going to give this blog a piece of my mind. St. Patrick’s day was founded as a day to represent Irish heritage, culture, and the Christian religion. Like many other Christian holidays the lines have been blurred between celebration, and CELEBRATION. This holidays importance and meaning has been turned into a national drinking competition, which was completely unintended. In no way shape or form was it meant to be this way. I am almost positive it makes St. Patrick roll over in his grave. But he needs to lighten up because although it has turned into a holiday destined for alcoholism (also part of Irish culture), it has also become a day of happiness and bonding between many people. In my opinion St. Patrick’s Day is a very positive holiday, and if I could I would pass St. Patrick a green beer right from my keg, so he could tip it back and enjoy the brighter side of life.