Happy St. Patrick's Day
by Lindy Hudis
I know this is supposed to be a writing and film blog, but, as a proud Irish American, I felt the need to wish you all a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and give you the rundown on this “Green” holiday that my family and I love and celebrate each year.
First, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year on March, 17th to honor St. Patrick, who is known as the patron saint of Ireland. However, he was not born Irish, and his journey was a long and tumultuous one, and he became one of the most celebrated religious figures in the world. Here is the scoop:
He was born in Britain, and lived the life of a normal little boy. One day, a band of pirates invaded south Wales, kidnapped him, and sold him into slavery in Ireland. While imprisoned there, he had visions of seeing God, and was told by Him to escape and go back to Britain, which he did about six grueling years later.
After he escaped, he went back home to Britain, then to France where he joined a monastery for twelve years. It was then that he had another vision from God, telling him to return to Ireland, and with the Pope’s blessing he did. It was there he began to spread the word of Christianity to the mostly Pagan Irish. He died on March 17, AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since.
Now, this is the legend that I grew up with (I wasn’t there…I’m not THAT old) but the legend and the facts seem to have stood the test of time. They have given all of us insight on why we all celebrate this important day. In our Irish home, we celebrate this day with a feast of corned beef, cabbage, and Irish bread. It is also interesting to me that this holiday should fall in the springtime, where nature’s green begins to show itself again, like the icons of the green color: the tri-leafed shamrock, the leprechaun, or the pot of gold and Blarney's stone- all came to be associated with the celebration of this Day. Much of Irish culture has become entrenched as the symbols for this day.
Our Irish relatives over on the “Emerald Isle” have told us that the Americans take St. Patrick’s Day more seriously than the Irish back home, and that does not surprise me in the least. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said to George M. Cohan: "You Irish-Americans carry your love of your country more than anybody." Or something like that, (lol).
Now, wear something green today, or I will personally come pinch you! Just kidding.
Until next time!
Lindy S. Hudis
I know this is supposed to be a writing and film blog, but, as a proud Irish American, I felt the need to wish you all a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and give you the rundown on this “Green” holiday that my family and I love and celebrate each year.
First, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year on March, 17th to honor St. Patrick, who is known as the patron saint of Ireland. However, he was not born Irish, and his journey was a long and tumultuous one, and he became one of the most celebrated religious figures in the world. Here is the scoop:
He was born in Britain, and lived the life of a normal little boy. One day, a band of pirates invaded south Wales, kidnapped him, and sold him into slavery in Ireland. While imprisoned there, he had visions of seeing God, and was told by Him to escape and go back to Britain, which he did about six grueling years later.
After he escaped, he went back home to Britain, then to France where he joined a monastery for twelve years. It was then that he had another vision from God, telling him to return to Ireland, and with the Pope’s blessing he did. It was there he began to spread the word of Christianity to the mostly Pagan Irish. He died on March 17, AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since.
Now, this is the legend that I grew up with (I wasn’t there…I’m not THAT old) but the legend and the facts seem to have stood the test of time. They have given all of us insight on why we all celebrate this important day. In our Irish home, we celebrate this day with a feast of corned beef, cabbage, and Irish bread. It is also interesting to me that this holiday should fall in the springtime, where nature’s green begins to show itself again, like the icons of the green color: the tri-leafed shamrock, the leprechaun, or the pot of gold and Blarney's stone- all came to be associated with the celebration of this Day. Much of Irish culture has become entrenched as the symbols for this day.
Our Irish relatives over on the “Emerald Isle” have told us that the Americans take St. Patrick’s Day more seriously than the Irish back home, and that does not surprise me in the least. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said to George M. Cohan: "You Irish-Americans carry your love of your country more than anybody." Or something like that, (lol).
Now, wear something green today, or I will personally come pinch you! Just kidding.
Until next time!
Lindy S. Hudis
Happy St. Patrick's Day Lindy! ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy St.Patrick's Day! Don't forget to drink green beer today.
ReplyDeleteHappy St. Patrick's Day!
ReplyDeleteBelated for a happy St Patrick's Day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the 'explanation', Lindy.
And, it just happenes that when people are in a land far away from their native land, their roots and identity show even more. Just look at the Indians in Britain, and even in Mauritius.
Hugs
Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn)
Well, from a gal living in London, Happy belated St P's to you too!
ReplyDeleteKx