For the first time since 1940 Millions will celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day a little differently than usual. After much debate church officials decided to move the celebration due to conflicting dates with their Holy Week. St. Paddy’s day festivities will be taking place all across the globe from March 14th through April 2nd.
Though typically celebrated with alcoholic beverages, parades of green, and all things Irish, there is a religious aspect to this barroom holiday. In the Catholic religion, when a saint dies they honor them with their own day of feast. So when you’re sipping on your Guinness remember to give thanks to the patron saint of Ireland.
According to www.wilstar.com, Saint Patrick was born in Wales around 385 AD. He considered himself a pagan until the age of sixteen when he adopted the Christian faith after being captured and sold into slavery. After escaping his captors he went to Gaul where he studied in the Monastery of St. Germain. During this time he decided that his calling was to convert the Irish pagans to Christianity. It is in remembrance of him that we celebrate this festive holiday.
With parades taking place all over the world in locations such as Denmark and Argentina, it is clear that Saint Paddy’s Day is observed by the Irish and non-Irish alike. With such a wonderful excuse to drink and pinch your friends, it’s no wonder everyone wants to be Irish on St. Paddy’s Day.
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