St. Patrick's Day

March 17th is believed to be the death date of St. Patrick. As such, it is celebrated as his feast day which is popularly celebrated as St. Patrick's Day.

The first civic and public celebration of Saint Patrick's Day in the 13 colonies took place in Boston, Massachusetts in 1737.Today, Saint Patrick's Day is widely celebrated in America by Irish and non-Irish alike.

Americans celebrate the holiday by wearing green clothing. Many people, regardless of ethnic background, wear green-colored clothing and items. Traditionally, those who are caught not wearing green are pinched. Alcohol, particularly green beer, is the center of many American celebrations.


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Although historically an American meal, corned beef and cabbage is the most common meal eaten in the United States for St. Patrick's Day.

Another popular icon for St. Patrick's Day is the leprechaun. In Irish mythology, a leprechaun is a type of male faerie believed to inhabit the island of Ireland before the arrival of the Celts.

Leprechauns and other creatures of Irish mythology are often associated with "faerie forts" or "faerie rings" - often the sites of ancient (Celtic or pre-Celtic) earthworks or drumlins. Although the Leprechaun has a significant body of literature reaching back into the 19th century and perhaps beyond via oral history there is no direct reference to the Leprechaun in what are known as "ancient Irish tales". One reference from the life of St. Brendan of Clonfert does mention an island of little people however, they do not have the cultural traits of the Leprechaun.

Leprechauns usually take the form of old men who enjoy partaking in mischief. Their trade is that of a cobbler or shoemaker.

"The Wearing of the Green" is an anonymous Irish street ballad dating to 1798. Though it was published by the Irish-born playwright Dion Boucicault, he only authored the last verse.

Wearing a green shamrock in the hat was a sign of rebellion because green was the color of a republican revolutionary organization called the "Society of the United Irishmen". A person could put be hanged for wearing and displaying revolutionary insignia during the period of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. The context of the song is the repression that led up to and followed the rebellion.

Lyrics


O Paddy dear, an' did ye hear the news that's goin' round?

The shamrock is by law forbid to grow on Irish ground;

St. Patrick's Day no more we'll keep, his colour can't be seen,

For there's a cruel law agin the wearin' o' the Green.

I met wid Napper Tandy[1] and he took me by the hand,

And he said, "How's dear ould Ireland, and how does she stand?"

She's the most distressful country that ever yet was seen,

For they're hangin' men an' women there for the wearin' o' the Green.

Then since the colour we must wear is England's cruel red,

Sure Ireland's sons will ne'er forget the blood that they have shed,

You may take a shamrock from your hat and cast it on the sod,

It will take root and flourish there though underfoot it's trod.

When law can stop the blades of grass from growin' as they grow,

And when the leaves in summer-time their colour dare not show,

Then will I change the colour, too, I wear in my caubeen

But 'till that day, please God, I'll stick to wearin' o' the Green.

But if at last our colour should be torn from Ireland's heart,

Her sons with shame and sorrow from the dear old isle will part;

I've heard a whisper of a land that lies beyond the sea

Where rich and poor stand equal in the light of freedom's day.

O Erin, must we leave you driven by a tyrant's hand?

Must we ask a mother's blessing from a strange and distant land?

Where the cruel cross of England shall nevermore be seen,

And where, please God, we'll live and die still wearin' o' the green!


The Wearing of the Green St. Patrick's Day Card by voodoomama
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Get the traditional Irish song on one of these CDs:



John McCormack: The Acoustic Victor and HMV Recordings (1912-14)

[LP Record] House Party - Various Artists

St. Patrick's Blue refers to a blue, often but not always dark blue, associated with St. Patrick. Although St. Patrick is depicted in green bishop's robes and mitre today, the saint was more often shown wearing blue garments before the 20th century. This same blue can be seen on ancient Irish flags and on the uniforms the Irish special forces wear to this day.

According to legend, St. Patrick used the shamrock-with its three leaves-to teach about the Trinity. You can create your own shamrock with this simple and fun project. The supplies you will need are:

* Green construction paper

* Scissors

* Glue

* Crayons

* Various decorative items, such as stickers, glitter, buttons, ribbon, etc.

Cut three hearts and a stem out of green construction paper. (You can decorate the hearts by drawing pictures, adding stickers or gluing on other craft items.) Glue the bottoms of the hearts together and then attach the stem.

It's also said that finding a four-leaf clover will bring you good luck. Since they're very hard to find, why not make your own? Just use four hearts instead of three!

From: http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Mar2004/Family.asp

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In Irish tradition the Shamrock or Three-leaf Clover represents the Holy Trinity: one leaf for the Father, one for the Son and one for the Holy Spirit. When a Shamrock is found with the fourth leaf, it represents God's Grace.

The four leaf clover is a universally accepted symbol of good luck with its origin ages old. According to legend, Eve carried a four leaf clover from the Garden of Eden.

"The clovers also occupied a position in the cultural life of early peoples. White clover (T. repens L.) in particular was held in high esteem by the early Celts of Wales as a charm against evil spirits." Clover Science and Technology". N.L. Taylor, 1985.

Druids held the 4 leaf clover in high esteem and considered them a sign of luck. In 1620, Sir John Melton wrote: "If a man walking in the fields find any four-leaved grass, he shall in a small while after find some good thing."

The mystique of the four leaf clover continues today, since finding a real four leaf clover is still a rare occurrence and omen of good luck.

One leaf is for FAITH...
The second for HOPE...
The third for LOVE...
And the fourth for LUCK!

Reference
http://www.fourleafclover.com/4fact.html

This day I call to me:
God's strength to direct me,
God's power to sustain me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's vision to light me,
God's ear to my hearing,
God's word to my speaking,
God's hand to uphold me,
God's pathway before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's legions to save me.

Saint Patrick, from his breastplate

St. Patrick's Day in the Morning (Clarion Books)

Luckiest St. Patrick's Day Ever

St. Patrick's Day Countdown

It's St. Patrick's Day (Scholastic Readers)

Lets Celebrate St Patricks Day