St. Patrick’s Day is more than just a day to pinch those people not wearing green or an excuse to wear tons of shamrocks or attend mass parades.  It’s a day that is actually rooted in religion and is an annual feast to celebrate the most famous of the patron saints in Ireland, Saint Patrick.  The traditions that have been celebrated each year on March 17th by people all around the world have evolved over the years. AS early as the 17th century people celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green ribbons and shamrocks. Shamrocks, specifically, were attributed to the patron saint as it is said that Saint Patrick used to have the shamrock, which is a three-leaved plant, to explain and represent the Holy Trinity.  Today, shamrocks are synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day.

Annual celebrations have extended beyond simply wearing green or shamrocks, but now include parades and whole weekends dedicated to the holiday.  In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday, a bank holiday (most people not employed in essential services, such as utilities, health, law enforcement, etc have the day off) in Northern Ireland, and a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland. Around the world in Canada, the US, Great Britain, New Zealand, and even Montserrat (an island in the Caribbean), various cities hold parades. In Chicago, Illinois city officials even go as far as to dye the Chicago River green each year!!

Aside from the celebrations, it is important to realize the religious traditions that are the primary reason for this holiday.  This is something that the Catholic Church does not take lightly.  St. Patrick’s Day is always designated as March 17th, however if March 17th falls within Holy Week, arrangements are made to celebrate the holiday on another date.  For instance, in 1940, St. Patrick’s Day fell on Palm Sunday and was subsequently celebrated on April 3rd as to not interfere with religious celebrations.  Another instance of moving the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day occurred in 2008 when St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated on March 15th.  This isn’t a rare occurrence, with the next conflict not arising until the year 2160, nonetheless, Roman Catholics in Ireland and Catholics across the world make necessary changes to honor their religious beliefs while still making time to celebrate the fun holiday!

Whether overseas or in the US make sure to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, which falls on Wednesday, March 17th!! Find a celebration, wear green and wear a shamrock! What other day during the year do you have an excuse to embrace everything green and get to see a green river?! It only happens once a year, so make sure you ENJOY!