By Andrea Ketis

The month of March follows many different celebrations, one of these being St. Patrick’s Day. This Irish holiday is observed every March 17, and is known as the feast day of St. Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland. Initially celebrated with religious services, the holiday became a secular celebration of Irish culture when it reached North America.

History

At its origins, St. Patrick’s Day celebrates the life story of St. Patrick, a fifth-century missionary and bishop. Surprisingly, St. Patrick was born in Great Britain – not Ireland – and is believed to have passed away on March 17 in 460 A.D. At the age of sixteen, he was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who had attacked his wealthy family’s estate. He was then transported to Ireland, where he was held captive in County Mayo near Killala. During this time, St. Patrick worked as a shepherd; having been lonely and afraid, he turned to Christianity.

Six years later, he escaped captivity. He walked to the Irish Coast, where he began religious training for fifteen years. Soon growing familiar and fond of the Irish language and culture, St. Patrick integrated traditional rituals into his lessons of Christianity. For instance, he used bonfires to celebrate Easter, since the Irish would honour their religious beings with fire. He also superimposed a sun (an Irish symbol) onto the Christian cross to form what is now known as the Celtic cross. Overall, St. Patrick was instrumental in bringing Christian beliefs to Ireland. 

St. Patrick’s Day in Canada

This holiday was introduced in Canada through Irish immigration, which began as early as the seventeenth century. The population of Irish Canadians had largely increased during The Great Famine of the 1840s; it is estimated that at least 110,000 Irish left Irish ports for Quebec, Saint John, and Halifax. As the celebration became integrated in North American traditions, it became less of a religious observance and more of a welcoming celebration of Irish identity. 

Modern Celebrations

When one thinks of St. Patrick’s day, they typically picture bright green vests and good luck charms. It is true that the colour green plays a large role in this event. After all, it represents the shamrock: a trifoliate clover, and powerful symbol of Ireland. However, the celebration also boasts other unique characteristics; for instance, the food that is eaten is corned beef and cabbage.

Music is also often associated with St. Patrick’s Day and Irish culture, originating from the ancient culture of the Celts. The Celts had an oral culture, where legend, history, and religion were passed from one generation to the next. Many traditional Irish bands include The Chieftains, Tommy Makem, and the Clancy Brothers.

Canada, specifically, also celebrates the holiday through parades. The largest parade takes place in downtown Montreal, and starts at noon at the corner of Fort and De Maisonneuve streets. There is also a smaller one in Toronto, which weaves its way through the city’s heart, from St. George and Bloor Streets.

In conclusion, St. Patrick’s Day is an important celebration of Irish culture and heritage. Through immigration, the holiday arrived in North America, and is now celebrated every March through parades and music.