Why St. Patrick’s Day is not Catholic
St. Patrick - it’s hard to find an image of him that is not green. (Huh! Green = Ordinary Time. Irish Green = ordinary people. I’m on to something here!)
St. Patrick’s Day - March 17 - it’s almost here!!!
It seems to me half of the population in the United States is Irish, and on St. Patrick’s Day it seems the entire country becomes Irish for a day. The St. Patrick’s Day parade in NYC is a big deal - politically, especially since gay people are always so anxious to have a place in it.
My Grandmother’s maiden name was Rooney - so that Irish heritage thing was always shoved down our throats. She owned a millinery shop in Downtown St. Paul, and fancied herself “lace curtain Irish” as opposed to the lower class “shanty Irish”. She was a big snob, and a big drinker. For my family, St. Patrick’s day was a day to hang one on, dress up in green, and become a bit debauched. Hence my assertion, the celebration of St. Patrick’s day is not Catholic - even though Nana considered herself more Catholic than the Pope.
Once, when my parents were out celebrating with my Grandparents, my dad told some joke about the Irish. Nana got mad and slapped him across the face with her sea shell encrusted handbag, calling him a “G– D— Swede!” sending him to the emergency room with multiple cuts. She was such an exemplary Catholic.
In the ’50’s, if my family may have been the exception to the exaggerated celebration of St. Patrick’s day, nowadays, they would be the norm. It’s a debauched and alcoholic holiday. It has nothing to do with St. Patrick, save the name. It has become an excuse to party, to behave in the most rude, vulgar and undignified manner possible by the ‘best of people’, all in the name of a saint.
While most of the revelers wouldn’t be caught dead in a Catholic Church - well maybe they would if they are Irish descent. They like their parties, so a Catholic wedding and Catholic funeral would be important to them- bookends for their life as it were. I hear baptisms and First Communions are pretty chic for them to celebrate as well. They have to show off the “lace curtains” you know.
Yeah, St. Patrick is one of the very few saints I have little devotion for. And I usually try to hide the fact that I have Irish heritage…which is hard to do now since I’ve inherited that awful Rooney nose!
I only warmed up to the Irish as a people when I actually met real Irish nationals as pilgrims in Lourdes. They were not at all as obnoxious as the American Irish. (Think Kennedy family when you read ‘obnoxious’.) The folks from Ireland were humble, devout, and normal - no big nationalistic pride was evident - and they didn’t want me to kiss them because they were Irish. Not a few Irish Americans want that - people to kiss their…er…butts.
My apologies if I offend any Irish out there. 
Just remember, I grew up in an Italian neighborhood, and my inlaws are Italian descent - they can be just as obnoxious as Irish Americans, while Italians in Italy are the most loveliest of people. Go figure.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
I still love you, Terry, even though I’m Irish…and Swedish…
I’m not going to hit you, though.
My family names are Carrick, Carrigan, and something else. I think we’re a bunch of shanty Irish that came over in the potato famine. On my Dad’s side, we’re artists and singers (Swedes) who like Vodka instead of Ale.
I like St. Patrick’s Day, but I’ve never been out to the bars on that night…or rarely, anyway.
The green river doesn’t do anything for me. I don’t get it. Green beer? Please. Just give me a good pint o’ Guinness, and if you’re going to dye your own green, it must be water so I won’t drink, then, either.
Whatever.
I love St. Patrick’s prayer:
Christ with me,
of St. Patrick
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ beside me,
Christ to win me
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ at my right,
Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot,
Christ in the ship,
Christ in quiet,
Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Terry what a sterling post!
March 15th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Being 50-50 of the best of the what the world has to offer, Polish and Irish, I’ll pipe in here.
And pretty much agree with you.
You mention that you don’t have much devotion for St Patrick. I don’t think anybody does. I’ve not heard of anybody ever praying to him to find their keys, fix their Internet connection, cure their lumbago or solve any other of thousands of human problems.
It is interesting that St Patrick’s Day comes in the middle of Lent and all of our Bishops treat it like they treat pro-choice politicians: “That’s all right, boys.”
There weren’t many Irish in Duluth when I was growing up and even the Irish nuns and priests didn’t make a big deal about St Patrick’s
Day. And nobody went out and drank because it was Lent. Or they weren’t 21 yet.
My Irish Mom never made a big deal of St Patrick’s Day other than serving corned beef and cabbage (which we all hated, I think, I have to say “I think” because I have a brother who “religiously” reads this blog and lets me know if my memory with respect to family history has begun to fail).
But the two things she lectured me on as I was about to head off to college in the big city was “Don’t wear orange on St Patrick’s Day” and “Let moderation be your guide.”
I’m proud to say that I kept her first request and sheepishly admit that I haven’t always observed the second over the years. But I’m trying.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
I’m not offended, but I would be without the comment about the Irish Nationals though–my mom is one. She is completely normal, and a total sweetheart. I always loved St. Pat’s because it was the only day between Ash Weds. and Easter that we could eat the things we gave up for Lent.
Unfortunately, she seems to be of the last generation of Irish that takes pride in being from a Catholic country. St Pat’s should be about praying for the young men and women of Ireland.
March 15th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
I can’t wait for Don Marco to read this post - he will surely blow me out of the water - he is Irish/Italian descent.
March 15th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Okay Terry, you know I read and enjoy your blog quite often… but now you are treading on thin ice with the Irish comments… I’m 100% and very proud of it… just love my Irish heritage. I have a huge family party every year and continue teaching my granchildren what the wearin’ of the green and the shamrock really stand for! I have a son who has a very strong devotion to the great St. Patrick. I have fond memories of my parents bringing my brother and I to Our Lady of Good Counsel Cancer Home on every year to sing sweet Irish songs to the sick and dying. I do agree that there are way too many non-Irish drunks on March 17th, but I’m not going to let them ruin my day:-)
GO MBEANNAI DIA DUIT!
March 16th, 2007 at 6:47 am
But…but…but…Collen! You are definitely one of those obnoxious ones!
At the Cancer Home you must remember Sr. Patrick - the holy Irish nun - and Sr. Imelda, with the Dominican habit made from shamrock printed fabric? I should have mentioned how much they helped me to understand the good, clean fun the feast of St. Patrick always offers in the middle of Lent.
God bless the Irish! And have mercy on my Nana.
March 16th, 2007 at 8:47 am
I feel a blog post coming on….
Signed:
Not at all Irish
March 16th, 2007 at 8:49 am
I am blowing you out of the water, Terry Nelson. (Clear the floor.) I have great devotion to Saint Patrick. How can anyone say that no one has devotion to Saint Patrick????? I have never heard of such a thing.
I have just done a series about Saint Patrick’s shrines on my blog and the faithfulness of the Irish people through many ordeals. Yes, there are many bog-Irish, ignorant, obnoxious people of Celtic extraction who give Saint Patrick’s day a bad name. My husband grew up with them in Philadephia and tells me horror stories all the time.
My relatives were of the “lace curtain” variety and very devout, refined, gracious people. But they settled in Ontario, not in a major American city. The Irish that were dumped in American cities during the Great Famine were of a rougher sort. They had to be, to survive.
Go easy on the Irish, dear.
Author John Zmirak has a great article on the Catholic way to celebrate Saint Pat’s Day. I linked to it today, it is excellent.
March 16th, 2007 at 9:01 am
Here, Terry darling, are some articles about the noble and good side of the Irish, which you, and anyone of Irish descent can be proud of.
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/
2007/03/irish-way.html
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/
2007/03/daniel-oconnell.html
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/
2007/03/mass-rocks-and-hedge-schools.html
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/
2007/03/penal-laws-in-ireland.html
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/
2007/03/croagh-patrick.html
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/
2007/03/saint-patricks-purgatory.html
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/
2007/03/novena-to-saint-patrick-begins-today.html
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/
2007/03/irish-easter.html
March 16th, 2007 at 9:03 am
There is much to be proud of in our Irish heritage.
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/
2007/03/irish-way.html
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/
2007/03/daniel-oconnell.html
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/
2007/03/mass-rocks-and-hedge-schools.html
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/
2007/03/penal-laws-in-ireland.html
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/
2007/03/croagh-patrick.html
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/
2007/03/saint-patricks-purgatory.html
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/
2007/03/novena-to-saint-patrick-begins-today.html
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/
2007/03/irish-easter.html
March 16th, 2007 at 9:11 am
Sorry, Terry, my Irish temper got the better of me.
March 16th, 2007 at 9:35 am
I just reported you to Don Marco.
March 16th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
I may have given the wrong impression and short shrift to my Irish heritage, something of which I am extremely proud.
For 30 years I have pursued my study of my family history and the history and culture of Ireland. There is much there.
Elena has some nice brief items in those links that will inform those of you who know little of that tiny island (about the size of South Carolina)whose progeny have spread far and wide and come to rule English speaking countries far larger than Ireland.
And let us not forget men like Bernardo O’Higgins, Chile’s hero of its independence from Spain, the “Wild Geese”, Catholic fighting men of Ireland who fled to France about 1700 and fought honorably for France and Spain for two hundred years, and their descendant who became Marshal of France, Minister of War and later President of France, Patrice McMahon.
Even much of England’s hated “redcoat army” that colonized most of the world were staffed with Irishmen who needed the money as opposed to starving, while waiting for their father to die.
Yes, those pesky Irishmen, did pretty well for themselves and for us.
Happy St Patrick’s Day, all. I suspect I’ll have a Jameson’s tomorrow afternoon.
March 16th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Dearest Terry, Pray to Saint Patrick. His particular grace is to bind souls to Christ, the Child of Mary, in penitence and in hope. And for your penance, read every single post that Elena Maria Vidal gives you above!
March 16th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Thank you, Ray. Thank you, Don Marco. I accidentally posted some of the links twice, sorry.
Terry, I like your Nana. She sounds like a spirited lady. (Wish I could borrow her handbag!)
Happy Saint Patrick’s day to all!!!! (Even you, Terry. Have fun with your penance.)
March 17th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Terry,
Excellent post, and I heartily agree. Certainly I should have one beer, possibly two, as I am accustomed to do from time to time, with meals or with my pipe. Certainly there is nothing wrong with others doing likewise, and certainly it is better to give it all up as a Lenten sacrifice. Yet to get drunk and act like bafoons, that is no the spirit of the Irish, nor is it the traditional celebration, and sadly our Bishops approve this state of things every year when several of them give “corned beef indults” if St. Patrick’s day should fall on one of the 8 or so days that modern Church discipline actually requires us to abstain from something.
I have mirrored your thoughts on my blog, and would like to link my brief post on the major figures and sufferings of Irish history if it is okay