Happy St.Patrick's Day

Why Saint Patrick's Day?
Saint Patrick's Day has come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck. Most importantly, to those who celebrate its intended meaning, St. Patrick's Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide.

So, why is it celebrated on March 17th? One theory is that that is the day that St. Patrick died. Since the holiday began in Ireland, it is believed that as the Irish spread out around the world, they took with them their history and celebrations. The biggest observance of all is, of course, in Ireland. With the exception of restaurants and pubs, almost all businesses close on March 17th. Being a religious holiday as well, many Irish attend mass, where March 17th is the traditional day for offering prayers for missionaries worldwide before the serious celebrating begins.

In American cities with a large Irish population, St. Patrick's Day is a very big deal. Big cities and small towns alike celebrate with parades, "wearing of the green," music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids such as crafts, coloring and games. Some communities even go so far as to dye rivers or streams green!

http://www.st-patricks-day.com/about_saintpatrick.asp

From Saturday Night Live re March 17:

Jane Curtin: Millions of Americans are celebrating St. Patrick's day today, and here with a comment is our good friend Father Guido Sarducci. Father Sarducci?

Father Guido Sarducci: [ smoking cigarette ] Thank-a you, thank-a you. Most-a people are very aware that-a Saint Patrick is-a the patron Saint of-a Ireland. He lived around-a the year 400, 500, right in-a there. Most people-a know him because-a they think that he chased-a the snakes from-a Ireland. But actually, that's not-a the truth. Really, he didn't-a chase them, he kind of-a led them. He was-a kind like a pied piper for snakes. I don't know, it was-a just something about him that snakes liked-a to follow him around, you know. And-a you may think-a that snakes go very fast and they do if they're just going short distances. But, like-a, when they're on a long journey, they go very, very slowly. And-a Saint Patrick, he had-a to walk-a very, very slow, and all of the snakes followed him, and then he tricked them. He went into the ocean, and they all followed him, and he went way, way out, and he waited till they all drowned, and then heswam back in. That's-a what he did.

You see, he was a good-a saint. But he wasn't a great-a saint. Like-a Saint Joseph, the patron saint of Italy. He's a great-a saint and not just a good-a saint. You know, Saint Joseph's named day is-a coming up-March 19th, only two days away. But-a, there won't-a be no parades, no parties, not even a song for Saint-a Joseph. And-a the reason is-a because of-a Saint Patrick. You know, it's just like having a birthday two days after Christmas-you just don't get-a the same attention, you know. And it just-a breaks my heart that he was a great-a saint, and this good, mediocre saint gets all-a the glory.

Thank you Vicky and yogionefromobie for all the information about St.Patrick's day.

Have a very Happy St.Patrick's Day everyone.

Have a happy St.Patrick's Day everyone..


Sincerely,
Gisele

quote:

Originally posted by yogionefromobie:
Most-a people are very aware that-a Saint Patrick is-a the patron Saint of-a Ireland. He lived around-a the year 400, 500, right in-a there. Most people-a know him because-a they think that he chased-a the snakes from-a Ireland. But actually, that's not-a the truth. Really, he didn't-a chase them, he kind of-a led them. He was-a kind like a pied piper for snakes. I don't know, it was-a just something about him that snakes liked-a to follow him around, you know. And-a you may think-a that snakes go very fast and they do if they're just going short distances. But, like-a, when they're on a long journey, they go very, very slowly. And-a Saint Patrick, he had-a to walk-a very, very slow, and all of the snakes followed him, and then he tricked them. He went into the ocean, and they all followed him, and he went way, way out, and he waited till they all drowned, and then he swam back in. That's-a what he did.

I'm certain my little SNL excerpt was not taken the wrong way in these chambers even if t.v. is rarely visited in favor of more hallowed literary ground.

And a very happy St. Joseph's day to everyone on the nineteenth.

Since Green is my favorite color, I feel quite comfortable about the March 17th occasion, which was, and is still a big event in NY where I grew up. It is the biggest parade besides the Thanksgiving event with the giant balloons.

There are few things that compare to a marching band of bagpipers when you're a kid.

It's not easy being green. It's better to simply wear some!

Erin Go Bragh.

Thank you everyone for your input, and thank you Vicky for posting.

Have a Happy St.Patrick's Day everyone
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St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time - a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic. ~Attributed to Adrienne Cook

HAPPY ST.PATRICK'S DAY

St.Patrick's Day will be here soon, so let us celebrate.
Sending good wishes to all.

Love,
Vicky

I will not be here later on this week, so wishing all who celebrate a very happy St. Patrick's Day.

Sincerely,
Gisele

HAPPY ST.PATRICK'S DAY

Love,
Sue

Wishing you all who celebrate a

Happy St.Patrick's Day



May you find your pot of gold.

Love, Inda

HAPPY ST>PATRICK,S DAY

Love,
yoko