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Celebrating St . Patrick's Day
March 06, 2008
In our world, St. Patrick's Day has become a day to celebrate being Irish – even if one is not, except on this one day. For many, it could mean a meal of corned beef and cabbage, or even green beer while singing songs such as Danny Boy. It is celebrated with great jubilation and
cheer, many times in a local tavern. But some may not actually know where this all began or why.
Born in Scotland, Patrick was captured in his teens during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. During his six years of captivity, he turned to God in prayer. After he escaped, he had a dream that the people of Ireland were calling out to him. He studied for the priesthood and later was ordained a Bishop. Patrick then returned to Ireland
preaching the Gospel and converting many to Christianity. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions during his 40 years in Ireland. It is said that Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and it has been associated with him and the Irish since that time.
For the first time in many years, St. Patrick's Day falls during the holiest of weeks for Catholics, and most Christians. Monday, March 17, 2008 is the Monday of Holy Week – the first weekday of steadfast prayer and reflection preparing for the great celebrations of Easter. Since this is a holy week that all Catholics are called to observe with due respect, it might not be the best time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day "as usual."
Fr. Duane Wachowiak, Director of the Diocesan Secretariat for Worship and Liturgical Formation, explains: “In most dioceses and churches of the United States, this memorial will simply not be celebrated liturgically in 2008. Only in those parishes where St. Patrick is the principal patron of the church (for instance our St. Patrick parish in Traverse City), this day is raised to the rank of solemnity. In these instances, it can be moved to the closest date not listed as a day of greater
importance in the liturgical calendar. This means that a church named St. Patrick will celebrate the memorial of their patron saint on Friday, March 14 in 2008,” Fr. Wachowiak noted.
Others who wish to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year while following liturgical guidelines and properly observing Holy Week have a couple of choices. One option is to celebrate on Friday, March 14, keeping in mind the abstinence from eating meat on Fridays during Lent for most Catholics. Or in the alternative, one could celebrate on Saturday, March 15, where anyone who wishes can enjoy the corned beef and cabbage and do it before the beginning of the Holy Week with Palm Sunday.
“The changes this year are not limited to those who are Irish,” Fr. Wachowiak added. “The celebration of St. Joseph, which is especially significant for many Italians, also falls during Holy Week this year. Normally celebrated on March 19, in 2008 the celebration is being transferred to Saturday, March 15.
In fact, Easter is such an important day in the faith life of Catholics – one day that is celebrated for eight full days as it is one -- that even the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (when Mary received news that she was to have a child, the Lord Jesus) which is normally observed
on March 25, is transferred to Monday, March 31,” Fr. Wachowiak concluded.
All Catholics should keep in mind how they act on our highest of Holy Days. We should not lose sight of the holy men and women who came before us to set examples, but we should also celebrate with proper reverence and be mindful of our own call to be Christ to one another at all times.
