Today is Saint Patrick’s Day. It is the day we in America dress in the traditional green of the holiday, use 4 leaf clovers, to celebrate an Irishman named Patrick, who drove snakes from Ireland…… Right?

No, none of these things are historically accurate. So how did we get to where we celebrate this holiday, and what is the real story behind the it?

The holiday celebrates the life and legacy of a man named Maewyn Succat, who is believed to have been born in either Scotland or Wales, the latter of which was under Roman military control at the time, in the late fourth century to a Roman-British military officer and deacon named Calpornius and his wife. His exact date of birth or even the location is still debated among historians. It is believed he was born on either 373 or 390. This is far from the only unknown regarding Succat or today’s holiday.

Although his father held an esteemed position in the church, the legend has it that young Succat did not hold his fathers religious fervor as a boy. In fact, he was quiet secular in his beliefs and rejected the teachings of his father. While working as a shepherd, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave when he was 16 years old. He was sold and in captivity for about 6 years, where he was forced to work as a herdsman, tending to animals such as sheep and pigs.

Succat began to believe his enslavement was a punishment from God for rejecting the Gospel and his fathers teachings. He began to pray, and became devout in his newfound Christian faith. He passed much of his time imprisoned in prayer. Eventually he had a vision, where he was inside of the hull of a ship returning to England. That vision came true, when Succat escaped, and managed to stow away on a ship en route to Brittan.

Succat continued to have visions he believed were inspired by God. These visions, he believed, were calling him to return to Ireland to minister to the Irish, and spread his Christian beliefs to the country that had previously enslaved him. He did not make the trip directly though. First he went to France, where he lived in a monastery and trained under a bishop, a title he himself claims to have earned in his 12 years or so at the Monastery. It was then as a new Bishop (or was he?)he received the blessings of the church to take his message to the people of Ireland.

It was around this time, he became known as a nobleman by the Latin name Patricus. He used this origin to come up with the name Patrick, which he used upon his return to Ireland. While many believe that he “brought” Christianity to Ireland, this is not true. Christian missionaries had already been in Ireland, including Palladius, who was the first Bishop of Ireland. Pallidus though did not spend much time in Ireland. He established at least 3 known churches, but after much rejection of his message, he moved on to Scotland.

The fact of not being first though, did not dampen Patrick’s spirit in his mission. He met with King Lóegaire, the High King of Ireland and acquired his permission to preach Christianity in Ireland. This ministry continued for around 20 years, as he established the church in Ireland, with periods of imprisonment interrupting his mission at times. Many druids and local leaders who did not take to his message would have him thrown in jail. It is said his charm and personality, along with giving gifts, would free him to move on to another town.

He never acquired any wealth, and lived his life of ministry in poverty. He had little when he died in Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland on March 17th in 461 AD. His ministry was considered a success, and he established churches all across Ireland. Late in his life, he published an auto biography entitled Confessio, which is where much of what we know about him originates.

So, due to this successful ministry, following his death, the people of Ireland immediately began celebrating and giving thanks to him with mass parades and parties! Right? No, it was Irish Immigrants to America that initially began to recognize his life and accomplishments. The first parade in his honor was held in the United States, the the Spanish Colony of St Augustine Florida in 1601. It is believed there was probably some sort of honoring of St. Patrick in Ireland before this, but no widely known held events.

It isn’t surprising the holiday is  so popular in the US. There are more Irish in the United States than Ireland by a large margin. In 2021 over 31 and a half million people considered themselves of Irish heritage. The population of Ireland is around 5.3 Million. The celebrations began at a time that many Catholics across the country faced persecution. They spread to large cities such as New York and Boston. They are now held in Ireland, and across much of the world. In 1903 Irish Law made it an official holiday. It is celebrated across Ireland today, and is a large tourism draw.

At least we got the Green right? Right?

Well, no. Not originally. The color blue was, and is still officially associated with Patrick in Ireland.

Originally people would don blue robes and clothing to honor and celebrate St. Patrick. In the 18th Century, when the Irish became discontent with English rule, the color green was often associated with rebellion and Irish Pride. The green color also reminded Irish immigrants of their home, and has since become closely associated with the island and was eventually worked into the celebrations and is now the color most wear to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Many may also associate the green color with a 4 leaf clover. The symbol of St. Patrick. Right? Again, this is a common misconception as while the 4 leaf clover is considered to be lucky by the finder, it is the 3 leaf clover, or shamrock, that is associated with St. Patrick. He is said to have used the small plants three leaves to demonstrate the Holy Trinity. It was also used as a symbol against English rule in Ireland, and was often worn as a sign of rebellion.

An interesting thing about St. Patrick’s Day, is while it is associated with partying and drinking, it was one of the original Christian holidays to be observed independent of using an existing pagan holiday for its place on the calendar. St. Patrick though did use some symbols and known things from druid and pagan knowledge to reach people that would understand such. Up until 1970 Pubs were even closed in Ireland in observance of the day. You know if the Irish are closing bars, that it is something taken very seriously!

It is this association with Celtic and Pagan beliefs, that has gotten the symbolism of leprechauns involved. There is no evidence that St. Patrick used the Leprechaun in his teachings at all. The belief in the small, mischievous fairies though is closely tied into Irish folklore, and has over time blended into St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. It is actually very unlikely St. Patrick would have used the mythical creatures. He is actually credited with attempting to drive out such pagan beliefs. Much like the color blue was originally linked to St. Patrick’s Day, the color red was associated with leprechauns. They were red coats, and were not known at all for wearing green. It was the blending of the traditions, that changed their favorite color, even if they cannot see it, to green.  Regardless, St. Patrick would not have been fond of them, but would have preferred if they existed to drive them out. This is where the snakes come in.

You may have heard the myth, or seen art work depicting St, Patrick driving snakes from Ireland. There is only one small problem with that image. There are no species of snakes in Ireland. Well, one might argue, of course! Patrick drove them out! Scientist though are of the school of though that snakes have never been native to the island. That symbology likely comes from imagery associating snakes with the pagan beliefs St. Patrick sought to replace. That he in fact, was attempting to drive such beliefs as those in Leprechauns( Small bodied people) from the country. If you do happen to encounter a leprechaun today though, make sure to have your now associated green on. Leprechauns are believed to pinch humans when they see them,  but are believed to be color blind to green, so they cannot pinch what they cannot see. The same cannot be promised for the annoying guy at work at the water cooler though. If you really want to celebrate leprechauns, who were also believed to be cobblers who repaired the shoes of other fairies,  you will need to wait until May 13th, where they have their own National Leprechaun Day!

With all these myths and confusion surrounding St. Patrick’s day, at least we can agree that he was a saint….. right? Well, that as well is not entirely true. He was never canonized as a Saint by the Catholic church. It is not even known for sure if the official title of Bishop was bestowed on him. That comes from his own claim in his book, but there is no official record. The process of canonization did not exist during his lifetime. So, officially, no, St. Patrick is not a saint. Though he is venerated by one in the Catholic, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and Lutheran churches. Would it cause him to roll over in his grave if you were to say today he isn’t a saint? It would be hard to tell, because no one knows for sure where he is buried. While it is a popular claim, his body lies at Downs Cathedral, many historians have cast doubt on that. Some even claim his body was returned to England. No one knows for sure where his final resting place is.

Does kissing an Irishman bring you good luck? I am sure you have all heard the phrase, “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” associated with today. Where does that come from? Well, legend has it, the blarney stone in Blarney Castle would bring you good luck, should you be able to plant one on it. A difficult task considering its high location in the castle. Well, some crafty Irishman at some point, decide to spread the myth, that such good fortune could be bestowed in the same manor, by kissing someone Irish in place of the stone. While the theory remains unproven, it sounds like a ploy developed by an Irishman who was wanting some free sugar, or maybe from a tricky leprechaun.

With all the myths, confusion, and changes over the years, one thing is for sure, the impact and life of St. Patrick is celebrated many ways world wide today. Much of the world accepts the idea that today, we are all Irish. Even if the day has morphed into something much different than it was centuries ago. Even the dying of the river in Chicago to celebrate has a much less romantic origin. The first time the river was dyed, was not in celebration, but to discover a sewage leak.  In 1955, Green dye was placed into the sewage system to discover where raw sewage was released into the river. Of course this turned the entire river green. Later, Mayor Richard Daley, seeing how this could be used to the cities advantage to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, wanted to dye Lake Michigan green. He was convinced that the river would be a much more realistic and manageable option. This started a tradition that is still held today, although, it has been scaled back a bit. In 1962, the plumbers union used 100 pounds of the dye. The river remained green for an entire week! That amount has been scaled back for environmental reasons, and now the river is green for only a matter of hours. Much like many things associated with today, a little tweaking and change have led to how we currently celebrate.

Even the names we use for the holiday can be confusing or offensive. You may often read the term St. Patty’s day. That would be incorrect, because it would be a feminine derivative of the Patrick, and insulting. St. Paddy’s day would be the more appropriate and masculine form for an abbreviation for the holiday. That though is frowned upon by some as Paddy, which originally was a pet name for Patrick, later became used by some as an insult or derogatory name for the Irish. Succat Day, just does not have the same ring. So to be safe, St. Patrick’s Day is the most widely accepted name, even if his name was not really Patrick, or if he isnt officially a saint!

So no matter if you celebrate today in a pub, or a church, by wearing green or blue, love or fear tiny, mischievous cobbler fairies,  or are looking for a photo opp with sewage repair techniques, enjoy your St. Patrick’s Day today! We will leave you with an Irish Blessing:

May you have all the happiness
And luck that life can hold
And at the end of all your rainbows
May you find a pot of gold.

May the roof over your head
always be strong
May you be in Heaven a half hour
before the Devil knows you’re dead!