In 385 A.D., Maewyn Succat was born a Roman citizen. His life took an abrupt turn when he was enslaved and forced to Ireland. Eventually, he returned to Rome either by means of escape or freedom. He did not live safely for long, choosing instead to become a priest and returning to Ireland to win Christian converts.
Upon becoming a priest, legend has it that Maewyn Succat changed his name to Patrick, and eventually became the cause of the March 17th celebration.
Ross said, on March 17, 1631, the Church decided to recognize St. Patrick with a feast. This was the earliest record of the holiday that would become St. Patrick’s Day.
Since the holiday falls during the season of lent, Christians began to use the holiday as an excuse to abstain from their disciplines. According to Casey, the celebration continued to develop into the 1700’s, and became something deemed as wild. To remind everyone of the origins of the holiday, the church began to popularize the association of the lucky shamrock with St. Patrick.
Ross said the name Patrick derives from the Latin phase for “father figure.” This is fitting for St. Patrick, because upon changing his name, he sacrificed his life to priesthood and lived for the betterment and goodwill of others.
You should care about St. Patrick’s Day because like St. Patrick, you can choose to be a caregiver and role model. Whether you are a father, mother, teacher, or mentor; you can remember St. Patrick’s daily choice to sacrifice his well-being for the benefit of those he loved.
Upon becoming a priest, legend has it that Maewyn Succat changed his name to Patrick, and eventually became the cause of the March 17th celebration.
The Holiday’s Beginnings
The account above comes from Marion Casey, a clinical assistant professor of Irish Studies at New York University, who TIME writer Ashley Ross quoted in her 2016 article, “The True History Behind St. Patrick’s Day.”Ross said, on March 17, 1631, the Church decided to recognize St. Patrick with a feast. This was the earliest record of the holiday that would become St. Patrick’s Day.
Since the holiday falls during the season of lent, Christians began to use the holiday as an excuse to abstain from their disciplines. According to Casey, the celebration continued to develop into the 1700’s, and became something deemed as wild. To remind everyone of the origins of the holiday, the church began to popularize the association of the lucky shamrock with St. Patrick.
Green is the New Blue
Ross said blue was the initial color chosen to celebrate St. Patricks Day because of its presence in the royal court and on the Irish flag. Blue lasted until the Irish Rebellion of 1898, when the Irish selected green uniforms to counter the British red. The song “The Wearing of the Green” became the anthem of the rebellion, solidifying the color into the Irish historical prominence.The Significance of the Name
If the legend Ross writes about is true, then Maewyn Succat’s name change to Patrick is worth consideration.Ross said the name Patrick derives from the Latin phase for “father figure.” This is fitting for St. Patrick, because upon changing his name, he sacrificed his life to priesthood and lived for the betterment and goodwill of others.
You should care about St. Patrick’s Day because like St. Patrick, you can choose to be a caregiver and role model. Whether you are a father, mother, teacher, or mentor; you can remember St. Patrick’s daily choice to sacrifice his well-being for the benefit of those he loved.
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