Why Should I Care About St. Patrick’s Day?

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.

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.

Why Should I Care About Valentine's Day?

We know Valentine's Day as a time to exchange gifts, celebrate romance, and express love. But 1,739 years ago, the Romans faced an entirely different situation.

The Emperor's Dilemma

According to History.com, Saint Valentine served in the Roman Empire in 278 A.D., during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. Claudius II was confronted with a series of brutal wars and struggled to assemble an army large enough to face his challengers. There seemed to be little interest in the military, and Claudius blamed his men's loving dedication and loyalty to their families. In the emperor's mind, familial care was interfering with national advancement and security. Claudius II banned all marriages and engagements within his empire to counteract the internal threat.

The Saint's Rebellion

Saint Valentine, considering the ruling unjust, continued to perform marriages in secret. He enabled a legal confirmation of love and allowed men to continue pursuing a life at home with their families.

The emperor was angered when he discovered Valentine’s disobedience and promptly imprisoned the priest. Legend has it that Saint Valentine was befriended by his prison guard’s blind daughter, who may have provided the priest with food. He left her a note signed, "From your Valentine" before his execution on February 14^th.

Valentine was named a Saint after his death for his enduring beliefs. Could he also have been the first one to give a "Valentine"?

There is no definitive way to prove the origin of Valentine's Day. In fact, this is one of several Valentine's Day origin theories (the Catholic encyclopedia states that three St. Valentines were martyred on February 14^th).

The Holiday's Meaning

There are plenty of distractions that can keep us from each other. Whether it is your family, your classmates, your students, or your coworkers, hold the people in your life close and be thankful for the opportunity to serve them. Never let a day go by without intentional acts of love. A simple kind gesture, an encouraging word, or a walk in the park can improve anyone’s day. Intentionally set aside time in your life for the people you love, not just the things you do.