In my opinion, the actual meaning and purpose of St. Patrick's Day is slowly being distorted and almost lost through the years. In today's world some people look at this day as an opportunity or excuse to get extremely drunk and party, mostly because of the stereotype that all Irish people love to drink and are always drunk. This "theory" is evidenced along the parade routes. If you have ever been to a St. Patrick's Day parade, for example Staten Island or Manhattan, you will see many intoxicated individuals along the sidelines. Others see this day as a time to wear green or show their Irish roots. Because of this mentality and influence by our surrounding society, people forget the real reason that St. Patrick's Day is celebrated. This day is put aside on the calendar to honor a man named St. Patrick who was born around the late fourth century. This man is considered to be the patron saint and apostle of Ireland. He was believed to have brought the Christian Religion to Ireland. St. Patrick is most known for driving the snakes out of Ireland. Since there are no snakes in Ireland (the island was separated from the rest of the continent at the end of the ice age causing there to be no snakes) this is taken as a symbol to represent driving the pagan practice out of the area. What most people lose site of is the intended meaning for this day which is the fact that St. Patrick's Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide. Saint Patrick's Day has come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks, luck and drinking large amounts of alcohol. Some people might ask why St. Patricks day is celebrated on March 17th. One answer to this question would be that this is the day when St. Patrick died. In Ireland, this day is also considered to be a religous holiday in which most Irish go to mass. This day is a traditional day for offering prayers for missionaries worldwide before the serious celebrating begins. This day should not only be a big deal for people in Ireland but Irish Americans. "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!" Staten Island, for example, is having their St. Patrick's Day parade tommorrow. I will definately be there supporting my Irish background.
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