Today, people from around the globe will take on a touch of the Irish to celebrate “the Day of the Festival of Patrick.” Dallas is no exception. The annual parade down Greenville Avenue was on Saturday, and it was reported that some may have been over served.
So how did Saint Patrick’s Day develop to a point that it transcended across multiple cultures? To answer that question we need a quick history lesson:
Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the fourth century and his grandfather was a priest in the Christian church. At age 16 he was kidnapped by marauders from Ireland and he was taken to that country as a slave; but later escaped and returned to Britain. He studied to become a priest. Patrick returned to Ireland in 432 to educate the Irish people on the Holy Trinity by using the Shamrock (three leaves; Father, Son and Holy Spirit) He is believed to have died on March 17, 461; and that’s why we celebrate Saint Patrick on this day every year
There has been a legend throughout history that Saint Patrick eliminated snakes from Ireland, but the practical reality is the climate of Ireland is not conditional for snakes to exist. Therefore, some believe that the “snake removal” idea is symbolic of the elimination of polytheistic “pagans” by evangelism of Patrick’s Christian faith.
After Patrick’s death, the Irish lobbied the Vatican to make their beloved Patrick a saint. Today Saint Patrick is the most recognized patron saint of Ireland. The Feast of Saint Patrick or Saint Patrick’s Day was made official in the early 17th century. As the Irish immigrated to America in the 1700’s, they brought the celebration with them
There is one little problem. Saint Patrick’s Day falls within the Lenten season. Therefore, the drinking of alcohol and eating of certain foods, given up for Lent by Catholics and expanded to other Christian faiths, is halted for Saint Patrick’s Day. (So now we begin to understand why this celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day involves a party atmosphere is because it is a historic break from Lent; and the love of learning continues!)
The Dallas community joins the celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day because we are all just taking a break from Lent, right? One property owner in Dallas has linked the celebration with an annual concert at its Greenville Avenue property. This year the concert featured American rapper Ludacris. I honestly do not have any idea who that is, but he must be a big deal because the concert was completely sold out. Wikipedia told me that Ludacris was born Christopher Brian Bridges. Interesting that Ludacris’ original name reminds me of another patron saint. Last year’s concert featured Snoop Dog. (I am familiar with this artist.)
So for all of you who celebrated on Saturday, get back to Lent! For the rest of us, Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Daryl Mullin is an executive vice president at Jones Lang LaSalle. Contact him at [email protected].
