Today, of course, is Saint Patrick's Day, which celebrates the religious feast day and the date of his death.
Saint Patrick's Day is a big deal in the St. Louis area, thanks to the many Irish immigrants that settled in the area in the 1840s and 1850s. Every year there are two parades (three if you count a newish one in St. Charles county, just to the west)--one the Saturday before and one on the Day. This year they were back-to-back. Today we feasted on a boiled dinner of corned beef, cabbage, new potatoes, and carrots.
As important and beloved as Saint Patrick is, though, I was surprised to learn he was never canonized a saint by the Catholic Church. Patrick was born in 387 and died in 461. Back in the 5th century, canonizations were done at the regional level. After the death of someone they considered very holy, the local Church decreed that they could be celebrated as saints.
Five years ago today: New Thing #66--
My Family Heritage
This is so interesting, Kathy. We were all Irish in Chicago on March 17th. We made sure we had our bit of corned beef and cabbage and wore green. We were going to have a St. Patrick's Day party tonight, but someone caught the flu. It will be postponed to a week from now. It's a good thing corned beef keeps. Have a wonderful lucky St. Paddy's Day.
ReplyDeleteOn the news last night they showed a boat dumping green dye into the Chicago River. I've never seen it in person, but it looks amazing! Your corned beef dinner will be just as good after the fact.
DeleteI didn't know he was from so long ago! wow. Happy SP Day! The parades wound fun! None around here. :(
ReplyDeleteI've never been to either of the parades. Maybe someday...
DeleteThere was a parade in downtown Toronto today. Your boiled dinner sounds so good!
ReplyDeleteAre there a lot of Irish people in Toronto?
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