Alexandre Dalifard 16:50 pm, March 17, 2023

On this day of March 17, Ireland is in the spotlight. As every year, the Irish celebrate the famous St. Patrick's Day, the unofficial national holiday. Although this celebration was originally Catholic, it has become, over time, a means of promoting the culture and history of the country. But concretely, what are the origins of this festival?

On March 17, as every year, it is not uncommon to come across Irish symbols in bars around the world. But why are countries going green on this date? In the Catholic religion, this day celebrates St. Patrick's Day and in Ireland it marks the unofficial national holiday, because the State of Ireland does not have one in the proper sense. March 17 is therefore a public holiday for the Irish and especially a day of celebration where beer flows. But this celebration did not remain within the borders of the island, on the contrary.

A first celebration in... Boston

Today, it is one of the most popular and celebrated in the world. Especially in the United States, where the Irish community is very present. The first celebration of this holiday outside Ireland was held in Boston in 1737 and the first official parade in New York in 1762. In addition, to show Ireland's influence in the city of Boston, the official logo of the NBA Celtics team depicts an Irishman wearing the shamrock, symbol of the country. Today, this religious celebration is now used to promote the culture and history of Ireland.

On St. Patrick's Day, bars and pubs in every country take on Irish green. Because yes, if this holiday is originally Catholic, it has also become a bit like beer. Green hat, three-leaf clover, Celtic music, legendary Guinness... In the streets, the Irish atmosphere is de rigueur. Objective for this day of March 17: to dress in the greatest number of symbols representing Ireland. But concretely, who was Saint Patrick?

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A slave turned bishop

Contrary to popular belief, Saint Patrick was not born in Ireland but in insular Brittany, between 373 and 390. Considered the founder of Christianity in Ireland, the young Patricius nevertheless considered himself a pagan until his adolescence. It was at the age of 16 that his life turned upside down. Kidnapped by pirates, he was sold into slavery in Ireland. During these hard years, he will feel the call of faith rising in him.

For six years, he worked as a shepherd for his master, an Irish clan chief, learned the local language and eventually converted to Christianity. It is at this moment that God appears to him. A voice orders him to flee and embark for island Brittany. He ended up miraculously returning home around 411. A stay in Gaul glorifying for Patrick, since he became a deacon, then bishop.

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Saint Patrick, at the origin of the clover

It was in 432 that he returned to Ireland, at the request of Pope Celestine. A land he knew as a slave. In these Irish lands, the bishop's mission was to evangelize the pagans. A task he succeeded in converting several senior leaders, such as the kings of Dublin and Munster. Patrick founded the Church of Ireland and traveled the country around 461 through the country sowing bishoprics.

According to another tradition, Ireland also owes its shamrock symbol to Saint Patrick. In order to carry out the conversion of the Irish, the former slave decides to use the three-leaf clover. With his form, he allows him to explain to the Irish the mystery of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.