St. Patrtick's Day Transcends It's Irish Background
By Amber Ward

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and one of Christianity's most well known figures. Although his life remains somewhat of a mystery, we do know that many of the stories associated with him are false - like his banishing all snakes from Ireland.

St. Patrick was born in Britain near the end of the fourth century, and died on March 17, around 460. There is no evidence that Patrick came from a religious background.

At 16 years old, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders. He was transported to Ireland where he spent the next six years in captivity. During this time, he worked in the fields as a shepherd.

He found religion as a primary means of solace in his otherwise lonely life. It is also believed that this was the time when Patrick had first dreamed of converting the Irish people to Christianity.

After six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped. According to Patrick, God came to him in a dream and told him that it was time for him leave Ireland. In order to accomplish this, he walked 200 miles, and then escaped back to Britain. This is where he experienced another revelation; an angel came to him and told him that he must return to Ireland, this time as a missionary.

Soon after, he began his religious training, which lasted 15 years. He was ordained as a priest, and sent to Ireland to convert the Irish and minister to the few Christians already living there.

Already familiar with the Irish language and culture, Patrick was able to incorporate traditional Irish beliefs into his lessons of Christianity, instead of trying to dispose of native beliefs. He used bonfires to celebrate Easter because the Irish were already accustomed to honoring their gods with fire. He also superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, with the Christian cross, thus creating the Celtic cross that is recognizable to this day. It has also been said that Patrick used the clover, probably a hop clover, to further demonstrate the Holy Trinity to the Irish people.

Today, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by people from different backgrounds in the United States, Ireland, Canada and Australia. In modern-day Ireland, St. Patrick's Day has traditionally been a religious occasion. Up until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17.

In 1995, the Irish government began a national campaign to use St. Patrick's Day to promote tourism in Ireland. Today, over one million people can be found celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Dublin, where it is a multi-day celebration with parades, concerts, theater productions and fireworks.

St. Patrick's Day in the United States is also celebrated with parades like the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade. One of the oldest and largest parades in the U.S., this parade features around 175,000 participants. The Chicago River is tinted green in honor of St. Patrick's Day every March 17.

How are you going to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year? Here a few suggestions not to far from home:

St. Patrick's Day Dinners

St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church is hosting its annual "Emerald Ball" March 17 at the Julian Town Hall. There will be dinner, dancing and door prizes. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information, call 760-765-4871.

A St. Patrick's Day dinner will also take place at the Santa Ysabel Mission Hall from 5 to 8 p.m. on March 17. The cost is $7 for adults and $3 for kids. All tickets will be sold in advance and are available after church services or by calling 760-765-0267 or 760-765-0810.