How and why do we celebrate St Patrick's Day?

Answer 1

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated as feast day by the Roman Catholic Church thanks to efforts of the Franciscan scholar Luke Waddin in the 17th century. In Ireland, the celebrations have a religious tone to it. The celebrations extend over 5 days. The first St. Patrick's Day parade in Ireland was held in Dublin only in 1931.

The first parade was held in Boston, U.S in 1762 and the largest parade in New York City. The credit for the oldest parade in North America goes to Quebec in Canada. Today, non-Irish people too relish the idea of being Irish on St. Patrick's Day. Wearing green color (associated with the green leaved Shamrock), consuming Irish food and drink, and parades mark the festivities.

Impressive parades are held in many cities of the U.S. like the ones in Seattle, Savannah in Georgia, New Orleans, Syracuse, and Las Vegas. Other countries like Canada, Argentina, the U.K, Denmark, Germany, Mexico, Russia, and South Korea too mark the day with parades.

St. Patrick's Day is an official holiday in Ireland. However, in the U. S, Australia, U. K, and New Zealand, though celebrated with much fervor, it is not an official holiday. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated not only as a mark of respect to a great saint but also as a reflection of the cultural tradition of Ireland and the growing sense of its nationalistic pride.

The Irish government has been trying to showcase this tradition to woo tourists to the Island. However, many Christian leaders condemn the fact that it is being increasingly secularized and commercialized.