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Saint Patrick’s Day, feast day (March 17) of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. People of that country celebrate the day with religious services and feasts, but Saint Patrick’s Day has transformed into a largely secular holiday of revelry in other parts of the world. The majority of St. Patrick’s Day customs, myths and fables have been perpetuated and instituted over a period of 16 centuries. Stripping away the widespread secular activities, we discover a holy person — a saint — who spent more than 30 years successfully proclaiming the Gospel message, the gift of faith to the people of Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day, now a secular, cultural holiday here in the United States, has not always been celebrated this way. For the past millennium, St. Patrick’s Day has been a Christian holiday, honoring Ireland’s patron saint, Patrick, on the anniversary of his death. The holiday on March 17 th was not always Christian. In fact, it was For many people around the world, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a secular ode to Irish culture (or at least an oversimplified version of it), characterized by parties, music and iconic Historically, the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland involved a rich tapestry of folk practices, some religious, some more secular. Few of those traditions are maintained in today’s St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) is for the most part a secular affair. It’s a ritual tradition and celebration of drink and music, the traces of which date back to the 10th Century. ©Lisa Maree Williams—Getty Image News/Thinkstock. March 17 began as a feast day in observance of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Over time, the holiday evolved into a secular celebration of Irish culture, green beer, and anything with a shamrock on it. This happened as early back as 2008 when St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated by the Church on March 14 although the separate secular events continued on the national holiday. This will not happen In America, St. Patrick's Day slowly shifted from a religious observation to a secular celebration of Irish heritage thanks to Irish immigrants. And while the Irish-American population increased dramatically during the 19th century , in part due to Ireland's Potato Blight of 1845, St. Patrick's Day traditions in the U.S. stretch back a century What is St. Patrick's Day? St. Patrick's Day marks the anniversary of the death of the patron saint of Ireland. Although its roots as a religious holiday trace back more than 1,500 years, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into a secular celebration of all things Irish. Put out a bowl of Leprechaun Chow and invite over friends. It’s time for a St. Patrick’s Day trivia night. Ranging from the oft-forgotten history of the religious holiday (turned worldwide St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on March 17th, marking the death date of St. Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland. Originating in Ireland, this day has By Andrew McCarty Grossen, Communications Manager, Secular Coalition for America. As today is St. Patrick’s Day, which is celebrated both religiously and secularly throughout the world, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you my reflections on what Ireland showed me regarding secularism during my life there which spanned from 2012 to 2019. St. Patrick’s Day was recognized by the Vatican as an official feast day in 1631. [4] In the latter part of the 19th century, Irish high society celebrated St. Patrick's Day at a grand ball held at the castle in Dublin. [4] St. Patrick’s Day was declared a public, rather than religious, holiday in Ireland in 1904. [4] St. Patrick's Day Dining Guide in California 2025: Top Irish Restaurants and Special Menus The Significance of St. Patrick's Day in California. St. Patrick's Day has evolved into a prominent cultural celebration across California, with deep historical roots and widespread community engagement that goes beyond traditional Irish heritage. St. Patrick’s Day originated as a religious feast day for St. Patrick but has evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture, heavily influenced by Irish immigrants. Traditional celebrations include parades, wearing green, and enjoying Irish food and drink, highlighting elements of Irish culture while also embracing some secular practices. This year that question is raised because-- for the first time since 1940-- St. Patrick's Day (March 17) falls during Holy Week, the seven days before Easter. An AP story on Friday reported that Catholic liturgical rules preclude a Mass in honor of St. Patrick during Holy Week, so Masses are moved to March 14. The question, however, is whether Ready to celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Whether you’re from an Irish heritage or not, St. Patrick’s Day is always an occasion to have fun, decorate your home, and celebrate Irish culture with friends and family. Associated with good luck, pots of gold, leprechauns, shamrock, and the color green, St. Patrick’s Day also reminds us of spring knocking on our doorstep. So, what better way to In celebration of Irish culture, people worldwide come together to mark St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. St. Patrick’s Day, sometimes also known as the Feast of St. Patrick, is the anniversary of the death of St. Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland. It is one of many days and feasts named after Catholic saints over the years. St. Patrick’s Day was originally a religious ceremony held in honor of the late Saint observed on the date of his death, March 17. The man who would eventually become St. Patrick was taken from his native Britain to Ireland as a slave when he was only 16-years-old, though he would eventually escape from his captivity and return to his home.
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