It is worth recalling Patrick’s own intense devotion to the Lenten fast and the fruit it bore for the conversion of the Irish, so we might embrace something of his spirit.
As Catholics, we celebrate the saints for their heroic witness to our Christian Faith. Each saint has a day on the Church calendar, which typically falls on the date of death, known as their dies natalis, “heavenly birthday.” These are days for merriment, meant for taking a break from the austerities typical to the Christian life, which is why they are known as “feasts.”
St. Patrick’s Day has an outsized influence in popular culture because of the large Irish diaspora spread across the globe. As the saying goes: “Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.” Celebrations in honor of Ireland’s patron saint are characterized by great festivity with parades, the playing of bagpipes, traditional dance, the wearing of green, and time in the pub.
There is a problem, however. This feast on March 17th always falls during the fast of Lent.
While breaking the fast for a saint’s feast is certainly in keeping with Catholic culture and even piety, it is important for the revelers enjoying the celebrations of the “Apostle of Ireland” to return to the fast at day’s end. The best way to honor the saints is by imitating their virtues.
It is worth recalling, then, Patrick’s own intense devotion to the Lenten fast and the fruit it bore for the conversion of the Irish, so we might embrace something of his spirit.
To best do this, we follow in the footsteps of the one hundred thousand pilgrims a year who make their way to Ireland’s holy mountain, known as Cruach Phádraig, “Croagh Patrick.” It was there that Ireland’s patron spent the forty days of Lent in the year 441, praying and fasting on its summit.
The anglicized word “croagh” refers to a hill or mountain that is shaped like a cone or stack. The Irish refer affectionately to the mountain as the “Reek” which comes from the old English word hrēac, meaning a “haystack” or “pile.”
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