razz
3-14-14, 8:04pm
I have often wondered what triggered the celebration called St Patrick's Day and finally got an answer that makes sense, to me anyway. Are you surprised as I was?
"Excerpt from "My Irish Table," by Cathal Armstrong and David Hagedorn:
"At home, Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday that celebrates Patrick bringing Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century. It is observed with the same kind of reverence that Americans have for Thanksgiving, but more solemn. There's a big parade in Dublin that everybody goes to – just like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade – but every little village has its own parade as well.
"On Saint Patrick's Day, we don't drink green beer, we don't dye the rivers green, and we don't get really drunk. It is actually a stay-at-home day on which many pubs are closed.
"Saint Patrick's Day usually falls in the middle of Lent when everybody is fasting or abstaining, but on this one day we are given a special dispensation from the Church and are allowed to break the fast and have a celebration. After everybody goes to Mass, the family gather for an elegant spring meal that typically features Roast Leg of Lamb, Roast Prime Rib of Beef, or even Baked Whole Salmon. One thing you probably won't find on the Irish table is Corned Beef, which is an American tradition."
"Excerpt from "My Irish Table," by Cathal Armstrong and David Hagedorn:
"At home, Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday that celebrates Patrick bringing Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century. It is observed with the same kind of reverence that Americans have for Thanksgiving, but more solemn. There's a big parade in Dublin that everybody goes to – just like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade – but every little village has its own parade as well.
"On Saint Patrick's Day, we don't drink green beer, we don't dye the rivers green, and we don't get really drunk. It is actually a stay-at-home day on which many pubs are closed.
"Saint Patrick's Day usually falls in the middle of Lent when everybody is fasting or abstaining, but on this one day we are given a special dispensation from the Church and are allowed to break the fast and have a celebration. After everybody goes to Mass, the family gather for an elegant spring meal that typically features Roast Leg of Lamb, Roast Prime Rib of Beef, or even Baked Whole Salmon. One thing you probably won't find on the Irish table is Corned Beef, which is an American tradition."