The Borders of Things

Irish Drinking Songs

Since the quarter is nearly a wrap, I feel like offering an ode to one of my favorite holidays, St. Patrick's Day.

I just learned that Patrick was never officially canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. That alone, in my mind, deserves mad props. How often does one come accross an unofficial, perhaps even rebel, saint? His lack of canonization is, in part, the result of the clash between the celtic and anglo christians of those bygone days. Things having to do with the date of Easter, and, (another thing I just found out from my pastor), monk hairdos. Anyway, fascinating stuff, and it is clear that St. Pat's is a christian holiday, at least in origins. This is the first reason I love it.

Second, this is probably the only holiday that is celebrated by drinking copious amounts of one of the world's finest beers. Guinness is good for you, its always a lovely day for a Guinness, and there is no better way to celebrate Jesus and the missionary endeavor than to quaff a pint.

The rarity of this holiday is striking if you consider it in light of our other festive traditions. St. Pats is celebrated the way a holiday ought to be celebrated. A brief list of the worst offenders demonstrates this adequately. Giving eggs and hanging up pictures of rabbits in a thinly-veiled syncretistic fertility rite? Coercing "treats" through the threat of violence? Pulling some poor groundhog out of his den in the middle of winter? Indulging in raw consumerism that will put you in debt for the next three months and leave you depressed? Not ways to celebrate, in my book. But listening to some fiddles (or U2), haunting the pubs, and toasting our Savior . . . now that's a holiday.

Enjoy.

Posted by pjaussen at March 17, 2005 01:36 PM