4 myths about St. Patrick and St. Patrick’s Day

It’s green time! Catholics across the world will bring out the green outfits, shamrock decorations, green beer, and do not forget the corned beef and cabbage. March 17 is traditionally celebrated on the Church calendar as the feast of St. Patrick, recognizing and honoring the day it is believed that St. Patrick died in the late 5th century. The former slave turned bishop and saint is widely recognized and honored as one of the patron saints of Ireland. His preaching converted countless individuals to Christianity. He is also credited as having raised the dead while he was in Ireland. However, there are some popular myths attached to him and the feast day that are simply not true or highly unlikely to be true. Let’s take a look at a few of them:

Claim #1: St. Patrick banishes snakes from Ireland: Although widely spread and believed, one of the most famous stories about St. Patrick is false. The great saint never banished snakes from Ireland. The legend says St. Patrick chased all the snakes into the sea following a 40-day fast. This story is popular but its unsure where it gets its origins. Scientists attribute the Ice Age with Ireland not having snakes, not St. Patrick.

Claim #2: St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity: Even as a Protestant, I learned the concept of using the shamrock to explain the Trinity. This idea has been attributed to St. Patrick but is likely not the result of the legendary saint. Admittedly, the truth of the Trinity is difficult to understand, and it would seem as using something like the shamrock, with its three leaves but still one plant, would be beneficial. However, the idea of using the shamrock is likely more rooted with Irish monks than with St. Patrick.

Claim #3: St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland: As much as the beloved saint did to expand Christianity in Ireland, he was likely not responsible for being the first to bring the message of Christ to the country. It is not recorded who the first one to bring Christ to Ireland is, but we know it is likely not St. Patrick. Pope Celestine sent Bishop Palladius in 431 to the country and referenced it as “the Irish believing in Christ”. The mention alludes to the fact there were believers in Christ in Ireland before St. Patrick arrived and began preaching. St. Patrick is, however, credited as being responsible for bringing the Gospel to parts of Ireland that had not heard and this claim is likely. St. Patrick was a large factor in converting much of the country, but it appears there is evidence to suggest he was not the first one to bring the Gospel to Ireland. 

Claim #4: Eat your corned beef on St. Patrick’s Day: This one does not have anything to do directly with St. Patrick but is associated with St. Patrick’s Day. Despite the popularity of corned beef and cabbage in North America and other countries, the Irish do not savor the same delights as we do when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day. As Americans are guzzling green beer, sporting green suits and leprechaun hats, and delighting in corned beef and cabbage, the Irish are enjoying other tasty treats. In Ireland, a kind of bacon (similar to ham) is the typical featured protein on an Irish dinner table. The origins of corned beef being the main protein seems to stem from New York City when Irish immigrants substituted the traditional ham/bacon meal with corned beef because of their poverty and it was cheaper. It may not be the desired or featured dish in Ireland, but it is true that corned beef is certainly Irish. It’s just not the normal meal for St. Patrick’s Day in the country.

Regardless if the traditions, customs, legends and beliefs about St. Patrick and this feast day are true or just that – legends – one thing is certain: the legend himself St. Patrick certainly made a mark for Christ in Ireland and we should all seek to be more like him, to forgive as he forgave, to give as he gave, and to love others as he loved them.