From Wiki:
Patrick was a 5th-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Much of what is known about Saint Patrick comes from the Declaration, which was allegedly written by Patrick himself. It is believed that he was born in Roman Britain in the fourth century, into a wealthy Romano-British family. His father was a deacon and his grandfather was a priest in the Christian church. According to the Declaration, at the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Gaelic Ireland.[11] It says that he spent six years there working as a shepherd and that during this time he "found God". The Declaration says that God told Patrick to flee to the coast, where a ship would be waiting to take him home. After making his way home, Patrick went on to become a priest.
According to tradition, Patrick returned to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. The Declaration says that he spent many years evangelising in the northern half of Ireland and converted "thousands". Patrick's efforts against the druids were eventually turned into an allegory in which he drove "snakes" out of Ireland (Ireland never had any snakes).
Tradition holds that he died on 17 March and was buried at Downpatrick. Over the following centuries, many legends grew up around Patrick and he became Ireland's foremost saint.
For many today has become a "party day" - to wear your favorite green attire, eat and drink certain food and generally "celebrate to drunkenness". Look at this other excerpt from Wiki:
Christians also attend church services and the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted for the day. Perhaps because of this, drinking alcohol – particularly Irish whiskey, beer or cider – has become an integral part of the celebrations. The St Patrick's Day custom of 'drowning the shamrock' or 'wetting the shamrock' was historically popular, especially in Ireland. At the end of the celebrations, shamrock is put into the bottom of a cup, which is then filled with whiskey, beer or cider. It is then drank as a toast; to St Patrick, to Ireland, or to those present. The shamrock would either be swallowed with the drink, or be taken out and tossed over the shoulder for good luck.
I think people simply look for a way to have an excuse, or reason, to indulge in their own chosen pleasurable pastimes. I know there will be some that attend worship today, and maybe even some that don't normally do so - my lenten challenge for you: why go on just a certain day in memory? Why not worship, pray, serve and study EVERY DAY? The wilderness journey of lent is always about change for me - most years I do okay during the season but soon after I slip back to old ways and when the season rolls around again I have to start over. In looking back over last year's journey and journal I discovered that some of the disciplines I put in place are actually still my daily practice - so it is good to look back! Traditions are fun, celebrations are just that - a time to participate in practices that aren't the norm. Why not put more traditions in place that are life affirming? For me there is just something a little "off" about honoring a Saint with drunkenness and throwing all caution to the wind! On this day I plan to ponder how I might be a blessing and reflect on how I might be a vessel for God to touch the life of someone else. How will you celebrate? Being a blessing can be fantastic - with no hangover!!
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