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"Cied Mil Failte"
(100,000 Welcomes)
For the past 30 years my wife and I and our children have celebrated St. Patrick's Day in a big way. We look forward to this annual gathering of family and friends as much as we do any holiday. Some of what we do dates back to my early childhood memories and other traditions are based on lessons I learned when I taught at the seminary in Ireland during the 1980s.
On the day before the 17th the flag of Ireland is hung over our door and occasionally lighted leprechauns are hidden in bushes in the front yard. As with many cultural and religious traditions, our celebration revolves around two elements: prayer and food. The evening begins with an Irish prayer we found years ago, honoring Patrick patron of bishops and bartenders. The prayer says goodbye to winter and welcomes spring, and we remember family members who died in the past year.
Our ritual calls for us to sing of Galway Bay, have a leprechaun toast, and speak a bit of the blarney.
The foods we share are traditional Irish fare including lamb stew cooked in Guinness beer, corned beef, cabbage, onions, carrots, and potatoes cooked several ways. Cheeses, stuffed mushrooms, celery, and wonderful soda bread with Irish butter, add to the feast.
Of course there is a touch of Irish whisky and green beer available, but the hit is the homemade Irish cream. Wearing the green of Ireland and springtime is always a requirement.
This night is a good mix of faith and family, culture and heritage. In many ways it is an expression of who we are and what we believe about God's blessings in our lives. It is a part of our identity as a family. Last year my son could not make it home from college, but he called on his cell phone to hear the prayer and sing along to "Galway Bay." We were not really surprised when we learned later that he had printed out the words to the song and gave out copies to folks he was with at the Irish pub many miles from our home. Our annual St. Patrick Day ritual continues on.
In a similar way our Church is a place of celebration, rich with signs and symbols of our identity as Catholics. Whenever and wherever the Church gathers you are likely to find stories, prayers, songs, signs, symbols, rituals, and nourishment.
So on March 17th wear some green, dance a bit of the jig, try to catch a leprechaun, never take yourself too seriously, and remember 'tis always a good day to thank God.
Brian Reynolds
Archdiocese of Louisville
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