St. Patrick's Day Week is Here!

St. Patrick in stained glass

It's the Week of Weeks here in Chicago, that being the week of St. Patrick's Day, where every citizen who chooses can be Irish for a day. Well maybe that is Irish for a week, due the number of corned beef and cabbage celebrations that will be held in addition to the famous Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade, hosted by the Plumber's Union. I personally have 3 St. Patrick's Day dinners on the schedule, and that may be enough.

St. Patrick, while a Chicago favorite is, of course, the Patron Saint of Ireland, the holy man who Christianized the Emerald Isle, theoretically using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. Today, Chicago Irish (honorary and actual) honor him with parades, religious services, corned beef dinners, and, by many young people, by becoming rip-roaring drunk. While I don't really know how intoxication is religious, perhaps it goes back to the Pagan days. Whatever. Who am I anyway to question such a long-standing tradition?

I hope you're not skipping the St. Patrick's celebration because your roots are far from Old Ireland. St. Pat's is a jolly holiday and fun for all.  So get out your green clothes and necklaces and hats, and get ready for a week of fun!