We were the redheaded freedom fighters,
David Rovices. Anthem of the San Patricio Battalion.
in the midst of these brown-skinned men and women.
Side by side we fight against tyranny.
And dare I say we would do it again.
Saint Patrick was a revered saint from Ireland. He lived in the 5th century AD. in Britain which was part of the Roman Empire. As a teenager, he was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Ireland. Patricio was a practitioner of Christianity and had the vision that he should evangelize that country where he was a captive.
One day he managed to escape from his kidnappers, he returned to his place of origin, but he returned to Ireland with the mission of turning it into a Catholic country, it is believed that his company lasted until his death on March 17, 461 when he was already very old. Its main attribute is the well-known green three-leaf clover (shamrock in English) that represents the Holy Trinity.
The Irish remember this saint and celebrate him for his contribution to the consolidation of Ireland as a Catholic nation. Since ancient times, a festivity, masses, and a parade with the music of Celtic origin have been held. Since 1903 it became a public celebration legitimized through an act of the Parliament of Great Britain. The festivities were very joyful, people dressed in green, and the tradition had already spread to the United States.
During the 19th century, large numbers of Irish people migrated to the United States due to a historical event recorded as the Potato Famine of 1845. It is said to have been caused by a fungal plague that infected crops. of potatoes that ruined a year’s crop and were difficult to control for the next seven years. Potatoes were a staple in the diet, the scarcity caused a terrible famine and caused the death of more than a million people.
Another million migrants arrived in the United States and with it their influence on the culture of the American nation, they immediately shared their traditions such as the significant Saint Patrick’s Day. This festivity is located in the liturgical calendar within Lent, however, the Irish and their descendants were very indulgent in terms of the consumption of meat, beer, as well as celebrating big with the characteristic dances and the music of bagpipes.
Gone is the memory of that terrible famine that they overcame as they prospered as a society in the United States. In compensation for this prosperity, the Irish community has joined the workforce, has participated in various military actions in the United States, and has contributed recognized values to American society.
The first parade in the United States was in 1601 in the Hispanic colony of St. Augustine in Florida. Then soldiers of Irish origin who were serving in the war organized another parade in the cities of Boston and New York in 1772. Since 1961 the celebration has been an official day in the United States.
The history of Ireland is complicated and full of political conflicts that have religion among their causes, which is why this country became independent from Great Britain and was divided in 1916. The first parade to officially celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day was performed in Ireland in 1931. The celebration became a secular event, which included the exaltation of the traditions of Celtic origin.
To this day, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are held year after year. At the end of the last century, this party was the first national holiday of Saint Patrick in the United States, an event that lasted three days and was promoted internationally. It is highly appreciated for its creativity, for its origins, and for being a source of work for the organizers and for sellers of food considered traditional for Irish migrants such as corned beef stew, bacon, abundant dark beer, and bagels.
The reminiscence of the Celtic culture appears with the presence of the green clover that also recalls the return of spring and the appearance of the leprechaun called, the Leprechauns is an icon of the holiday, people like to dress up as this character. It is said that its origin comes from the belief in fairies and goblins, this little man who has magical powers for good or evil brings economic fortune and good luck.
This celebration generates great pride in people of Irish descent. The festivities are famous in various cities of the United States such as Philadelphia, Chicago, Kansas, Savannah, Denver, and the largest is held in New York City with an important parade to the sound of bagpipes and drums, with an attendance of more than a million spectators and everything is dyed green.
Sadly, during the years 2020 and 2021, the city parades were canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. During this celebration, it is also used to do charity work for disadvantaged Irish descendants or with some affliction. In 2022 the celebration returns to the streets of the main cities of the country, like the parade in Houston TX.
For Mexicans it also has a special meaning, remembering the San Patricio Battalion that participated in the war of intervention of the United States against Mexico in the year 1847. In those years, an unfortunate strategy considered the Irish soldiers of lower category compared to the rest of the members of the North American army, this caused that sector to separate and ally itself with the Mexicans to repel the intervention.
The deserters fought alongside the Mexican army against US troops in the battles of Monterrey in northern Mexico and in the center of the country in the Churubusco convent. The San Patricio Battalion gave its life and 200 soldiers died in support of the Mexicans and every March 17 they are remembered with honor in that country. People dress in green, bagpipes are heard, dances are presented and the traditional parade is not long in coming, all organized by the diplomatic representation of Ireland in Mexico.
At Del Pueblo Funeral Home, we join the memories of the history of nations that represents the struggle of peoples to develop cultures that enrich us as people and learn from the past to improve the future, so we remind you that we make easy most difficult moments.
