Theological Foundations

Homily - Msgr Cody

04.03.10 - Letter to the Hibernians

Dear AOH Members,
Just recently we celebrated the great Feast of St. Patrick, patron of the Irish people. Although this day is celebrated with much enthusiasm, there are some disturbing trends that have all but taken over the holiday and threaten to eventually change the celebration of St. Patrick's Day into something our patron Saint would find shocking and appalling. I'm speaking of the commercialization of St. Patrick's Day.
If it wasn't bad enough that the Day has become an opportunity to overindulge in drink, thus perpetuating a dismaying stereotype of the Irish, but the religious dimension has been all but rung out of it to the point that it has gone the way of Christmas and other Christian holidays eclipsed by secularization and profiteering..
I read a newspaper article recently that began: "St. Patrick's Day, originally a religious observance of the Feast Day of Ireland's patron, has become secular and is now a celebration of all things Irish." That stark statement is deplorable and is an insult not only to St. Patrick, but also to Almighty God.
Every year, we see signs that urge us: "Keep Christ in Christmas." I'd like to begin a new campaign: "Keep St. Patrick's Day religious." Banish the plastic green hats, green beer and green dyed hair. Keep all people out of bars and pubs until the opening Mass is over - require all to refrain from imbibing until at least after Mass. Let no Irish man or woman march in the parade unless he/she went to Mass to begin St. Patrick's Day. I could go on and on. Too draconian? Not sensitive to the feelings of those who are not religious? Not ecumenical enough? Destined to have the bar owners and peddlers of Irish paraphernalia angry with us? I think it's worth the risk to make a point: if people want to get drunk and disorderly, let it be not on the Feast of a Saint, but rather on the Celtic New Year (Samhain). That's part of our heritage too, the pagan part, before St. Patrick taught us better. (Not that it's ever a good idea to get drunk or disorderly - it's just that a pagan holiday seems more appropriate celebrating all things Irish).
I realize my objections to the way we celebrate St. Patrick's Day will be harshly criticized by many, and judged politically incorrect by most. However, it's time some of the Irish took a stand not for self-indulgence, self-righteousness, or any form of bad behavior, but rather for the proper religious observance of a day commemorating the patron Saint of Ireland. Anything we do to add more seriousness and solemnity to this Feast will not only honor St. Patrick, but will also give glory to God and be a tribute to our Irish Catholic heritage.
God's blessings on all,
Monsignor John Kelly Cody
Ohio AOH Chaplain