By Gionna Bean, Opinion Editor
Saint Patrick – Photo by Britannica
Saint Patrick’s Day is widely celebrated as a day of drinking, leprechauns and wearing green. However, the true origins of the holiday are highly religious, and the day marks the feast of Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland.
Students have mixed beliefs about how the holiday should be celebrated because of this. Should it just be a day to drink and be merry or should people pay more attention to the saint that put the holiday on the calendar?
Saint Patrick was sixteen when he was captured by Irish raiders and enslaved as he worked as a shepherd. He spent his time in captivity developing a relationship with God, and eventually became a beloved bishop of Ireland.
For many practicing Catholics attending Aquinas, it is important to remember Saint Patrick as an example of someone who had a good relationship with God— one all Christians should follow.
“I enjoy celebrating St. Patrick’s day,” freshman Myca Johnson said. “Personally, as a Catholic, celebrating the feast day of St. Patrick and remembering the Saint is important.”
Others do not find the holiday to be as important as Catholics, and may not celebrate it at all.
“I don’t ever do much for Saint Patrick’s day,” senior Elliana Hudson said. “However, even if I don’t celebrate, I do enjoy seeing all the decorations, festivities and campus events for Saint Patrick’s day.”
Over time, Saint Patrick’s Day has become a day known for the green decorations and big parties. For example, former Northern Irish student Joel Grimsley hosted a Saint Patrick’s Day Pub Quiz on campus last year. The event featured a game night style quiz consisting of questions about Ireland to celebrate the roots of the holiday.
Events like this are sure to be featured during Spring Fest this year, happening from March 16-22.
Spring Fest 2026 – Photo by Aquinas SAO
The Saint 