Irish bishops move St. Patrick's Day 2008 over conflict with Holy Week
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Dublin, Ireland, Jul 19, 2007 / 10:42 am (CNA).- Religions celebrations for St. Patrick's Day will come two days early in Ireland next year to avoid a conflict with Holy Week.

St. Patrick's Day is usually celebrated March 17, but Ireland's bishops have shifted the feast day, in honor of the national saint, to Saturday, March 15, reported The Associated Press.

Church authorities reportedly spent weeks debating where to move the feast day because March 17, 2008, falls on the second day of Holy Week next year.

The liturgical norms would require the feast day to be moved to the earliest available date after Easter, which would be April 1. But church officials said the Vatican approved the March 15 date in order to minimize conflict with the scheduled civic events.

While religious celebrations honoring St. Patrick are affected, religious and secular authorities stressed this would not change secular festivities. The St. Patrick's Festival Committee in Dublin confirmed that next year's parade would be March 17 as usual. In addition, Monday, March 17, will remain an official day off of work in Ireland.

This marks the first time the date has been changed since 1940. The next conflict with Holy Week is not expected until 2160.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Jordan
Vancouver, BC, Canada 03/18/2008 03:52 AM EST
This is only for the date of the feast (and not secular observations), only in Ireland, and only for one year (not again until at least 2160, the next Holy Week conflict). I'm guessing few of those up in arms will be adversely affected.
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Published by: Karen LH
Maryland 03/17/2008 04:28 PM EST
"I think its a little pathetic... The catholic church is always changing this and moving that. They really need to get off there hihg horse and not make such a big deal out of such little things, if they have a proble with anything they think the entire world should change there lives for them."

Ummm... Get a grip. Feast days that fall during Holy Week or Easter Week are always either dropped or moved to a different time. This is only "news" (and it's not) because St. Patrick's Day almost always falls well before Holy Week.
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Published by: Jonathan Ferguson
Canada 03/17/2008 11:47 AM EST
Mick,

It's not about you. Get over yourself.

It's about Saint Patrick.
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Published by: Matt Minogue
New York, NY USA 03/17/2008 09:24 AM EST
Even the Catholic church subscribes to the theory that "any press is good press". Anyone who celebrates St. Patrick's Day with the fervor that I do is certainly not a devout Catholic, so this does not affect me in any way.
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Published by: Timothy Ryan
Surprise AZ USA 03/16/2008 11:02 PM EST
Rate: Bad
I think its a little pathetic... The catholic church is always changing this and moving that. They really need to get off there hihg horse and not make such a big deal out of such little things, if they have a proble with anything they think the entire world should change there lives for them.
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Published by: Peri_P_Laneta
Sacramento/California 03/16/2008 08:29 PM EST
The reasons for celebrating St. Patrick's Day are, in order of importance: 1. to celebrate the holiness of beer, 2. to honor the patron saint of beer, St. Patrick, 3. to confirm and commune with the sanctity of the fermentation process,and 4. to recognize national (Irish) pride in quality beer. Let the Church do what it must, but the loyal followers of St Patrick will ALWAYS celebrate the majesty of the greatest of all brews on March 17!
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Published by: Michael R. Embrickson
Austin Mn USA 03/10/2008 06:22 PM EST
Rate: Very Good
I think St Patrick being a Roman Catholic Bishop himself would have no objection to the day being moved back to pay respect to Jesus Christ,the real reason for St. Patricks day
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Published by: Colm
Limerick 03/10/2008 05:51 PM EST
"Monday, March 17, will remain an official day off of work in Ireland." Not for us who work in bars and have to pay for a "free education" as well.
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Published by: Billie
Wyoming,Mi. USA 03/10/2008 04:36 PM EST
Rate: Regular
Hi, I feel very dissapointed that they would even think of changing the date of St.Patrick's Day. March 17th is my birthday and it will always be St.Patrick's Day to me.
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Published by: Sharon
Milwaukee, WI, USA 03/09/2008 08:43 AM EST
These comment (except for the one from E.Peoria, which is excellent) show that people don't read carefully and that they are willing to comment on what they don't understand. That is disturbing! This change in celebration effects only the celebration of the Mass. If you are not going to church on St. Paddy's day, you will never know the difference. Since far more people go to bars than churches on for the wearing of the green, there will be peace on earth!
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Published by: Klock
USA 03/01/2008 11:01 AM EST
Rate: Regular
Typical Christian holiday. Make a saint of someone who drives Druids (snakes) from their home because their religion is older than Christianity.
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Published by: Mark Pippenger
Templeorum, Co Kilkenny 02/01/2008 05:26 PM EST
Rate: Good
The Feast of St. Patrick is a day to celebrate the Saint. Because he is considered the patron saint of Ireland, Irish-Americans celebrated his feast day as a way to celebrate their "Irishness." Unfortunately the celebrations have left behind any vestige of "Irishness" and indeed have overlooked the reason for the day. Even more sad, the American celebrations have now spread to Ireland, where every year we have to endure days of American-inspired parades and such.

Personally, I'm overjoyed that my celebration of St. Patrick's special day will this year avoid most of the tacky paddywhackery.
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Published by: Tom Dwyer
West Peoria, IL, USA 01/04/2008 06:25 PM EST
Relax folks. The Irish bishops made a liturgical decision affecting Irish diocese, not USA, nor UK. They moved the feast day with papal approval to keep it closer to the traditional feast day than the alternative. It is a good compromise which allows the religious celebration to remain a part of the national celebration while maintaining the solemnity of Holy Week. Their decision only affects those who plan to attend Mass as part of their celebration of Patrick's day so unless you will be in Ireland for the feast day, chill out, pray for peace in your hear and thank God you are Irish.
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Published by: Eugene
Peoria/Illinois/USA 01/03/2008 11:32 PM EST
In the Peoria, Illinois diocese, St. Patrick's feast moves to March 14 --with no Friday fasting in parishes named for him; St. Joseph's solemnity is transferred to March 15. Keeping Holy Week holy.
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Published by: Matthew Buckley
Babylon, NY, USA 07/30/2007 06:40 AM EST
Rate: Very Good
If the celebration of a Catholic saint falls during Holy Week, move it over. God comes first. St Patricks Day is not a day to celebrate being Irish, its to honor a Saint. If there was no Holy Week there would be no St Patrick. Be proud to be Irish all the time not just when, and how ad agencies say so. Are people really that nieve about this special holiday and Holy week? Grow up.
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Published by: Susan Gallagher
United States 07/26/2007 08:12 AM EST
Rate: Regular
Thre are far more important issues the bishops should be worried about and looking at..besdes moving St Patricks Day...
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Published by: Eleanor
Phila., PA USA 07/25/2007 08:32 PM EST
Rate: Regular
Sorry....I think it's silly to move St. Patrick's Day. People are going to celebrate March 17th anyway. Now they will be celebrating all weekend! Which actually isn't a bad thing!!
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Published by: Mick Delaney
U K 07/25/2007 02:33 PM EST
Rate: Regular
Hi,
i think its disgusting that St Patricks Day has to be changed,especially as it only conflicts with Holy Week once in a while. this hasput me more off been a catholic all my life , & tink that the Irish People should 100% object to the decision, Remember , Its for the Irosh to be proud of, not just for religion. At this moment i feel ashamed to be Irish ,& feel like i have just been robbed of my birthright .

I hope & pray the ppl in Ireland will not let this happen.

Thanks for letting me have my say .

Mick Delaney
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