Many thanks for this guest post submission from Immaculate Conception of Mary Apostolate. The Saints are special in my life and a great way to help us on our own journey towards heaven. While I have been known to enjoy a cold beer in years gone by, I especially appreciate having ways to celebrate that do not involve doing Irish yoga. 

How to Reclaim St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick is one of the best known Catholics Saints. His feast day (March 17th) is celebrated by the secular world as well as Catholics. St. Patrick’s feast day may best known for beer. Lots and lots of beer. As a matter of fact, if today you were to google images of St. Patrick’s Day, well let’s just say that you better have a parental control filter installed. Even good Catholics forget to remember the man that purged Paganism from Ireland.

“St. Patrick’s Breast-Plate” is said to have been composed by St. Patrick in preparation for this victory over Paganism. Here is a portion of his prayer.

This does not sound like a man who would endorse most of the parties that celebrate his name.  Would littering be the proper way to celebrate Earth Day?  Neither is rowdy drunkenness the way to celebrate St. Patrick’s feast day. Sure, have a green beer, but avoid the secular shenanigans.

I am sure St. Patrick is honored to be honored, but not by the way our society does it today.

So how should we honor St. Patrick’s Day?  Here are five suggestions.

1. Go to Mass!  Offer the mass to the reparation of sins that will happen on this day. This is the best way to honor a man such as St. Patrick.
2. Say a Novena to Saint Patrick.  Click here to for the Saint Patrick Novena.
3. Learn more about the Life of Saint Patrick.
4. Say the prayer we have the listed to the right.  A portion from the “St. Patrick’s Breast-Plate.”
5. Do Not Wear St. Patty’s Beer Shirts.  Please go with a Catholic Alternative that truly honors the Saint and the way he lived his life. (affiliate link coming up!)You can receive a $5 discount through 2/28/15 off a St. Patrick’s t-shirt that you’ll have in time to wear on March 17th.  

Saint Patrick, Pray for us!

Is St. Patrick’s Day a cause for celebration in your house?

How do you honor St. Patrick?

The post 5 Spiritual Alternatives for Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day appeared first on Day By Day in Our World.