Everyone likes a good holiday celebration. It gives us a break from our daily routine and an escape from our current reality. Some holidays offer a chance to wear silly clothes or costumes. Others are celebrated with parades and parties. These special days have a magical way of unlocking the inner child who is tired of routine and responsibility and wants whimsy and fun. And in the world today, we need some silliness and pointless celebration. 

St. Patrick’s Day is one of those holidays. It is an excuse to wear silly green outfits, pinch people who don’t wear green, drink libations with green food coloring, and pretend to be Irish for a day. But, like many holidays, we have lost sight of the reason we are celebrating this day. March 17 is the day that Saint Patrick died. The true purpose of this holiday is to celebrate his life.

Most people are surprised to learn that Patrick was not from Ireland. He was born in Roman Britain, likely what is now England or Wales. He lived a remarkable life. When he was a teenager, he was captured by Irish pirates and brought to Ireland where he was enslaved for six years. He later escaped back to Britain and studied for many years to become a priest. After becoming a priest and receiving what he described as a divine calling, he made a surprising and courageous decision. He went back to Ireland to work as a missionary. When he returned, he faced strong resistance and was captured and threatened with death on numerous occasions. He later became famous for converting the pagan Irish society to Christianity. He became the patron saint of Ireland and is revered today for his role in establishing churches, schools, and monasteries.

Saint Patrick, like many others throughout history, was an unlikely hero. Through perseverance, faith, and courage, he went from being a slave to the patron saint of the country. Nelson Mandela is another unlikely hero. After being imprisoned for 27 years, he became South Africa’s first black president and played a vital role in dismantling the apartheid system. David was a young shepherd who bravely slayed Goliath and later became the legendary king of Israel. Harriet Tubman was born into slavery and then became a leading abolitionist, rescuing many through the Underground Railroad. 

Like Saint Patrick, all these people ignored what others told them was possible. They saw an opportunity to serve in the face of often overwhelming and dangerous circumstances. Lawyers are often called on to act as heroes for clients who cannot protect their own interests or unjust conditions. Many times, these clients are part of a marginalized community or simply don’t have the means to stand up to powerful interests. Thurgood Marshall was a hero in the civil rights movement. He was a prominent civil rights lawyer before becoming the first African American appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. He did not let the status quo stop him from bringing about great change. Ruther Bader Ginsburg was a hero for gender equality and women’s rights. She argued numerous gender discrimination cases before the Supreme Court before being appointed a Justice on the Court. She did not let her small physical stature stop her from being a warrior for the rights of others. 

So, this St. Patrick’s Day, by all means, wear that ridiculous green hat and unleash your inner mischief-maker. Celebrate with joy, laughter, and a little bit of harmless nonsense because the world needs more moments that make us giggle. But in the midst of the fun, take a moment to remember the heart of the holiday and the legacy of unlikely heroes like Saint Patrick. Let their stories remind you that greatness doesn’t always come with a title or a parade. Sometimes, it begins quietly, with one brave decision to do what’s right. Sometimes, all it takes is a little heart, a little hope, and the courage to step up when it matters most. And if you can do all that while wearing shamrock-shaped sunglasses? Even better.