It honors the patron saint of Ireland who brought Christianity to the Irish in the fifth century. But the holiday, as we know it, was shaped by Irish immigrants in America. In the mid-nineteenth century, more than a million Irish fled the great famine, a catastrophic event that left families starving and desperate. They arrived on American shore, hoping for a better life, but instead faced fierce discrimination. Signs reading, "No Irish need apply," reflected the hostility they encountered. Many viewed the Irish as outsiders, too Catholic, too foreign, too different. Yet the Irish persevered.
The Irish struggles mirror the challenges faced by immigrants today. Yet, like the Irish, today's immigrants contribute to the economy, enrich our culture, and dream of a better future. St. Patrick's Day is more than a big party. It's a reminder that America's story is an immigrant story. America's promise is not just for those who arrived yesterday, it is for everyone who believes in hope, opportunity, and a future worth fighting for. Let's embrace the idea that we are all Irish. This is Dr. Scott Morris, for Church Health.
