Every year, St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., holds the same tradition to mark St. Patrick’s Day, hosting a Mass, with bagpipes played and Irish jigs performed outside the church to mark the holiday. Since the March 17 feast day for the patron saint of Ireland lands on a Sunday this year, the Solemnity of St. Patrick Mass and celebration were held two days earlier, on Friday March 15. 

St. Patrick's Day honors the fifth-century Catholic saint initially born in Roman Britain. The holiday was first established in 1631, and although Christianity was already present in Ireland, St. Patrick is credited with bringing the faith to the Emerald Isle. He is said to have converted thousands after becoming a priest in a country that was predominantly Druid at the time. 

Outside the church, dancers from the O’Neill-James School of Irish Dance in Arlington performed traditional dances as Michael Scott from the MacMillan Pipe Band, based in Rockville, Maryland, accompanied them on the bagpipes. 

Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians volunteered as ushers during the Mass.

Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory celebrated the Mass for St. Patrick’s Day alongside St. Patrick's pastor, Father Patrick Lewis, and a harpist played during the Mass. 

During his homily, Cardinal Gregory said St. Patrick is a saint “for the entire world” who touched the souls of people worldwide. 

“The Archdiocese of Washington has grown into a vibrant and zealous local Church often carried on the shoulders of the many Irish faithful, religious, and clergy who have served us and continue to serve us generously each day from our foundation,” the cardinal said.

St. Patrick is said to have driven the snakes out of Ireland. Cardinal Gregory explained the significance of this – although there probably was no actual serpent infestation.

“Snakes make numerous and annoying appearances in the Word of God, and none of them are very flattering. And the Church continues the tradition of depicting the lowly serpent as an enemy of humanity,” Cardinal Gregory said. 

Lent, the cardinal said, is a time to face evils.

“Patrick’s feast day always occurs during this season when the Church is deeply engaged in asking God to remove the evil that still manages to entrap all of us,” Cardinal Gregory said. “The gospels declare that those who are the true disciples of the Lord will be able to handle the evil that surrounds them and not be overwhelmed by that struggle, which will continue until Christ has finally and ultimately triumphed over all creation.” 

The cardinal concluded his homily speaking on the legacy of St. Patrick and the people of Ireland.

“Patrick and his legacy made sure that there have been disciples who could handle the adversity and the evil that [snakes] symbolized, which is why throughout the world over, Patrick’s name is held in such high regard and snakes flee before him and those who walk in his ways and celebrate his faith and holiness of life as we do this day – even in anticipation before the Church universal pauses to revere his splendid legacy given for all the world on that day that belongs to him. Éirinn go Brách!” Cardinal Gregory said. 

Dancers continued their performances following the Mass.