Is St. Patrick's Day A Secular Holiday?

Is St. Patrick's Day a secular celebration of Irish heritage, or is it a religious holiday? This year that question is raised because-- for the first time since 1940-- St. Patrick's Day (March 17) falls during Holy Week, the seven days before Easter. An AP story on Friday reported that Catholic liturgical rules preclude a Mass in honor of St. Patrick during Holy Week, so Masses are moved to March 14. The question, however, is whether traditional parades and other celebrations should also be moved. They are in a few cities such as Savannah, Philadelphia and Milwaukee. However the parade is still scheduled during Holy Week in cities such as New York, Boston and Columbus, Ohio. Indeed in New York, Cardinal Edward Egan will review the parade from the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral after saying Mass for Holy Week.