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Despair hung heavily in the eyes of those once bright, young people. It was supposed to be a special day – a spectacular day – made just for us, the students of Notre Dame. But March 17th came and went without its usual pomp and circumstance. Sure, those truly tied to the sanctity of the day still found ways to celebrate, but there was a noticeable difference in the way we commemorated our beloved St. Patrick. Something was missing and it very probably was the green stained mouths of students stumbling by, but it was also a distinct joy and a fervent pride that we lost. It makes one truly wonder, what is the Notre Dame student without a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
It’s long been a legend that the powers that be only allow for students to be on campus for this special day once every four years. The other times March 17 simply happens to fall within the confines of spring break. The excitement is simply too much and the alcohol content too great, to handle a day like this each year. They may have thought they swindled us by giving us our one St. Patrick’s Day on campus during a raging pandemic. Quite honestly, it’s a bit hard to argue that they didn’t.
The university’s deep French – sorry I meant Irish – heritage makes the sting of this loss that much sharper. Who are the Fighting Irish when they cannot darty with abandon and knock back Four Lokos in the glimmer of a brisk March day? Are we then simply students learning at a premiere institution dedicated to growing our minds and hearts through vigorous study and stimulating community? It definitely feels like something is missing there. Who in their right mind would pay a yearly $75,147 for that?
It’s been hard to feel lucky. It’s been hard not to act like the wildebeests college students are. So, the masses are left to ponder, seeking aim and seeking purpose, as they look up to the sky and yell, “Who is the Notre Dame student without a St. Patrick’s Day celebration?”