St. Patrick's Day

by Lauraine Alberetti Lombara

I grew up in South Boston and experienced many years of historical commemorations of Evacuation Day and St. Patrick’s Day. The day was a bright spot in the winter/early spring calendar bringing a holiday between Valentine’s Day and Easter, usually smack dab in the middle of the Lenten Season( on which day the lenten fast was lifted for resident Catholics).

Families prepared foods and beverages for their own and visiting relatives and friends. Crowds flocked the streets early to “reserve” choice spots to view the enormous parade.  Armed forces units and bands marched proudly along with police walking or mounted on their handsome steeds, firefighters on their gleaming red trucks, sirens blaring loudly. Schools, colleges, church and fraternal organizations had pride of place with their bands along with noted bands hired to perform. 

The “pols” were there, strutting down the streets with all the swagger they could muster, waving and running to the crowded sides to shake hands with their many supporters. For many people my age, the sight of John W. McCormack, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and John F. Kennedy as a young Representative and Senator was a highlight.The big political breakfast held each March 17th morning was broadcast on the radio and TV. The banter, jokes and ad libs were appreciated by most, but not all listeners.

My mother loved the day as a chance to open our house to visitors who could enjoy a special lunch and for dessert, her famous fruit tort, homemade brownies and Italian cookies or Irish bread from the local bakery.  Hot coffee, tea and hot chocolate as well as stronger spirits for the adults, plus a respite for many from the cold, snow or rain as often happened in mid March. 

Married and living in Beverly never prevented me and my family from heading back to “Southie” each year for the parade. One year in particular was special. Pregnant with my third child, I had prepared to go with my husband and two daughters. I never made it as I began to have intense labor pains and was taken to Salem Hospital. My husband returned to pick up the girls, five and seven, at our neighbor’s, and brought them to my Mom’s to watch the parade. My husband called the hospital at intervals to check on my progress until he left to bring the girls and Nana back to Beverly. A quick stop in Salem pleased my Mom - she was on tenterhooks and urged him to run in and see how I was doing.  A huge surprise for all - I had just delivered a boy. A memorable St. Patrick’s Day, but the parade had been postponed to March 19th due to inclement weather so it was March 19th - the feast day of St. Joseph!   We were happy with the fact that all went well and he was healthy! 

Celebrations continued in Beverly for there was a large circle of Irish American friends and neighbors who celebrated March 17th at wonderful dances sponsored by St. Margaret Parish and Hastings House (Community Center) in Beverly Farms.  Terrific Irish bands from Dorchester were hired and all enjoyed a lively, fun evening of Irish songs and dancing. We seemed to know the words to many classic Irish songs (at least I did, learning them in Southie) and were eager to learn more and to watch the set dances which were a performance unto themselves. Irish breads and many, like cakes, were set out, baked by the ladies from the “Counties across the sea”, so proudly offered, so unbelievably delicious. (I have a few treasured recipes which I do make). The Commodore Restaurant was the place to go for the  traditional corned beef and cabbage lunch and maybe to stay until evening for the non-stop Irish music. Many a Happy St. Patrick’s Day there!

The best of South Boston or Beverly was the camaraderie of all - no barriers existed. We were all striving to be good citizens, raise our families well and contribute our best in all we did.  We knew we were blessed to live in the greatest country in the world, the United States of America. Our commonality was and still is triumphant in this regard. So as it happened in South Boston or Beverly - on Saint Patrick’s Day, everyone was a wee bit Irish!