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Quick Facts:
Ardmore
ARDMORE — Top o’ the morning, middle of the night or whenever the baby comes, every newborn arriving March 17 at Mercy is going home with a green onesie to celebrate the hospital’s Irish roots.
“We make no promises that wearing green will protect their cute little baby thighs from a parent’s loving pinches,” said Carol Beecher, Mercy manager of mother-baby services and women’s education. “Parents typically find themselves unable to resist, even for St. Patrick’s Day-compliant children. But we’re doing our best with these onesies.”
The design of the onesies includes a shamrock and reads, “Born at Mercy on St. Paddy’s Day.” Catherine McAuley, Mercy’s foundress, opened the first House of Mercy in Dublin in 1827, making the 1,500-year-old holiday celebrating Ireland’s patron saint a special one at Mercy hospitals.
“Our hospital has always been a part of the fabric of Ardmore, with local babies being born here for generations,” said Tracy Dewbre, Mercy Birthplace — Ardmore’s nurse manager. “Every one of the 70 babies born here every month is special, and it’s fun to do just a little bit extra on a day like St. Patrick’s Day.”
Mercy’s downloadable pregnancy guides have everything expecting parents need to know to prepare for their own little leprechaun.
Mercy and St. Patrick
The Sisters of Mercy came to the United States from Ireland in 1843. They arrived in St. Louis in 1856 and eventually established hospitals throughout the Midwest.
Catholicism is deeply intertwined with Irish history. As he ministered to early Christians in Ireland, St. Patrick is credited with using the three-leaf shamrock as a symbol for the Holy Trinity – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The clover’s three leaves are also associated with faith, hope and love.
“The Sisters of Mercy have always been known for their devotion and also their joy,” said Beecher. “That’s what makes these onesies such a fun way for all of us to celebrate our Irish heritage with the people welcoming a new life into their family. We hope they add something a little extra special to what is already one of the best and most memorable days of their lives.”
St. Patrick Facts
- Not Originally Green: The holiday was originally associated with the color blue in medieval times but later shifted to green, possibly influenced by Ireland’s nickname as the “Emerald Isle,” the country’s lush green landscapes, the green shamrock and the green in the Irish flag.
- St. Patrick Wasn’t Irish: Although he’s Ireland’s patron saint, he was born in Britain.
- Global Celebration: Despite its Irish origin, the day is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival and on every continent.
- Lenten Reprieve: The holiday falls during Lent, a 40-day period of spiritual reflection between Ash Wednesday and Easter, but Lenten dietary restrictions are traditionally lifted for the day.
- Largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade: New York City’s parade attracts millions of participants and spectators each year.
- Irish Ancestry: Irish roots are the second most commonly reported in the U.S. (after German) with some 35 million Americans claiming Irish heritage.
- Patty or Paddy? Either is correct, but St. Paddy’s Day is more popular and came from shortening the Irish spelling of Patrick, which is Pádraig.
Read more about St. Patrick from St. Patrick Catholic Church in Wentzville, Missouri, a parish in the Archdiocese of St. Louis where Mercy is headquartered today.
