New Orleans is a city that hews to traditions. There is the Bienville Club, the Boston Club, the Regular Democratic Organization, or the Old Regulars. There are Carnival krewes, skull and bones gangs, black masking Indians, baby dolls, social aid and pleasure clubs, Preservation Hall... the list goes on but tempus fugit.
One of the fraternal orders that preserves traditions is the Holiday Club. Card carrying members celebrate old holidays in the spirit they were originally intended. They also get discounts at the Christmas shop on Decatur Street, in the French Quarter. They also get a discount at Plush Appeal, your Mardi Gras headquarters. They also get a discount at the Mortuary when it's open. They also get ten percent off Revillon dinners at participating restaurants.
Members of the Holiday Club help distribute the St. Joseph altar food to the poor at the end of St. Joseph's Day. They testified on behalf of the Mardi Gras Indians in front of the City Council that night Big Chief Tootie Montana died on the spot.
Only Irish members of the Holiday Club, or Catholics of any descent, celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Corned beef and cabbage is consumed by both the secular and the religious. Some are in the parade and some are in the crowd. There are as many blessings as a four-leaf clover. God overlooks New Orleans.
Valentine's Day is St. Valentine's Day, a Roman Catholic feast day in honor of a martyr. As good Pope Galesius I said, "Saint Valentine is among those whose names are justly reverenced by men but whose acts are known only to God." That was on Feb 14, 496, the very first Feast of St. Valentine.
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