Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day

Introduction On March 17, people around the world come together for Saint Patrick's Day. This holiday celebrates the people and culture of Ireland. Towns and cities have parades with music and dancing. Many people wear green and eat Irish foods. The day started, however, as a day to celebrate Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

Who Was Saint Patrick? Saint Patrick wasn't always a saint, nor was he “ Patrick. " He wasn't even Irish! His name was Maewyn Succat. He was born into a Catholic family in Britain around AD 385 or 390. When he was sixteen, Irish invaders captured him and took him to Ireland.

Maewyn was forced to take care of sheep in Ireland for six years. During this difficult time, he found comfort in his religion. He later wrote that a dream told him to escape on a ship. When he did, he returned to his family in Britain.

His writings say he had another dream in Britain. The dream told him to return to Ireland to help the Irish people. Maewyn later began many years of training and became a priest and then a bishop. He was given the Latin name Patricius, or Patrick.

Patrick finally returned to Ireland. He set up schools and churches. He helped people in need and became well known. Many people in Ireland became Catholic because of Patrick.