St. Patrick

Before St. Patrick’s Day became a holiday, Saint Patrick was a Christian saint who was a priest in Ireland. Saint Patrick was born in Great Britain when it was ruled by the Roman Empire. He came from a wealthy family. His real name is Maeywn Succat. The name St. Patrick was given to him later in life by Pope Celestine. He was born in the year 387 A.D. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on the date of his birth. When he was a teenager, pirates attacked his family. He was captured. He had been taken back to Ireland to be sold as a slave. Patrick was enslaved in Ireland for 6 years. During his 6 years, he turned to his religion for help and because of that, he become closer to god through prayer. After 6 years, St. Patrick had a dream that he’ll escape. He wrote that he heard a voice he thought was God telling him to return to England. Patrick obeyed the voice by walking hundreds of miles to the nearest Irish harbor. St. Patrick also dreamt of an angel telling him to return to Ireland and be a missionary. He obeyed the angel and followed in his father and grandfather’s footsteps and eventually became a bishop. He became a missionary and returned to Ireland. When he got back to Ireland, he converted all the Irish to Christianity to become closer to god like him. The bad news is that St. Patrick realized that the Irish wouldn’t convert right away. As a result, he added the ancient Irish cultures in Christianity. There are not as many details about when or where Saint Patrick did his missionary work in Ireland. Patrick was quite successful at winning converts, and this upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. Saint Patrick died at Saul, Down Patrick, Ireland around 460 or 461 A.D. Why we celebrate this day is because he is the patron saint of Ireland. The first Saint Patrick’s Day celebration in the United States was held in Boston in 1737. The largest St. Patrick’s Day parade was in New York.
By: Barry L. and Eileen C.