On Monday, March 17 people around the world celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by attending parades and wearing green. Although, not many people know the true story behind St. Patrick’s Day or the man the day was named after.
The patron saint of Ireland wasn’t actually from Ireland; he was British. When he was about sixteen, his family estate was attacked by Irish raiders and he was captured.
He was then transported to Ireland and sold into slavery for six long years. He lived among the Druids and pagans as a shepherd. His captivity lasted until he was twenty, and one day after a dream from God, he escaped back home to his family.
In Britain he studied to become a priest and was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre the man he studied under for many years. He had another dream about returning to Ireland because its people were calling to him.
Sometime later Patrick was ordained a Bishop and traveled to Ireland. Over the next forty years, he converted people all over Ireland. During that time, he worked many miracles and helped many different people.
On March 17, 461, he died in the city of Saul after many years of long travel and poverty. He built the first church in that very city.
One of the most well-known symbols to be associated with St. Patrick is the shamrock. It’s said that he used it to teach people about the Holy Trinity.
It was also seen in pre-Christian days in Ireland and some believed that it represented rebirth and eternal life. The number three was sacred to the Pagan religion; it represented many of the “Triple Goddesses” such as Brigid, Ériu, and the Morrigan.