The Interesting History of Saint Patrick’s Day 

Staff Writer: Ximena Rojas  

Saint Patrick’s Day is an important Holiday that is celebrated in Ireland also known as the feast of St. Patrick. On St Patrick’s Day, March 17^th the national apostle of Ireland is celebrated for bringing Christianity to Ireland. Saint Patrick also played a part in the Christianization of Anglo-Saxons and The Picts. Before Patrick became a saint, he was a boy who lived and was raised in Roman Britain. He was kidnapped and brought to an island near Ireland at the short age of 26. He was ripped apart from his family by a group of Irish people. He was kidnapped and was held in slavery on a ship in the early 400’s. Patrick was held captive in Ireland for a rough 6 years and worked as a Shepard. During these 6 years Patrick was deprived of clothes and food, he let his faith guide him and that is when his Christianity was awoken. He dreamt of escaping slavery and going back to his home. Patrick also had dreams such of converting Irish people into Christians. He wrote in a book of the things the “angels” would tell him that soon later became true. After years and years of suffering, Patrick had finally escaped. He had returned to Roman Britain and was reunited with his family. Patrick later felt responsible for the Irish people and felt obligated to convert them to Christianity as the angels spoke to him.  

Patrick returned to the island and began to practice his Christianity with others. Then, after an extended training period, Patrick was officially ordained to become a Deacon in 418 A.D and later became a bishop in 432 A.D. He served in Ireland and helped hundreds and hundreds of people when he then died later in 462 at a good and healthy age of 76. Word spread that Patricius (Bishop name that was given to him) died and the Irish people were devastated. 

That day, March 17^th has been celebrated every year since in remembrance of him. In Ireland, many other countries and even all over the United Sates he is celebrated with big parades, feasts and even parties. On the day of saint Patrick, people usually wear green to represent the color of the Shamrock. A shamrock was a comparison of the Holy Spirit according to Patrick. The three clovers on one stem represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit comes together to create one source, God. The Shamrock is also known to be the national plant of Ireland.  

There are also known to be multiple myths of Saint Patrick’s Day that have originated here in the United States. One being the myth of the Leprechaun. The Leprechaun actually has nothing to do with the history of Saint Patrick’s Day, but it came along with the Celtic belief of fairies, or in this case, tiny men and women who can use their “powers” for good or bad. Some people believe that if you do not wear green on Saint Patrick’s Day you are to be pinched by the Leprechaun. Another tradition of Saint Patrick’s Day is corned beef and cabbage. Irish families share this meal with their loved ones in remembrance of Saint Patrick. Lastly, music plays a big part in celebrating Saint Patrick. During the time when Ireland was conquered by the English, they had their language prohibited and turned to music. They used music as an escape to express themselves and to keep their history and hold on to their heritage. Today in festivals or parades people play or preform traditional Irish music. Over time celebrations have changed greatly but the real history of Saint Patrick’s Day has not been forgotten.