St. Patricks Day by Sophia Diehl

St. Patrickʼs Day is a fun, Irish holiday that is also celebrated by many Americans today.St. Patrick was born in Scotland. His parents were wealthy Romans living in Britain. St. Patrick was captured by Irish raiders when he was about 14 years old. He became a slave that tended and herded sheep. He was very afraid, and so he prayed about 100 times a day! This gave him a very close relationship with God, and when St. Patrick was 20, he heard God telling him to go back to Scotland. So that was what he did. Once he had escaped to Scotland, he studied to be a pastor. Then, St. Patrick had dreams and visions of the people of Ireland calling him back to help them. So the saint went to Ireland and shared Jesus with the Irish and baptized them. This is how the holiday originated.

St. Patrickʼs Day is an important holiday in Ireland. March 17 is a feast and a holy day, so many Irish go to mass on this holiday. Then, this day is followed by week offestivities including fire works, parades, music, and treasure hunts. It is common forfamilies to gather and have a special meal together, usually of pink bacon or roastchicken. When you think of St. Patrickʼs Day, you probably think of shamrocks, leprechauns, and the color green, as this holiday has many traditions and symbols. One of the most popular symbols is probably the shamrock. The shamrock became a big part of St. Patrickʼs Day because St. Patrick used a shamrock to explain the trinity to the Irish. Leprechauns are also a big part of this holiday. The word leprechaun comes from the Irish word “luchorpanʼʼ which means little body. Legend says that leprechauns are Irish fairies that are about two feet tall, look like old men, and are unfriendly. They also have a hidden pot of gold! Green became a St. Patrickʼs Day color because of Irelandʼs incredibly green landscape. Wearing green on this holiday is said to bring good luck. Years ago, Irish children started pinching anyone who forgot to wear green. This is still a tradition today(so remember to wear green!). Last of all, St. Patrick took a powerful Irish symbol, the sun, and put it on the Christian cross to combine Irelandʼs old faith and new faith to make Christianity seem more natural to them.

Have a fun and wonderful St. Patrickʼs Day!