| The tradition of St. Patrick's Day began | | | | Bishop in a monastery in France, after |
| hundreds of years ago when a boy in | | | | he escaped his captivity. He was not |
| Roman England was captured and taken to | | | | religious at all when he was a child. |
| Ireland as a captive where he found God. | | | | - The first St. Paddy's day parade in |
| It is said that St. Patrick could hear | | | | America was in 1737, 40 years before the |
| from the angels, and that he had raised | | | | Revolutionary War. |
| people from the dead. He was a very | | | | - The first day of spring is March 21st |
| active missionary throughout Ireland for | | | | and this could be the reason St. |
| 30 years, and that is why he is called | | | | Patrick's Day celebrations have caught |
| the patron saint of Ireland. There have | | | | on so big. |
| been many legends attached to this | | | | - Everyone turns Irish for a day - just |
| saint, and they have lasted throughout | | | | wear green, the sign of life. |
| the centuries. This holiday began as a | | | | - Irish dishes include Corned beef and |
| Holy Day in the Catholic Church, but | | | | cabbage, Irish stew, Irish cream pie, |
| over the years this religious Catholic | | | | Irish soda bread, scones, Irish cheese |
| saint's day has turned into a more | | | | bread, and all of these would be a good |
| secular celebration of the upcoming new | | | | choice on St. Patrick's Day. |
| spring. | | | | There are many traditions and legends |
| Here are a few facts for St. Patrick's | | | | that have been passed down through the |
| Day: | | | | generations, so even the barest of facts |
| - March 17th, the day of celebration, is | | | | have gotten confused. It is not even |
| the day of Patrick's death. | | | | certain exactly when Patrick was born, |
| - St. Patrick, the patron saint of the | | | | the actual date varies about 30 years in |
| Irish, was not from Ireland. | | | | early 300 AD but the day of his death is |
| - Patrick was an old time missionary in | | | | certain, March 17, and that is the |
| Ireland during the 4th century. | | | | important day. |
| - He brought many people to conversion | | | | So whether you are celebrating the life |
| and into the Christian religion. | | | | of a glorified Catholic saint or the |
| - The Shamrock, symbol of St. Patrick's | | | | oncoming spring and all the new growth |
| Day, was a plant with three leaves that | | | | and new life possibilities that a new |
| Patrick used to demonstrate to the | | | | life can encompass, it really doesn't |
| pagans the trinity of God - Father, Son | | | | matter. Wear something Green, grab a |
| and Holy Ghost. | | | | green hat, give someone a shamrock and |
| - Maewyn is the name St. Patrick was | | | | join in the parade. Good luck and |
| born with. His name was changed by the | | | | Blessings are meant for all! |