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