10 Facts You Might Not Know About St. Patrick's Day

The tradition of St. Patrick's Day began hundreds ofFrance, after he escaped his captivity. He was not
years ago when a boy in Roman England wasreligious 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 from1737, 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 throughoutthe reason St. Patrick's Day celebrations have caught
Ireland for 30 years, and that is why he is called theon 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 throughoutsign 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 religiousstew, Irish cream pie, Irish soda bread, scones, Irish
Catholic saint's day has turned into a more secularcheese 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 ofpassed 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 fromcertain 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 duringhis death is certain, March 17, and that is the important
the 4th century.day.
- He brought many people to conversion and into theSo 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 agrowth and new life possibilities that a new life can
plant with three leaves that Patrick used toencompass, 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. Hismeant for all!
name was changed by the Bishop in a monastery in