Happy Saint Patrick’s Day

To quote Adrienne Cook, “St. Patrick’s Day is an enchanted time – a day to begin transforming winter’s dreams into summer’s magic.” Saint Patrick’s Day (Lá Fhéile Pádraig in Irish) is an annual holiday named after St. Patrick, celebrated on March 17. The day that honours Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, began as a Christian holiday. In early 1600s, it was officially recognized as a feast day, marking the death date of the saint. Gradually, Saint Patrick’s Day has grown to become a secular celebration observed by Irish people across the world.

Who is Saint Patrick? Saint Patrick Facts

Who was Saint Patrick? Saint Patrick, born in 387 AD, was called Succat by his father, a civil servant and the deacon of the local church. Patrick was abducted by pirates who enslaved him and brought him to Ireland. After working as a sheep herder for six years, he ran back to his home and became a priest. However, he started getting visions to return to Ireland, where he later converted the pagan Irish community to Christianity.

The legend of Saint Patrick also has the credit of freeing the island of Ireland from poisonous snakes (may be just about the serpent symbolism of the beliefs of the day), as guided by Jesus himself. He is believed to have used the three-leaved plant, shamrock, to communicate the concept of Holy Trinity to the Sun-worshipping Irish people. Saint Patrick is also the patron saint of Nigeria.

Saint Patrick Quotes

• Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.
• The Lord opened the understanding of my unbelieving heart, so that I should recall my sins.
• If I be worthy, I live for my God to teach the heathen, even though they may despise me.
• I am Patrick, a sinner, most uncultivated and least of all the faithful and despised in the eyes of many.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!