Saint Patrick's Day
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Reading 1
About St. Patrick St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and the Irish. He was born about 389 A.D. Saint Patrick had an adventurous life. He was captured by pirates at the age of 16 and was made a slave. When he got free, he brought Christianity to Ireland The shamrock He used the shamrock, a 3 leaf clover, (Ireland's national flower) to explain the Blessed Trinity. Saint Patrick told the people that the shamrock was like the idea of the Trinity, that in the one God there are three divine beings: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Saint Patrick and the Snakes One tale about Patrick is that he drove the snakes from Ireland. Different versions of the story, tell of him standing upon a hill, using a wooden staff to drive the serpents into the sea, banishing them forever from Ireland. Ireland has no snakes. Saint Patrick’s day According to some Irish writings, St. Patrick died on March 17, 461 A.D. The anniversary of his death is celebrated as St. Patrick's Day. It's interesting to note that the shamrock clover flowers around that time of year. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated each year on March 17th by the Irish as well as by many Americans with parades, parties, Irish songs and jigs. People wear green on this day to represent the lushness of Ireland - The Emerald Isle. THE END |