A Short History Of St. Patrick and His Irish Holiday

The history of St. Patrick's Day, which started outhim back to Ireland.
as a Holy Day for the Irish Catholics in the 10thAfter spending 12 years in the study of theology
or 11th century, goes all the way back to the lateand Catholic Laws, he departed and went to
3rd century when a small boy was born in RomanIreland to preach to a heathen nation. He spent 30
England by the name of Maewyn.years in evangelistic and missionary work across
Maewyn and his family lived in a small town wherethe land. He won many converts over, healed
his father was a soldier in the army, and apeople, and it was even said that he raised some
member of the town government. Somepeople from the dead. Everywhere he went he
accounts say that Maewyn was an agnostic andannounced God, and he built many schools and
some say that his family was Christian, butchurches to help promote the Catholic religion.
weren't very strong in their faith. Either way, itLegend has it that angels followed him
doesn't really matter because it was whateverywhere, and even told him where and how
happened later in his life that gained him histo go.
notoriety.After 30 years of missionary work, he died on
When Maewyn was only 16, there was a raid onMarch 17th. This is the day that has gone down in
his village from Ireland, in the Irish Sea. Theyhistory as St. Patrick's Day, for the patron saint
captured Maewyn and many of the villagers, andof Ireland.
took them back to Ireland as servants and slavesSt. Patrick's Day today has grown into much
for the local Irish.more than just a Holy Day for Catholics. Strict
It was here in captivity that it is reported thatCatholics around the world though do remember
Maewyn accepted God, and began to talk to him.St. Patrick, usually in an early Mass on March 17th.
In fact, legend has it that he often spoke to GodBut everyone joins in as a celebration of St.
in prayer up to one hundred times a day. AndPatrick's Day and becomes Irish for the day. It
Maewyn was under the authority of a Celtichas now become a celebration of spring with
family, so he learned the Celtic language and howparades special Irish meals, green tinted drinks and
to speak it fluently. Six years later, when he wasbeer, etc. "The wearing of the green" and the
22, Maewyn escaped from his servitude, and ranLeprechaun have come about over the years to
to France. There he joined a monastery andbe Good Luck and prosperity to all and everything
under the direction of the Bishop of France, hegreen typically represents the turning to spring -
studied the Bible. It was this Bishop who gave himgreen is the color of life.
the name Patrick. Legend has it that while PatrickSo, with one day to be Irish, take advantage, and
was here in the monastery, he heard angels callinghave a wonderful St. Patrick's Day.