How St. Patrick's Day Came Around

 The person who was to become St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. He was born in Wales about 385 AD. His given name was Maewyn. He almost did not get the job of bishop of Ireland because he lacked the required scholarship.

He was far from being saved until he was 16 yrs old. He considered himself as a pagan. at that age he was sold to slavery. By a group called Irish marauders. during his captivity he became closer to God. He then later escaped from slavery after 6 years. He then went to Gaul to study in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxere for about 12 years. During the training he became aware that his calling was to convert the pagans to  Christianity. His wish was to return to Ireland and do so. But his superiors instead appointed St. Palladius. Ten years later Palladius transferred to Scotland. Patrick was then appointed as second bishop to Ireland. Patrick was successful at wining convents. He traveled throughout Ireland. Trying to establish monasteries across the country. he also set up schools and churches. Which aided him in his conversion of the Irish country to Christianity. His mission in Ireland lasted 39 years. After Patrick retired to Country Down. He then died March 17 in 461 AD. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever seen

Our traditional icon for this day is a shamrock.This stems from a more bona fide. An Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He also used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day. The custom of St. Patrick's Day came to America in 1737. That was the first year it was publicly celebrated in Boston, Massachusetts.

Today people celebrated with parades, wearing green and drinking beer. One reason why St. Patrick's Day might have become popular. It takes place a few days before the first day of Spring. One might say it's has become the first green of spring