The
story of St. Patrick
Patrick, as a young lad of sixteen years was captured by
an Irish band of raiders and taken with many others to slavery
in Ireland. He was first brought to Mayo, but later sold to
an Antrim farmer and he spent six years in captivity as a
shepherd on Slemish Mountain. |
| One Cold Winter's night while Patrick slept
he heard a voice telling him "it is well that you fast, soon
you will go to your own country" and a short time later the
voice said to him "Look your ship is ready".
The spirit guided Patrick to the south of Ireland near Wicklow
where he boarded a ship with a cargo of dogs bound for Gaul.
At this time an invasion of Gaul had left much of it desolate.
Patrick and the crew of the boat wandered for 28 days until
all food had run out. Patrick said "turn to God and he will
provide" and suddenly a herd of pigs appeared and they had
food once more. Patrick had performed his first miracle. |
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| For a number of years Patrick wandered through
Gaul. Conscious of his lack of formal training in theology
and law he spent his time talking to and learning from the
wise deacons and Bishops and soon he himself was made a bishop
in Rome.
He was lonely in Gaul so he went to visit his relations in
Britain. While he was there he had another vision in which
a man arrived from Ireland with many letters and one was for
himself. The letter said "We ask you boy to come and walk
once more among us". Patrick was delighted and went immediately.
The people of Ireland at this time were pagens under the
influence of the Druids and they worshipped idols. Patrick had first to rid the country of these "magicans"
and this is symbolised by the banishing of snakes forever
from Ireland.
He now set about converting the people to Christianity. His
deep faith and belief in the Blessed Trinity made this doctrine
a centre piece of his instruction. To help explain the mystery
he used the simple three leaf shamrock to illustrate three
persons in the one God.
St. Patrick died in 461. By this time he had created an established
structured church throughout the country. His converts were
across the entire social classes from Princes to slaves and
many of his priests and deacons were from the youth of Ireland.
He is still to this day the most famous figure in Irish History
and is one of the best known figures throughout the Christian
world.
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St. Patricks Day
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious
feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century.
The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for
since his death.
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The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place
not in Ireland, but in the United States. Irish soldiers serving
in the English military marched through New York City on March
17, 1762. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers
to reconnect with their Irish roots.
In 1948, President Truman attended New York City 's St. Patrick's
Day parade, a proud moment for the many Irish whose ancestors
had to fight stereotypes and racial prejudice to find acceptance
in America. |
Today, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by people
of all backgrounds in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Although North America is home to the largest productions,
St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated in other locations far
from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore, and Russia.
Tipperary Stocks a Great Selection of St. Patrick Related items.
Books, Educational Video, Statues and More
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Links to other St. Patrick
related sites
Welcome
to Donna's Saint Patrick's Day Place!
Humorous and Traditional Irish Blessing. Saint Patrick and
the Shamrock.
Saint Patrick's
Day Parade
Parade Central - Where the Irish meet on the Internet for
Parade information.
Holidayhould
Ireland
Information on Saint Patrick's day festivities.
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