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St. Patrick's Day

     The person who was to become St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Wales about AD 380. His given name was Maewyn, he almost didn't get the job of bishop of Ireland because he lacked the required scholarship.

     Way Far from being a saint, until he was about 16, he considered himself a pagan. At that age, he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders that raided his village. During his captivity time , he became closer to God. He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre for a period of twelve years. During his studies he had became aware that his calling was to convert the pagans to Christianity.

     His wish was to return to Ireland, to convert the native pagans to Christianity. But his superiors instead appointed St. Palladius. But two years later, Palladius transferred to Scotland. Patrick, having adopted that Christian name earlier, was then appointed as second bishop to Ireland.

     Patrick was quite successful at winning converts. And this fact upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion of the Irish country to Christianity.

     His mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. After that time, Patrick retired in County Down. He passed on March the 17th in AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since.

The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737. That was the first year St. Patrick's Day was publicly celebrated in this country, in Boston. Today, people celebrate the day with parades, wearing of the green, and drinking beer. One reason St. Patrick's Day might have become so popular is that it takes place just a few days before the first day of spring. One might say it has become the first green of spring.
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