Religious News: March 17^th 2022

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Known as the Patron Saint of Ireland and the Apostle of Ireland, St. Patrick was instrumental in bringing the Roman Catholic beliefs to Ireland and in subsequent years, Saint Patrick's Day became a day to commemorate Catholicism in Ireland.

Who was St. Patrick?

He was born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but returned about 432 CE to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17th, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools.   Many legends grew up around him, for example, that he was responsible for getting rid of all the snakes in Ireland. 

Ireland came to celebrate his day with religious services and feasts and this continues on today.  There is much celebrating in Ireland and around the world.

How did the Shamrock become associated with St. Patrick?

St. Patrick was a Christian missionary who used a clover to explain the Holy Trinity of Christianity, which is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. He said the three leaves stand for the three beings of God, and the stem shows how they are united into one.

Kind Regards

Sue Benc