St. Patrick's Day Parade

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17 to honor Patrick, Ireland's patron saint.

Almost 1500 years ago the patron saint and national hero of Ireland was born to a Gaelic family who had migrated to Britain. The child was called Succat, which means "warlike". Since Britain was part of the Roman Empire and had become Christian, the child was baptized and called Patricius, meaning "noble". For 16 years, Patrick lived a normal life as the son of a prosperous landowner and magistrate.

Captured and forced into slavery, Patrick spent 6 years herding sheep. What is known is that he escaped. What is also known, is that after a period of time, Patrick returned to Ireland to do missionary work.

On his return to Ireland, Patrick was a missionary who worked for 40 years in Ireland, preaching, baptizing, and establishing churches, schools, and colleges. History reports that he used shamrock leaves to explain the meaning of the Trinity. It is also stated that he drove snakes from Ireland, banishing the venomous serpents by beating his drum. It is sometimes reported that St. Patrick died on March 17, 493 after bringing the Christian faith to Ireland. This date is not confirmed.

I take for my sureties:
The power of God to guide me,
The might of God to uphold me,
The wisdom of God to teach me,
The eye of God to watch over me,
The ear of God to hear me,
The word of God to give me speech,
The hand of God to protect me,
The way of God to go before me,
The shield of God to shelter me....

Christ be with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.