Who was St. Patrick? Was he a leprechaun, a man, or the name of a four leaf clover? Looking around any marketplace today you might be tempted to answer a Leprechaun. With so much of this holiday being taken over by the materialistic business world you soon forget that this day in history is a day of honour for a well beloved man.

Who is St. Patrick and Why do we honour him?

St. Patrick is Americas most well known saint at least he was just 50 years ago. He is well known in Catholic churches as the patron saint of Ireland. When he was a young man of about 16 years he was taken captive by Irish Raiders. He was made to watch sheep in a field by himself. This led to him spending a great deal of time fellowshipping with his God.

After about six years he escaped back to his home town in Britain. Soon however Patrick received a revelation from God to return back to Ireland to minister to the very people who held him prisoner. It is said that Patrick was the one who rid Ireland of it's snakes. Although no facts can prove this to be so it is said that when Patrick arrived in Ireland the second time of his own free will he was able to banish the infestation of snakes that was believe to dominate Ireland at the time.

Why the holiday?

St. Patricks Day is held on the 17th of March in honour of his Death. It is traditionally celebrated by attending church and then partying in the afternoon with the bacon and cabbage being the meal of tradition. Up until the mid 1970's this was an Irish National Holiday where even the Pubs were closed in observance of this Saint.

Today however St. Patricks Day is yet another day to celebrate life in the present, the past, and the present. It is a day of celebration in

parades, in parties (drinking irish beer), and in wearing the green to let all those around you know that you are Irish and proud of it!

Tips for Celebrating St. Patricks Day with your Children:

1. Find a Three leaf Clover and explain how St. Patrick used it to minister to the Irish natives.

2. Visit www.saintpatricksdayparade.com/NYC/newyorkcity.htm Saint Particks Day Parade for more information on the first and longest Parade in American history to celebrate this day in history.

3. Make a Blarney stone just like the one in Ireland at Enchanted Learning. www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/stpatrick/blarneystone/

4. Make some gold coins as a St. patricks day treat. A delicious and original recipe from homeschoolzone. www.homeschoolzone.com/cook/goldcoins.htm

5. Print some St. Patricks Day theme paper from Storyit www.storyit.com/Seasonal/stpat.htm and write a letter to St. Patrick

For a fun and simple game to play with your children play Pinch me. This is a safe online version so no tushies get harmed. Visit www.storyit.com/Seasonal/stpat.htm and pinch everyone not wearing green. If you accidentally pinch someone wearing green you lose a point. Have fun!

 Previous      Next