Saint Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland

Saint Patrick, who was to become the patron saint of Ireland, was born to wealthy parents around the year 385 AD. Although there is some controversy over the exact place of his birth it is said that he was born in either Scotland or Roman England. His given name at birth was Maewyn Succat; his Romanicized name was Patricius, which later came to be known as Patrick. He died on March 17 in 461 AD. This day has been commemorated as Saint Patrick's Day ever since.

Though he was not born Irish he became an essential part of Irish heritage, mainly through his service across Ireland in the fifth century. His service in Ireland lasted for thirty years. He considered himself to be a pagan until the age of sixteen, when he was taken prisoner, and sold into slavery, by a group of Irish raiders that invaded his village. He spent six years in captivity near Killala in County Mayo where he worked as a shepherd. Much of his work was outdoors and in an environment that was solitary. He became lonely and fearful and turned to religion for comfort. It is said that during this time he developed an awareness for spirituality and grew closer to God, becoming a devout Christian. After six years of imprisonment he escaped from slavery and went to Gaul to study in a monastery. Two years later he was appointed the second bishop to Ireland as Saint Patrick, the Christian name he had adopted earlier. He traveled all through Ireland for twenty years setting up schools and churches, and establishing monasteries across the country. Saint Patrick documented his missionary work in a spiritual autobiography called The Confessio.

There are many legends surrounding Saint Patrick's Day. One of the most famous legends about Saint Patrick states that he gave a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the venomous snakes out of Ireland and into the sea where they drowned. Another legend reveals that he used the three-leafed shamrock to describe the concept of the Holy Trinity. He explained that the three leafs represented the Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. The shamrock became an icon of great significance and is worn on Saint Patrick's Day.

The customs of Saint Patrick's Day came to America in 1737 and this was the first year that the day was celebrated publicly in the United States. Today, celebrations include the wearing of the color green, parades, and drinking beer.