Saint Patrick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Patrick |
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Stained-glass window of St. Patrick from Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Junction City, Ohio
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| Born | Roman Britain |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Anglican Communion Lutheran Churches |
| Major shrine | Armagh, Northern Ireland Glastonbury Abbey, England |
| Feast | March 17 (Saint Patrick's Day) |
| Patronage | Ireland, Nigeria, Montserrat, Archdiocese of New York, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, Boston, Rolla, Missouri, Loíza, Puerto Rico, Murcia (Spain), Clann Giolla Phádraig, engineers, paralegals, Archdiocese of Melbourne; chased away snakes, sins |
Contents
Life
Saint Patrick (about 402 - March 17, 491) is the patron saint of Ireland. He was born in a village in Roman Britain. Saint Patrick came from a Christian family. He was the son of Calpurnius, who was a deacon in the church. According to the autobiographical Confession of Patrick, when he was about sixteen years old, he was captured by Irish pirates. They took him from his home in Britain and sold him as a slave in Ireland. He lived there for six years and learned the local language. He explains that the Lord had mercy and allowed him to be forgiven his sins and convert to Christianity. While in captivity, Patrick worked as a shepherd and strengthened his relationship with God through prayer.
After six years of captivity, Patrick heard a voice telling him that he would soon go home and that his ship was ready. Fleeing his master, he traveled to a port two hundred miles away, where he found a ship and convinced the captain to take him. After the ship sailed for three days, they landed in what they thought was Britain and everyone left the ship. They walked for 28 days in a "wilderness" and became faint from hunger. After Patrick prayed for food, they saw a herd of wild boar. Since this was shortly after Patrick had urged his companions to put their faith in God, his reputation in the group was greatly increased. After many adventures, he returned home to his family when he was in his early twenties.
After becoming a cleric, he returned to northern and western Ireland as a missionary. Because he knew the language, he could preach to the people. He also married couples when the king did not allow it. He brought Christianity to Ireland and converted many pagans to Christianity. He also challenged many of their leaders and druids such as Aodhan the Brave, also known as Chief Aodhan. St. Patrick eventually led Chief Aodhan to Christ and they worked together to convert many other pagans.
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated every year on March 17 in his honor.
Saint Patrick's bell
There is a bell in the National Museum of Ireland that was made around the time of Saint Patrick's life. There is no evidence that Saint Patrick owned the bell, but the Irish believe that the bell belonged to Saint Patrick and that he rang it to let people know it was time for church. One of the kings of Ulster, who was the high king of Ireland at the time, had a beautiful cover made out of gold and gems to preserve the bell. The names of the bishops of Ireland were engraved on the cover. The style of the letters on the cover was used to make the first typewriters.
Saint Patrick and the snakes
There are no snakes in Ireland but there is a legend that at the time of Saint Patrick there were many snakes and he chased them all into the Irish Sea. Some say that this legend came to be because pagans had tattoos of snakes, and Saint Patrick got rid of the pagan religions by teaching Christianity and therefore drove out the snakes from Ireland.
Holy Trinity and the shamrock
St. Patrick is known for teaching the Irish about the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. He used a three-leafed shamrock to illustrate the three-in-one God. For this reason, shamrocks are a central symbol for St. Patrick’s Day.
Saint Patrick quotes
- “And He (God) watched over me before I knew Him and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil.”
- “I pray to God to give me perseverance and to deign that I be a faithful witness to Him to the end of my life for my God.”
- "For that sun, which we see rising every day, rises at His command."
- “Each and all shall render account for even our smallest sins before the judgement seat of Christ the Lord.”
- "If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God."
- "But I fear nothing, because of the promises of heaven."
- "Luck is when an opportunity comes along and you’ve prepared for it."
- "I have a Creator who knew all things, even before they were made - even me, his poor little child."
- "May the blessing of each day be the blessings you need most."
Interesting facts about Saint Patrick
- Saint Patrick's name at birth was Maewyn Succat.
- Patrick was born in Britain.
- He trained and studied for years before returning to Ireland as a missionary.
- Patrick means "nobleman."
- Patrick introduced the Celtic cross, which included the sun. This helped the Irish adopt it as a national symbol of Ireland.
- Saint Patrick's Day did not become a major celebration until the 1970s.
Images for kids
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Late Roman Britain
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Patrick banishing the snakes
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Saint Patrick sent to Ireland by the Pope; wall mosaic in St Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny
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St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, as seen from Rockefeller Center
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Patrick showing cross pattée on his robes
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Traditional Saint Patrick's Day badges from the early twentieth century, from the Museum of Country Life, Castlebar
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Logo of Down District Council showing the cross pattée
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Slemish, County Antrim, traditionally associated with Saint Patrick's time as a shepherd slave
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Saint Patrick's statue at Saul, County Down
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Saint Patrick's Oratory at the top of Croagh Patrick, County Mayo
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Stone found below St. Patrick's Well. St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland
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See also
In Spanish: Patricio de Irlanda para niños
