History Of St. Patrick’s Day Essay, Research Paper

St. Patrick of Ireland is probably one of the world’s most popular saints.

Amongst others such as St. Nicolas and St. Valentine, the entire world shares

our love of these saints. This is also a day when everyone is Irish! There

are many stories or legends may as you call them but this is his true story.

Patrick was born somewhere around 385 in Kilpatrick, Scotland. His parents

were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britain in charge of

the colonies. As a young teenager, Patrick was captured in a raiding party

and taken into Ireland as a slave to heard and tend sheep. Ireland at this

time was a land of Druids and pagans. He decided to learn the language of the

people who was holding him captive. His enslavement lasted until he was

around 20 years old when he escaped after having a dream from God who had

told him to go to the coast and it was time for him to leave Ireland. There

at the coast he found some sailors who took him back to Britain where he

reunited with his family.

He began studying to become a priest and was ordained by St. Germanus,

who was the bishop of Auxerre whom Patrick had studied under for many years.

Later Patrick was ordained a bishop and went back to Ireland to preach the

Gospel to the people of Ireland. He arrived in Ireland march 25, 433 where

he met a chieftain of one of the tribes. The chief tired to kill Patrick, but

he somehow managed to grab hold of the chief’s arm and hold it tightly and

wouldn’t let it go until he promised that he would be nice to him. He began

preaching throughout Ireland and converting many people. He and his disciples

preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the

country. Kings, and their families and entire kingdoms were converted to

Christianity when hearing the gospel as Patrick told them about it. Patrick

continued to preach for over 40 years. He continued to work many miracles and

wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After living years in poverty,

traveling and enduring much suffering he died at Saul Ireland on March 17,

461.

St. Patrick’s day is celebrated on March 17; his religious day of

celebration marks the death in the fifth century. The First St. Patrick’s day

parade, took place not in Ireland but in the United States. Irish soldiers

serving in the English military marched through New York City on March 17th

1762. Along with their music the parade helped the soldiers to reconnect

with their Irish as well as fellow Irishmen serving in the army. Basically,

everyone in the world celebrates this day. It is the day of remembering a

great saint who preached the gospel and was willing to die if he was supposed

too because it was something he believed in. You don’t have to be Irish to

participate in this day of celebration all you need to do is gather with

friends and family and kick back and have a good time, remembering where your

own families roots come from.