Green, gold, shamrocks and luck are what everyone sees all day long on March 17 every year, all thanks to Saint Patrick, a patron saint and the national apostle of Ireland.

Patrick was known for bringing Christianity to Ireland. He described himself as a “most humble-minded man, pouring forth a continuous paean of thanks to his maker for having chosen him as the instrument whereby multitudes who had worshiped idols and unclean things had become the people of God.” According to www.st-patricks-day.com, there is a myth that Patrick is best known for driving the snakes from Ireland.

Shamrocks are related to Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day because Patrick used a shamrock to explain God. According to www.dltk-holidays.com, Saint Patrick believed the shamrock was like the idea of the Trinity – that in the one God, there are three divine beings: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

So, what is the purpose of St. Patrick’s Day? St. Patrick’s Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal and a day to offer prayers for missionaries world wide. Why is it celebrated on March 17? Well, Saint Patrick died on March 17, 470 A.D. There are many theories concerning the day of his death; some state he died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, and some say Glastonbury, England. Since his death, many Catholic places of worship are named after Patrick.

There are several celebrations done each year for this holiday. It started in Ireland but to this day, countries all over the world celebrate this holiday. People all over dress in green and gold with shamrocks, hats or socks. There are parades all over. For adults, it is drinking Irish beer and Irish whiskey. There is also attending c ilithe which is a traditional Gaelic social gathering which usually involves playing Gaelic folk music and dancing.

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