The man who became a Saint

March 17 is a holiday where many cultural and religious people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Some of us celebrate it for the death of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. National Geographic magazine (https://rb.gy/fn2vbr) tells us that, “according to legend, the patron saint of Ireland chased the slithering reptiles into the sea after they began attacking him during a 40-day fast he undertook on top of a hill.”

Originally born in Britain, the man who became St. Patrick was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken into slavery in Ireland. By the time of his death he had established churches, schools, and monasteries in his new country.

St Patrick’s Day uses a symbol which is a shamrock, which ties into the color that is associated with the holiday. The reason we wear green is because it represents leprechauns. The tradition is tied to folklore that says wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns, which like to pinch anyone they can see.

On St. Patrick’s Day, people eat Irish-inspired foods such as corned beef and cabbage, and Irish Soda bread. While the holiday started in Ireland, it is celebrated in America every year.