The real meaning of St Patrick’s Day

FOR most people St Patrick’s Day is a day of parades, parties, leprechauns and green beer. But just as Christmas is about more than commercialised fun, so too does St Patrick’s Day have a deeper meaning.

St Patrick’s Day began as a religious holiday honouring St Patrick — a holy bishop sent to Ireland in 433 AD by Pope Celestine I to draw its people into the fold of Christ’s universal church. Upon his arrival at Ireland’s shores, St Patrick encountered many setbacks and persecutions by the superstitious Druids who had employed magicians to maintain their sway over the Irish race. Despite severe trials, St Patrick was able to convert all of Ireland and conquer paganism.

St Patrick is credited with many miracles and is responsible for the building of several Catholic schools, monasteries and churches throughout Ireland. He is known for his powerful expositions of the principles of the Catholic faith. He even employed the ordinary, little, three-leaved shamrock plant to teach people about the blessed Trinity.