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Saint Patrick

Saint Patrick: Feast Day March 17th

It's safe to say that most people have heard of Saint Patrick, whether it’s because there is a huge festival in Ireland, the Windy City turning the Chicago River green, or being told to wear green so that you don't get pinched. Have you ever paused to wonder, however, who Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, was as a person? 

As a young boy, the future Saint Patrick lived in Britain, was taken prisoner by Irishmen, and was held as a slave in Ireland for years. Once he was able to finally escape back to Britain, Patrick felt called to the priesthood, and eventually became a bishop. As a bishop, Patrick ventured back to pagan Ireland bringing Christianity to its shores, establishing numerous churches, and using the shamrock to teach the Irish about the Holy Trinity ☘️

So, as you and your family celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day today, think about the faith, trust, bravery, and forgiveness Saint Patrick exhibited as he went back to the land where he’d been a slave, so that the Irish people could become part of the Body of Christ. 

Celebrating with a Craft and Book:

Since Saint Patrick used a shamrock to teach the Irish about the Holy Trinity, use this template  that I created to make a Celtic Cross with a shamrock inside. On each leaf of the shamrock write: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 



My kids love reading about Saint Patrick. We bought this great book a few years ago at a library book sale, and enjoy reading it each year. It has great biographical information about Saint Patrick and nice illustrations.

Celebrating Through Food:

Nothing says Ireland like corned-beef and cabbage! When Saint Patrick’s feast day is not on a Friday during Lent, make this savory and delicious meal. My family boils our corned-beef in the seasoning it is packaged with, and then roasts it in the oven to finish it. We serve it with oven roasted green cabbage and red or Yukon Gold potatoes. We then make a sour cream and horseradish dipping sauce (mix horseradish amount to taste). For dessert, you can make sugar cookies mixed with green food coloring and green sprinkles for a festive and yummy treat.



When Saint Patrick’s feast day falls on a Friday during Lent, make Irish Oatmeal for breakfast instead of  corned-beef. McAnn’s has a variety of ways you can make traditional Irish Oatmeal using steel-cut oats. Serving your oatmeal with a couple splashes of cream on top really makes it delicious!

Celebrating with Prayer:

Say the prayer, “Saint Patrick’s Breastplate,” with your family. The prayer is believed to be written by Saint Patrick. The version below, is from the back of the Saint Patrick Breastplate Holy Card.

I arise today through 
God's strength to pilot me
God's might to uphold me
God's wisdom to guide me
God's eye to see before me
God's ear to hear me
God's word to speak for me
God's hand to guard me.
God's way to lie before me
God's shield to protect me
God's host to secure me—
against snares of devils,
against temptations and vices,
against inclinations of nature,
against everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and anear,
alone and in a crowd...
Christ be with me
Christ before me
Christ behind me
Christ in me
Christ beneath me
Christ above me
Christ on my right
Christ on my left
Christ where I lie
Christ where I sit
Christ where I arise
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me
Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me
Salvation is of the Lord
Salvation is of the Lord
Salvation is of the Christ
May your salvation, or Lord, be ever with us.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! May you and your family have a blessed day celebrating!

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