CELEBRATING ST. PATRICK’S DAY!

St. Patrick’s Day celebrates the life of Saint Patrick—the patron saint of Ireland. This influential missionary has been credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day takes place on March 17 each year because St. Patrick’s death is believed to have been on March 17, 461. The Church began observing a special feast to honor him on this day starting in 1631. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage. Sláinte!

Question: What’s another name for St. Patrick’s Day?
Answer: The Feast of Saint Patrick.

Question: Where was Saint Patrick actually born?
Answer: Roman Britain (What is now either England, Scotland or Wales).

Question: What color was originally associated with St. Patrick?
Answer: Blue. It wasn’t until 1798 (the year of the Irish Rebellion), it changed

Question: How many pounds of green vegetable dye are now used to turn the Chicago River green?
Answer: 40 pounds.

Question: What do some historians believe was St. Patrick’s real name?
Answer: Maewyn Succat.

Question: According to legend, what happened during one of St. Patrick’s sermons on the Irish hillside?
Answer: Legend has it that while he was speaking, all of the snakes were driven out into the sea.

Question: According to legend, what did St. Patrick use to describe the Holy Trinity?
Answer: The shamrock.