El Prat, My Place in the World

Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated each year on March 17^th. In Ireland, Saint Patrick's Day is both a holy day and a national holiday.  Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland as he was the one who brought Christianity to the Irish.                               

According to the legend, Saint Patrick used a shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. The shamrock, which looks like a clover, has three leaves on one stem.  Saint Patrick told the people that the shamrock was like the idea of the Holy Trinity, that in the one God there are three divine beings: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.                                                                                        

                                                     

Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated in countries around the world. People with Irish heritage remind themselves of the beautiful green countryside of Ireland by wearing green and taking part in the festivities. Saint Patrick's Day is usually celebrated with a parade.  

     

Saint Patrick and the Snakes

Another legend from St.Patrick is that he drove the snakes from Ireland. Although is true that Ireland has no snakes, this likely had more to do with the fact that Ireland is an island and being separated from the rest of the continent the snakes couldn’t get there. The stories of St. Patrick and the snakes are likely a metaphor for his bringing Christianity to Ireland and driving out evil.