Each year on March 17th, we remember the great Catholic Saint, Saint Patrick. The popularity of the holiday means that Saint Patrick’s feast day is known and celebrated throughout the United States, but it also means that the amazing true story often gets missed in a swirl of gold coins and leprechauns.
Saint Patrick’s life was extraordinary in its own right. Let’s ensure our kids know his story.
Who was Saint Patrick?
Saint Patrick was born in what is now England in the year 387. When he was 14 years old, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates who took him back to Ireland and enslaved him. He worked for his owners tending their sheep. During this time of suffering, he leaned on God and prayed frequently. He once said “in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same. I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn.”
After six years of slavery, an angel appeared to Patrick in a dream and told him to leave and return home. Patrick did as the angel asked, walked about 200 miles, and boarded a ship for home.
Patrick began studying for the priesthood and eventually became a bishop. But by then, Patrick had another message from God asking him to return to Ireland to teach the people about Him. He then obediently returned to Ireland and began teaching about God. After many years in Ireland growing the faith and building churches, Patrick died on March 17, 461.
Here are three ways that you can easily celebrate this great saint with your kids.
Miracles are Better than Magic
Diving into the legends of leprechauns and learning about their magical abilities can be fun, but miracles are better than magic. Miracles are real. On Saint Patrick’s Day, teach your kids about one of the many miracles of this great saint. You’ll have a lot to choose from as Saint Patrick is said to have performed many miracles in Ireland in the name of God. Witnesses reported multiple healings and even resurrection miracles. One time, an Irish druid raised his sword toward Saint Patrick, but his arm froze in place, and he could not injure him. Many more miracles were reported after the death of Saint Patrick by those who sought his intercession.
Hunt for Shamrocks
Saint Patrick used the 3 leaves of the shamrock to teach the people of Ireland about the Trinity. Just like God is Three Persons in One, the shamrock has three leaves but is still one shamrock.
Head out to the backyard or the park and search for shamrocks (or clover, which is similar and much more abundant), or buy a shamrock plant. Then, use the plant just as Saint Patrick did, to teach your kids about the Trinity.
Pray like Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick is well-known for the prayer that today is named after him: Saint Patrick’s Breastplate- A Prayer for Protection.
It is a long prayer, but the section that is most known and prayed is the following:
Christ 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 when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Include this prayer in your Saint Patrick’s Day celebration each year. And for musically minded families, it has also been turned into a popular hymn, so you might want to sing it together as well.
Extra Saint Patrick’s Day Activities from Brother Francis
Watch the Story of St. Patrick
Prayer of St. Patrick Printable
This St. Patrick’s Day, be sure to celebrate it the Catholic way by learning about the life of St. Patrick, teaching your kids about the Trinity and the difference between real miracles and fake magic, and participating in fun activities like coloring and searching for shamrocks!
Colleen Pressprich is a homeschooling mom of five and the author of Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children, The Women Doctors of the Church, and The Jesse Tree For Families. You can learn more about her, order her books, and read more of her writing at elevatortoheaven.com.
