17th of March Saint Patrick's day

Saint Patrick was a man who went to Ireland in 432 A.D. to spread the Christian faith.

 He became a Bishop and the patron saint of Ireland. Legend has it that Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland, but scientists believe that Ireland was always free from snakes. Some people believe that Patrick’s “snakes” were the pagan beliefs he wanted to replace with Christianity.

This holiday, which is celebrated wherever people from Ireland have settled, is associated with several popular symbols. Shamrocks became symbols of this holiday because Saint Patrick used their leaves, which are divided into three parts, to explain the doctrine of the Trinity. Leprechauns are the “little people” of Ireland. They are like fairies or gnomes in other countries but smarter and more mischievous. They also own pots of gold that can be taken from them by really clever and lucky mortals. The color green goes with Saint Patrick’s Day, too. Green is Ireland’s color and people speak of “the wearin’ of the green” because this was forbidden by English law for many years. (Maybe you have forgotten to wear green on Saint Patrick’s Day and were pinched by a friend!)

Saint Patrick’s Day, which is still an important religious holiday in Ireland, is celebrated publicly in the United States with parades. This is largely because the U.S. is home to millions of people who were either born in Ireland or are the descendants of those born there. The biggest parade is in New York City, and it has been held since 1762. It is celebrated privately with special foods, cards, parties, and all kinds of merry-making.

The story of St Patrick's Day
Began so long ago
The lyrics in this song
Will tell you
All you need to know
The seventeenth of March
Is when this joyous holiday
Is celebrated happily
With colorful parades

Dee Lai Dee Dai Dee
Dai Dee Dai Dee
Lai Dee Dai Dee Dai
Hummm...Hummm...

Patrick was only sixteen when
The pirates captured him
They sold him to slavery
And took him to Ireland

He kept the faith
And made his escape
When he was twenty-two
And made it back to Britain
was the only home he knew

Patrick had a vision
To return to Ireland
And vowed to teach Christianity
Until the bitter end
Legend says that Patrick used
The shamrock to explain
That the Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Are all and one the same

On this day the Irish dress
In many shades of green
And some are feeling lucky
With the leprechauns they've seen
It's music and fun for everyone
We'll party and we'll play
Come one, come all
Come join along
On this St. Patrick's Day!

ACTIVITIES

Color the Leprechaum     
                                                                                         To make craft

                                                                            more crafts