Today is St. Patrick’s Day

So exactly who is St. Patrick?

Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was actually born in Wales. His name was Maewyn, and he almost didn’t get the job as bishop of Ireland because he was uneducated. In fact, far from being a saint, Patrick grew up a pagan. At age 16, he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish bandits who had raided his village. During his captivity Patrick became closer to God. Patrick wrote, “and the faith grew in me, and the spirit was roused, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers, and in the night nearly the same.”

After six years, Patrick escaped and went to Gaul where he studied in a monastery. During that time, the young man realized that his calling was to convert pagans to Christianity. Patrick’s first wish was to return to Ireland and convert the pagans there. But his superiors sent another man first. Patrick was appointed as the second bishop to Ireland.

Patrick devoted his life to serving Christians already living in Ireland and to converting the pagans. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries and opening schools and churches. By the time of his death, nearly the entire country of Ireland had become Christians. Patrick died on March 17^th in 461—the day that has been commemorated as St. Patrick’s Day ever since.

While most Americans celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with shamrocks and wearing green, the real intent of the day was to pray for missionaries around the world. So if you want to wear green today, go ahead. But be sure to take time to thank God for the many men and women who have devoted their lives to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Then he told me, “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. You are to take his message everywhere, telling the whole world what you have seen and heard” (Acts 22:14, 15).

To Do

Share with someone today the real meaning of St. Patrick’s Day.

Also on this day . . .

1756—St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated for the first time at the Crown and Thistle Tavern in New York City.

1845—The rubber band was invented.

1941—The National Gallery of Art was officially opened by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Washington, DC.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.