St Patricks Day

St Patrick was probably born on the western coast of either England or Wales, about 1500 years ago.  Patrick describes how he was captured and taken to Ireland by pirates, where he was enslaved and set to work looking after animals. Patrick says that when he escaped to the coast he found a ship and sailed away to freedom, eventually reuniting with his family about six years later.

Patrick's Christian faith grew; he became a bishop and some years later returned to Ireland on a mission to convert the Irish to Christianity. It was a difficult and dangerous time for Patrick, but over the years he established churches and schools throughout the island.

Today, St. Patrick's Day is a truly global phenomenon, with celebrations throughout the world.  Everyone in school was invited to wear something green on this day.

Here is a part of one of St Patrick's famous prayers. It is called "The Breastplate" and it is a morning prayer that St. Patrick wrote a long time ago. It's a special prayer asking for protection from bad things that might happen during the day.