Who was Saint Patrick? Why do we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day?
Here's the answer:
Saint Patrick was a man who spread the message of Jesus across Ireland. We celebrate Saint Patrick's Day because it is ultimately celebrating Jesus’ work in Patrick’s life.
Saint Patrick’s real name was Maewyn Succat. He was kidnapped from his home in Scotland and was taken as a slave to Ireland. At the young age of sixteen, he was in a foreign land with no friends or family members. He started learning the culture, customs, and language of the Druids.
Patrick was able to escape after he had a dream from God. In the dream, God told Patrick that his ship was ready. Patrick obeyed and escaped Ireland. Soon after, he had another dream that was urging him to return. Similarly, he obeyed and returned to the Irish people, where he taught them about Jesus.
The Druids did not believe in Jesus. They had false gods they worshiped. However, through Patrick’s missionary work, he was able to help many Irish people, as well as Druids, come to know the Lord. He is credited with “Christianizing” Druid and Celtic symbols, which means he used them for symbolizing a Christian teaching, changing their meaning.
Each year, Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th, the day Patrick died. We ultimately celebrate this holiday for Patrick’s work for the Lord. Saint Patrick is estimated to have helped over 135,000 people come to know Jesus, established 300 churches, and appointed 350 bishops.
Bible Truth
"May the Lord bless you and take good care of you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24–26).
"Then Jesus came to them. He said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.'" (Matthew 28:18–20).
