St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, is a day everyone loves to celebrate by wearing green and having parades. But most don’t know the spiritual significance of the man named Patrick. The story of St. Patrick would be a great story to tell the children in your ministry. You could use the story for a missions or evangelism emphasis.
Patrick was born in Kilpatrick, Scotland in the year, 387. His parents were Romans living in Britain. At the age of fourteen, Patrick was captured by a raiding party and taken to Ireland to herd sheep. Ireland, at that time, was populated by pagans and druids. Patrick, during his captivity, learned the language and culture of Ireland. He also used his captivity to grow closer to God.
Six years later, at the age of twenty, Patrick had a dream from God to leave Ireland. In the dream, he was told to escape to the coast. When he arrived at the coast, a ship from Britain was waiting for him. He returned home to his family.
Later Patrick studied for the priesthood, became a bishop, and returned to Ireland as a missionary. Patrick preached the Gospel throughout Ireland, and many were converted. He died on March 17th, 461.
The reason the shamrock is used to represent St. Patrick is because he used the shamrock to illustrate the trinity. Since the shamrock is green, that color is also used to represent Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day.
