We all know about St. Patrick's day, and we all love to use it as an excuse to harm our friends, but do we know the real story behind this enjoyable holiday? Many people don't, so let's just dive in. First of all, not much is known about the first 16 years of his life, because he didn't elaborate his youth in his autobiography, other than his father was a religious leader. He was born A.D. 385, and grew up a normal life for his younger days. When he was 16, pirates from Ireland kidnapped him and sold him into slavery. He served as a shepherd and farm laborer for six years, and he grew to like Ireland. One night, he had a vivid dream, and it showed him how to escape. The next day, he followed what he saw, and he escaped on a ship back to his home. While he was in Ireland, he learned to have faith, because of his trials. He loved Ireland, and vowed to go back. When he got home, he studied the gospel and he was ordained to be a priest, then a bishop. Eventually, he was commissioned to be an apostle to the land he escaped. He went back, and converted many to Christianity. There is a legend that St. Patrick got rid of all the snakes in Ireland, but this is not true. Snakes weren't in Ireland since the last ice age. They might be referring to driving out the druids or pagan worshipers. The snake was a popular symbol in the Irish pagans. It might also refer to creating a new ethic for all of Ireland. St. Patrick also used the shamrock as a way to explain the trinity. Americans celebrate St. Patrick's day by hosting parades, wearing green, and sporting the shamrock. In Chicago, they dye the river green with a vegetable-based solution for eco-friendliness. The main way that my family and I celebrate St. Patrick's day is by wearing green and pinching each other. Maybe I should celebrate St. Patrick's day by telling others the story of Saint Patrick!
Here are my sources:
www.ligonier.org/blog/who-was-saint-patrick-and-should-christians-celebrate-st-patricks-day/
www.timeanddate.com/holidays/common/st-patrick-day
www.dummies.com/religion/christianity/catholicism/who-is-st-patrick-and-why-do-we-celebrate-st-patricks-day/
I think your post was too well written, so nobody has come up with any criticism to comment. Not to worry, I have found just the thing! You start off by saying, "let's just dive in," but then you start talking about a he. I understand what you mean by this, because I have done research relating to this subject. You have to think to yourself, "do they understand this?" If the answer is no, then you must change it in such a way so that anybody, no matter who, can read and understand what message you are trying to convey. What you need to do is clear up the fact that he is Saint Patrick. An easy way to do this would be to just replace the word he, or his, with Saint Patrick's name! I believe your post was very well written and it is clear you have done much research. Good job on your post!
ReplyDeleteAh, I see it now. Thanks, Jonathan!
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