When told that St. Patrick wasn’t Irish, most PAHS students were shocked.

Lucy Snyder, senior said “Yes, I do find it surprising. Especially since the holiday is all based around Ireland”.

Trent Arnold junior, also said, “No, it doesn’t surprise me. I’ve done the research in the past.”

St. Patrick’s real name is Maewyn Succat and took the name Patrick on his religious journeys.

St. Patrick wasn’t actually Irish. He was a patron saint of Ireland, and is part of the Christianity’s most known figures. He was actually born in Britain, to wealthy parents. His father was a deacon, and suggested that he would take the role of a tax incentive. There was no other proof that Patrick came from a religious family.

At 16, Patrick was taken prisoner by Irish raiders who attacked his family estate. Captive in Ireland for six years he worked as a shepherd. Frightened and alone, he turned to his religion.

Finally escaping with the belief of the voice of God telling him to do so, he walked 200 miles from County Mayo toward Britain. This is where he experienced a second revelation. An angel in a dream tells him to return to Ireland as a missionary, this is where he began religious training. His study lasted 15 years.

After being deemed a priest he started on his mission. To minister Christans already living in Ireland and to convert them. Patrick chose to include traditional actions to lessons of Christianity instead of eliminating Irish beliefs.

The reason that we celebrate St.Patrick’s day is to celebrate him. To honor the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. In many ways we see the collaboration of Christianity and Irish’s culture. For example he explained the Holy Trinity  (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) by the Irish clover (the shamrock.)

Over the years the traditions changed. It rubbed off on American immigrants, encouraging the “Irish Aid” society. These groups, Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society. They would hold yearly parades, there are bagpipes and showing off their unity and strength.

Many people do different things for St.Patrick’s day. Most people wear green to celebrate the holiday and make a dish. Trey Riley, Freshman said “We eat an Irish American dish that includes stewed corn beef and cabbage seasoned with pepper and salt. That’s about it. We are simple people.”