So, dear readers did you know that St. Patrick’s “real name” was Maewyn Succat? It was only after he became a Catholic priest that Patrick changed his name to Patricius, which in Latin equates to the word father.

Patrick was not Irish. He was British. He was a Welshman. The Scots like to claim him too! Patrick once lived as a slave. He was kidnapped when he was a teenager by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland. He later escaped and returned to Britain. This is when St. Patrick became a priest in England and later a bishop.

Allegedly, St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain Christianity’s Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish. The tri-leaf of the shamrock represents the belief in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

St. Patrick was never actually officially canonised as a saint.

And finally, St. Patrick passed away on March 17. This is the day he is celebrated annually.

Whether you are Irish, part Irish or any other ethnicity; I say to you, Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Copright © Marc Stockwell-Moniz