Mr. E.'s Class Page

March 17, 461. Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland. On this day Saint Patrick died after 40 years of living in poverty, traveling the countrlyside to teach, and preaching the gospel. Born in Great Britain to a Christian family of Roman citizenship (we just finished learning about the Romans in Social Studies – everything is tied together somehow!), he was captured and brought to Ireland as a slave. For six years he worked as a herder until he had a dream that told him escape. He was reunited with his family. Eventually he had another dream that guided him to become a priest and return to Ireland as a priest. Since his death, Irish people have observed this day as a religious holiday. Over time it has changed to a world wide celebration of Ireland, shamrocks, and wear green or be pinched (except at school!) An surprising fact to end my entry today is that the first Saint Patrick’s Day parade was not held in Ireland, but rather New York City! Mr. E.

“On March 17, 461 A.D. Saint Patrick died in Saul. The book Confessio is where Patrick’s life comes from because he wrote the book. Patrick had dreams with people talking to him and stuff. Patrick was ordained a bishop. The first parade was held in New York City in 1762. Today is the day of Saint Patrick.” Daren

 ”In 461 A.D., Saint Patrick, Christian Missionary, dies at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland. Patrick was captured and enslaved at age 16 by Irish marauders. Following a voice he heard in a dream one night he escaped and found a passage on a ship to Britain, where he was eventually reunited with his family. He arrived in Ireland in 433 and began preaching gospel. Patrick died on March 17, 461 in Saul. The first Saint Patrick’s Day parade was in New York City in 1762.” Renee

“I think that to have that dream to go back to Ireland and going is really brave.” Jasmine

“Wow! I am shocked! I didn’t know that St. Patrick’s Day had so much history!” Hannah

“I never knew this was how Saint Patrick’s Day began. I always knew it had to be about someone named Patrick, but I never knew how his life was. I thought he would have been born on March 17 instead of dieing on March 17. He seems like he was a great man. Being able to escape slavery seems like he was brave. If he was braver, he would have saved more people.Or at least tried.” Jacob

“Saint Patrick’s Day is a time to watch parades and celebrate the green…St. Patrick, although he came from Ireland, the first real parade was in New York and not Ireland! St. Patrick’s day is a funny little holiday where we can gather around and maybe do a little pinching.” Kaylee

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