by Cathie Berglund
Mar. 9, 2026
Just ask anyone in the know, and they will tell you that celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is about leprechauns, shamrocks, wearing green (to avoid a pinch!), and eating corned beef and cabbage, but there is much more to celebrate on March 17th than what popular culture wants us to believe. St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of the life of Patricius of Britain who was born over 1,600 years ago and who lived a life of service and sacrifice on behalf of an island whose people first enslaved him and then followed him to faith in Christ. Since it is just about time to take a break from regular studies and enjoy spring break, we’ve compiled a few resources for a quick unit study on this saint’s life and the traditions and myths that surround the day that honors his legacy. Just the Facts Patricius (we’ll just call him Patrick) was born in Britain during the decline of the Roman Empire, in approximately 390 AD. His father was an influential local leader, but Patrick was not interested in the work or the fame that came with his father’s line of work. At the age of 16, Patrick was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave. For 6 years he endured hunger and bitter cold in the Irish hills where he was kept as a shepherd-slave. In his isolation, he cried out to God for help, and the Lord answered him in a dream, and He showed Patrick the way of escape. Over a year later, he finally arrived at his childhood home, but he was restless and could not get Ireland and its people out of his thoughts. In a dream, he heard the voices of the Irish calling him to come back to the island, so he set out to the European continent to study and become a priest in order to take his faith back to the Irish people, who were considered so unruly that even the Roman Christians dared not cross the Irish Sea to evangelize them. After his studies and ordination, he returned to Ireland and established churches throughout much of the central and northern regions of the island. During his 30 years of ministry, Patrick courageously faced martyrdom daily, but as a result, thousands of people became Christians, and the island was forever changed. Here are a few resources for finding out more about Patrick’s life and his faith, and you can also dig deeper with a timeline or a geography study. Book List for St. Patrick’s Day (PDF) The Top 10 Books About St. Patrick - Irish Myths Saint Patrick | Biography, Facts, Feast Day, Miracles, & Death | Britannica The Story of St. Patrick: How Christianity Spread in Ireland | Drive Thru History: Ends of the Earth (video) Print a map of Europe and trace his travels: Cumbria, England Antrim, Ireland Wexford, Ireland Roman Britain Auxerre, France The Roman region of Gaul Lérins Islands Downpatrick, Ireland Create a timeline of Roman History and St. Patrick’s life: 509 BC – Roman Republic founded 70 AD – Fall of Jerusalem 313 AD – Edict of Milan (legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire) 380 AD – Edict of Thessalonica (established Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire) 401 AD (approx.) – Patrick kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave 460 AD (approx.) – Patrick died in Northern Ireland 476 AD – Fall of Rome Patrick’s Legacy During the Dark Ages that followed the fall of the Roman Empire, many historical records and Bibles were destroyed in Europe and Britain. But, in the centuries after his death, Patrick’s followers copied biblical texts and other documents and kept them safe from invaders on their remote island. These Irish scribes wrote libraries of texts that became storehouses of Christian history and theology for all Western Civilization. So, in this way, Patrick’s life changed an island which changed the world. We can continue this legacy in our own families using traditional St. Patrick’s Day prayers and Bible verses to remind us of God’s blessings and protection. These Scriptures, promises, and prayers are great for memorization, copy work, and dictation: Numbers 6:24-26 Ephesians 3:20-21 Psalm 121 Isaiah 64:4 Prayers and Blessings of Saint Patrick Lyrics of the hymn, “Be Thou My Vision” (Read about its amazing history here!) Celebrate Legacy, Not Myths Unfortunately, just two documents written by St. Patrick still survive today, so his story is full of folklore and unproven facts. His life, though, tells a story worthy of its own holiday. Patrick was a true, historic figure so we do not have to rely on modern myths like pinching leprechauns and rainbows leading to pots of gold to celebrate the day. His true story, along with the lives of Bible heroes like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, and Esther, inspires us to live courageously and to trust the Lord on our own journey. I hope that you will take a break from spelling lists and science tests to celebrate the day with a bit of fun and feasting! Here are a few final resources for a blessed St. Patrick’s Day. Enjoy! Traditional Irish Food to Make for St. Patrick’s Day 38 Fun St. Patrick's Day Crafts and Activities for Kids 29 Free St. Patrick's Day Word Search Puzzles for Kids Happy-St-Patricks-Day-Coloring.jpg (850×1170) St. Patrick's Day Free Coloring Pages Learn How to Make Your Own St. Patrick’s Badges (video) “Extra Credit” Vocabulary List – For the logophiles in the family Canonization Paschal Diaspora Rosette Scribe Venerate Hagiography Pilgrimage Cairn Legacy Bonus Questions – For the overachievers What is canonization? Was St. Patrick canonized? In which countries or regions is St. Patrick’s Day a national holiday? Is it a national holiday where you live? What are the Ides of March and what date does it fall upon? Research the story of the clash between Patrick and the Irish King Lóegaire, then write or narrate their story as you prepare for Easter this year. ________________________________ Cathie Berglund is the Exhibits Coordinator for CHEA. She and her husband homeschooled their two, now grown, children through high school. Cathie's homeschooling years sparked a love for the study of God’s Word, for reading and teaching literature, and for encouraging families in their own homeschool journeys.
