When Is Saint Patrick’s Day?
Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on March 17, marking the feast day of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. This day is observed by Catholics and other Christians worldwide, especially in Ireland, where it is both a religious and cultural celebration.
Who Was Saint Patrick? The Life, Legacy, and Feast Day of Ireland’s Patron Saint
Saint Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the late fourth century. While his exact birthplace is uncertain, evidence shows he was born near Dumbarton, which is in modern-day Scotland. Despite his Catholic heritage—his father was a deacon and his grandfather a priest—Patrick confessed as a youth, “I did not know the true God,” and thus was like many of his countrymen: “We had gone away from God, and did not keep his commandments. We would not listen to our priests, who advised us about how we could be saved [Daniel 9:5-6; see John 3:16-21]” (Confessio [Confession], 1).
Captured by Irish Raiders
When Patrick was sixteen he was captured by Irish raiders and enslaved in pagan Ireland, where he worked as a shepherd for several years. During this time his faith deepened, and he spent much of his captivity in prayer. After a vision from God, Patrick escaped and returned home to Britain. He eventually became a Catholic priest and beloved bishop of his adopted country. Our knowledge of Saint Patrick comes mainly from two works he wrote that survive to this day: his Confessio (Confession), which is his spiritual autobiography, and his Letter to Coroticus, in which he denounces British mistreatment of Irish Christians. Both works show Saint Patrick’s great knowledge of and love for Sacred Scripture, as he provides many references to the Bible, e.g., when he recalls his conversion:
It was there that the Lord opened up my awareness of my lack of faith. Even though it came about late, I recognized my failings. So I turned with all my heart to the Lord my God [Joel 2:12, and he looked down on my lowliness [Luke 1:48] (Confessio 2).
Patrick Returns to Ireland
After his escape, Patrick had another vision, in which the people of Ireland beckoned him to return the Emerald Isle as a missionary:
They called out as it were with one voice: “We beg you, holy boy, to come and walk again among us.” This touched my heart deeply, and I could not read any further; I woke up then. Thanks be to God, after many years the Lord granted them what they were calling for (Confessio 23).
Saint Patrick, Deacon, Priest, and Bishop
Patrick entered formation as a deacon and priest, studied extensively, and, in time, was also ordained a bishop. Patrick returned to Ireland to preach the gospel, convert the Irish people, and further establish the Catholic Church in Ireland, which St. Palladius had begun. Patrick’s missionary work was incredibly successful, as he converted many people and built churches across the country:
In the knowledge of this faith in the Trinity, and without letting the dangers prevent it, it is right to make known the gift of God and his eternal consolation. It is right to spread abroad the name of God faithfully and without fear, so that even after my death I may leave something of value to the many thousands of my brothers and sisters – the children whom I baptised in the Lord (Confessio 14).
The Shamrock and the Holy Trinity
One of the most famous stories about Saint Patrick is his use of the shamrock to explain the doctrine of the Holy Trinity—one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This simple yet profound explanation helped the Irish understand the Christian faith. Today, the shamrock is a well-known symbol associated with Saint Patrick and Ireland.
Did Saint Patrick Drive Out Snakes?
One of the most enduring Saint Patrick legends and stories is that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland. However, historians state this is symbolic, representing the saint’s efforts to rid Ireland of pagan practices in bringing Christianity to the land. Indeed, there is no evidence that Ireland ever had snakes, but the legend remains a popular part of Saint Patrick history, as the annual July pilgrimage up Croagh Patrick in County Mayo, Ireland recalls, and which was proceeded by Patrick’s fasting for forty days and forty nights on this revered Irish mountain.
How Did Saint Patrick Spread Christianity?
Saint Patrick’s missionary work was revolutionary for Ireland. He traveled extensively, converting local chieftains and establishing Christian communities. His efforts firmly rooted the Catholic Church in Ireland, and thus became widely acclaimed as the country’s patron saint.
Was Saint Patrick Catholic?
Yes. As St. Patrick himself, the Catholic Church, Catholic Answers, and history otherwise all confirm, he was a Catholic bishop and missionary. His work in Ireland was instrumental in spreading Catholicism, which remains the dominant faith in Ireland today. Watch this short video and get the in-depth answer to the question: Was St. Patrick Catholic or Baptist?
The Feast Day of Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick’s feast day has been observed for more than a thousand years. Waterford-born Franciscan scholar Luke Wadding, a Catholic priest, played a significant role in adding it to the Catholic Church’s official calendar. Today, regarding Saint Patrick’s Day, we at Catholic Answers join the faithful worldwide in recognizing it as both a solemn religious observance and a cultural celebration.
Why Do We Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day?
Originally, Saint Patrick’s Feast Day was a religious occasion marked by prayer, Mass, and feasting. Over the centuries, it evolved into a broader celebration of Saint Patrick, Ireland, and Irish heritage and culture. Traditional Saint Patrick’s Day food includes corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, and shepherd’s pie.
Saint Patrick’s Day in Present Day
Today, Saint Patrick’s Day in Ireland is both a religious and national holiday, with parades, festivals, and other public celebrations, particularly in Dublin. In the United States and other countries with large Irish populations, cities like New York, Chicago, and Detroit hold grand parades, and the Catholic faithful are encouraged to celebrate in a manner truly befitting St. Patrick and our Lord Jesus. Many people wear Saint Patty’s green and adorn themselves with shamrocks in honor of the saint.
Saint Patrick Prayers and Devotions
Several prayers are attributed to Saint Patrick, including the famous Lorica of Saint Patrick, also known as Saint Patrick’s Breastplate. A well-known excerpt from his prayer reads:
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.
This prayer is often found on a Saint Patrick prayer card and remains a powerful devotion for many believers.
Download Catholic Answers free printable PDV version of St. Patrick’s Breastplate
When Did Saint Patrick Die?
Saint Patrick is believed to have died on March 17, 461, which is why his feast day is celebrated on this date. Other sources date his death to as late as the 490s. His burial is traditionally thought to be Downpatrick, Northern Ireland.
Saint Patrick’s Legacy
Saint Patrick’s influence on Christianity and Irish culture is immeasurable. His teachings, missionary zeal, and example of faith continue to inspire Catholics worldwide. Whether through the history of Saint Patrick’s Day, the history and legend of Saint Patrick, or his enduring prayers, his legacy remains strong in the Church and beyond.
So, when you celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day 2025, remember that it’s more than just a day for parades and parties—it’s a day to honor—and thus emulate—a man whose faith transformed a nation. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Additional Resources
The Catholic Encyclopedia
Catholic Answers Magazine Online
Videos
Explaining the Trinity can be challenging. Watch this short video and see how Jimmy Akin shows you how.
Another top question we get at Catholic Answers is about patron Saints. This quick video explains why we have a patron Saint.