As a mom of six children, I have found it very hard to find Fun Educational Activities For Saint Patricks Day. To make it even harder, I want those activities to be Christ-centered and historically accurate. Here are lots of ideas to make St. Patrick’s Day a special family holiday.
Did you know…
Saint Patrick of Ireland was one of the world’s first missionaries!
He was a missionary to the people of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387 and died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Roman citizens living in the land of Britan. Patrick’s father was living in Britain in some form of government capacity and was in charge of the colonies.
Patrick, at the approximate age of fourteen to sixteen, was captured during a Druid raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. This was a very hard life! He had to endure all the elements and Ireland was a land of pagans. He learned the Gaelic language and practices of the people who held him. It was while he was living in slavery that he began to pray.
During his captivity, he turned to the one true God in prayer and later wrote of his conversion. He penned the following…”The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same.” “I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain.”
God used dreams in young Patrick’s life to speak his word and call to Him. Patrick’s captivity lasted until he was twenty when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britain, where he reunited with his family. He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him “We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more.”
After God called Patrick to be a missionary to the people of Ireland, he began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years.
Later, Patrick was ordained, a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived back in Ireland on March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick. I don’t know if it is true or not but it is a pretty amazing story!
Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick’s message. Patrick had many disciples throughout his life, among them Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac. These men also worked together to share the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
Patrick preached the gospel to all of Ireland for 40 years. He is said to have been a part of many miracles and wrote of his love for Jesus Christ in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling, and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461. He died at Saul, where he had built the first church. His life story is not well known today and it is such a shame because it displays how God’s power is made perfect in one person’s life!
Did you ever wonder why we associate a clover or shamrock with Saint Patrick’s Day?
It is said that Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and has been associated with him and the Irish since that time. The shamrock has only one stem but has three parts of the leaf. It was a perfect way to explain the Trinity. Three parts of God…the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit but all one God.
Fun Educational Activities For Saint Patricks Day
- Make a Saint Patrick’s Day dinner celebration by making traditional Irish food. During the meal read the “real” story of Saint Patrick.
- Hang a cross on your front door this Saint Patrick’s Day. Let this activity serve as a reminder of Patrick’s courage and bravery. Saint Patrick was a Christian Missionary. His life was about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. Pray for your neighbor’s salvation and that you would have the opportunity to share why you have a cross hanging on your door this Saint Patrick’s Day.
- Find a shamrock in your yard or purchase a shamrock plant for your home. Practice learning how to share your faith using a shamrock. What a great time to teach and learn about the Trinity using a shamrock to visually understand the Trinity.
- Why not take a few moments to read about Saint Patrick?
In the words of Saint Patrick…”Our God is the God of all, the God of heaven and earth, the God of the seas and rivers, the God of the sun and moon, and all the other planets; the God of the high hills and low valleys; God over heaven, in heaven, and under heaven; and He has a mansion, that is, heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them. He inspireth all things. He quickeneth all things. He enkindleth all things. He giveth light to the sun, and to the moon. He created fountains in the dry land, and placed dry islands in the sea, and stars to minister to the greater lights. He hath a Son, coeternal and coequal with Himself; and the Son is not younger than the Father, nor is the Father older than the Son. And the Holy Ghost breatheth in them. And the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are not divided. I desire, moreover, to unite you to the Son of the heavenly king, for ye are daughters of an earthly king.” 1
It is generally thought that Saint Patrick wrote a prayer called “The Breastplate”. There is still much uncertainty as to whether he actually wrote it however, it is a powerful prayer to pray together as a family or to commit to memory.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors,
In the innocence of holy virgins,
In the deeds of righteous men.
I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of rock.
I arise today, through
God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.
I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless power
that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul;
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
- Since Saint Patrick was a missionary, use this day to reach out to the missionary you or your church supports. Send a care package, write a letter or email and most importantly pray for the missionaries all around the world!
I wish each of you a VERY HAPPY Saint Patrick’s Day! Need more kid-friendly ideas? Click HERE!
YOUR TURN…
History has shown us that Patrick was a man after God’s own heart. He was known to be humble and whose love and total devotion to God is an example to us as Christians. He was also known for his bravery, he did not fear persecution or death, so complete was his trust in God. He is an inspiration to us as believers and his life encourages us to step out in faith and share the gospel with every person we meet.
What has Patrick taught you?
Blessings,
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I think you have mentioned some very interesting details, my kids will appreciate it!
Thank you and I hope your kids will really enjoy learning about St. Patrick!