Saint Patrick, Saint Patrick's Day, Celtic history Copyright https://www.crosswalk.com 2026, Crosswalk.com Thu, 08 Jan 2026 03:59:51 -0500 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/saint-patrick/when-is-saint-patricks-day.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/saint-patrick/when-is-saint-patricks-day.html Liz Auld https://www.crosswalk.com/author/liz-auld/ Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th every year. It is celebrated on that date every year because that is believed to be the day St. Patrick died. It falls during the season of Lent, and Irish Catholics have been celebrating St. Patrick’s day annually since the ninth or tenth century. Sat, 01 Mar 2025 15:40:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:59:51-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/saint-patrick/who-was-st-patrick-and-why-should-christians-celebrate-st-patrick-s-day.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/saint-patrick/who-was-st-patrick-and-why-should-christians-celebrate-st-patrick-s-day.html Rachel Dawson https://www.crosswalk.com/author/rachel-dawson/ St. Patrick lived his years as a great example for us today. But he didn't live it out simply by "the luck of the Irish," as some may say, for one theme shines through it all: God’s Presence and Sovereignty are powerful.He was an unlikely saint with an extraordinary story (involving pirates-- read on!) yet the Lord became real to him early in his adulthood and changed his life and legacy forever.St. Patrick shares in writings that he prayed many prayers through the day, and even into the night. He shared these words of his time in captivity, "and the faith grew in me, and the spirit was roused, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers, and in the night nearly the same, so that whilst in the woods and on the mountain, even before the dawn, I was roused to prayer..."St. Patrick went on to write prayers many Christians still echo today, and his influence on the world is worth remembering and celebrating.We can learn much from studying this amazing man's life. It wasn't about leprechauns, 4 leaf clovers, wearing green, or about luck.His life was simply about the amazing Sovereignty and blessing of God, about obedience to His call, about prayer and faithfulness.May the example of this godly man from years ago, spur us onward even today.Photo credit: Flickr-ThadZajdowicz Sat, 01 Mar 2025 03:20:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:59:51-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/breakpoint-daily-commentary/the-story-of-st-patricks-day.html https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/breakpoint-daily-commentary/the-story-of-st-patricks-day.html Chuck Colson and John Stonestreet https://www.crosswalk.com/author/chuck-colson/ Of the thousands of green-clad parade-goers, marchers, and partiers today, few know about Patrick, the man for whom today’s holiday is named. Fewer still know of the man beyond the legend, who supposedly drove the snakes out of Ireland and certainly possessed an indomitable faith in Jesus Christ.In 2006, Chuck Colson told St. Patrick’s story in a Breakpoint commentary. Here is Chuck Colson: Fri, 15 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:59:51-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/saint-patrick/what-is-st-patricks-breastplate-prayer.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/saint-patrick/what-is-st-patricks-breastplate-prayer.html Whitney Hopler https://www.crosswalk.com/author/whitney-hopler/ St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer incorporates timeless wisdom into its words. We can use this ancient prayer today to invite God’s power into any situation. Tue, 31 Jan 2023 14:40:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:59:51-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/saint-patrick/4-uplifting-lessons-from-the-life-of-st-patrick.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/saint-patrick/4-uplifting-lessons-from-the-life-of-st-patrick.html Chris Bolinger https://www.crosswalk.com/author/chris-bolinger/ Pop quiz: Tell me everything you know about St. Patrick. You have 30 seconds. [cue sound of “Jeopardy” music] How’d you do? Until 15 years ago, all that I could have told you was that he was an Irish dude and on March 17 people celebrate him by drinking lots of green beer. Then I watched the VeggieTales video “Sumo of the Opera” with my kids, and I learned the story of St. Patrick for the first time. (OK, OK, I’m not using a VeggieTales video as my primary source for this article. But you should watch the video, or at least the St. Patrick clip, even if you don’t have young children. It’s highly entertaining and educational. And I won’t tell anyone). Here's what I learned about who St. Patrick is, and what we can all learn from the way he lived. Photo Credit: ©Wikimedia Commons Thu, 17 Mar 2022 07:00:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:59:51-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/saint-patrick/fun-ways-to-celebrate-st-patricks-day-with-your-kids.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/saint-patrick/fun-ways-to-celebrate-st-patricks-day-with-your-kids.html Annie Yorty https://www.crosswalk.com/author/annie-yorty/ Most people associate St. Patrick’s Day with leprechauns, shamrocks, and anything Irish. But its origin stems from the life of a real-life, courageous hero of the faith. I encourage you to break from your normal homeschool activities to explore the phenomenal history of this remarkable man. Wed, 09 Mar 2022 14:30:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:59:51-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/saint-patrick/fun-facts-about-why-green-is-the-official-saint-patricks-day-color.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/saint-patrick/fun-facts-about-why-green-is-the-official-saint-patricks-day-color.html Heather Adams https://www.crosswalk.com/author/heather-adams/ It’s been said that “the whole world becomes Irish” during St. Patrick's Day. And while Christians celebrate St. Patrick for his beloved sharing of the Gospel throughout Ireland, one of the ways all people join in the celebration is by wearing green.But did you ever wonder how ‘green’ came to be such a symbol of the Irish? Understanding more about how this hue became connected with the country's heritage adds a bit of extra meaning to the 'Wearin’ of the Green.”Here are seven fun facts about why green is traditional on St. Patrick’s Day:Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/gpointstudio Mon, 16 Mar 2020 14:45:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:59:51-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/headlines/contributors/guest-commentary/protective-prayer-st-patricks-breastplate.html https://www.crosswalk.com/headlines/contributors/guest-commentary/protective-prayer-st-patricks-breastplate.html Kyle Fletcher https://www.crosswalk.com/author/kyle-fletcher/ This timeless hymn that celtic monks used to sing to begin their day is just as relevant for us today as it was for them hundreds of years ago. Mon, 12 Mar 2018 09:52:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:59:51-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/saint-patrick/5-ways-st-patrick-s-life-shows-the-power-of-prayer.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/saint-patrick/5-ways-st-patrick-s-life-shows-the-power-of-prayer.html Whitney Hopler https://www.crosswalk.com/author/whitney-hopler/ This St. Patrick’s Day, let Patrick’s life inspire you to do more than just wear green or enjoy Irish music. Wed, 15 Mar 2017 14:32:13 -0400 2026-01-08T03:59:51-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/video/5-things-you-didn-t-know-about-st-patrick.html https://www.crosswalk.com/video/5-things-you-didn-t-know-about-st-patrick.html Kyle Fletcher https://www.crosswalk.com/author/kyle-fletcher/ Have you ever asked yourself who Saint Patrick actually was? We all recognize his Irish shamrock, and know that one story about the snakes, but who was he really? The answer to this question may surprise you. Here are 5 things you probably didn’t know about Saint Patrick! Mon, 13 Mar 2017 12:16:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:59:51-05:00