So many legends surround St. Patrick that it can be difficult at times to distinguish fact from fiction! 

While these can be fun to speculate about, there are verified facts about this saint that are important for Catholic families to know!

Here are 4 facts about St. Patrick to share with your kids this March 17th!

PLUS–a St. Patrick coloring page you can print off at home!

Share this blog with friends and family who would love to use this for St. Patrick’s Feast Day!

• The Catholic Church still has some of St. Patrick’s writings!

Irish history is filled with legends and myths about their great saints. While some of these stories are probably more folktale than historical fact, we do have verified stories about St. Patrick because we have some of his writings! Two ancient documents written by him have survived, and we still can read them today. They are…

His Confessio, or Confession (in which he tells his life story)

His Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus (in which he reprimands and encourages repentance)

Both of these have been dated back to 450 A.D., when St. Patrick was a middle-aged man! 

Parents and teens can read these writings for themselves; it’s a wonderful glimpse into the mind of this great saint! 

• His real name was Magonus Saccatus Patricius!

What a mouthful! It makes sense when you learn that Patrick wasn’t born in Ireland! 

He was the son of a Roman deacon, and lived in Scotland until he was 16. Then, he was abducted and sold into slavery in Ireland. 

When he was 22, he was able to escape his captors and return home. However, Patrick was filled with a desire to return and evangelize the Irish people. He left behind his parents and hometown, and went back to the land that treated him so poorly. He was determined to spread the faith to the ends of the earth, and completely trusted that God would bless his work!

Although he was not the first Christian missionary sent to Ireland, his boldness allowed him to spread the Gospel further than ever before. His story teaches us to be courageous in sharing the faith…God uses even our darkest moments for His glory!

• The stories about snakes and shamrocks are myths

As cool as the stories are, St. Patrick’s Confession doesn’t mention the famous shamrock story or driving snakes out of Ireland. 

However, he did live his life as a priest, bishop, and missionary, driving out sin! He was also dedicated to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to everyone, even those that were furthest away from God!

• Ever heard of St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer?

St. Patrick’s Breastplate is known as a Lorica–an Irish monastic prayer for protection (similar to a litany). 

The word Lorica comes from a Latin word meaning “armor “ or “chainmail.” These prayers protect us like armor in our spiritual battles, too! 

Scholars believe that St. Patrick’s Breastplate was written long after St. Patrick was alive; however, it definitely captures the courageous spirit in which St. Patrick lived his life!

You’ve probably heard of St. Patrick’s Breastplate before…here are some more famous bits from it!

Hint: for a fun feast day activity, why not have your family pray this prayer? Kids can also practice their penmanship by writing it out in their Holy Heroes Spiritual Journal.

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.

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.

This is a beautiful prayer to perhaps pray before working on the St. Patrick coloring page!

Finally–make sure you check out this NEW Catholic children’s book:

This portrait of a happy summer in Ireland centers around five adventurous children!

Wonderful photos of adventures in the Irish countryside and visits to the beach create an irresistible tale of a life that any child would enjoy hearing about. Their farm includes cats, dogs, horses, and sheep, who all become part of the tale. Ireland’s Catholic tradition is ancient and unique, and these children are part of the latest chapter.

Points of culture are included, such as an explanation of the reason for the ancient description of Ireland as the Isle of Saints and Scholars.

Bonus content includes:

• musical instruments, 
• hurling, camogie, and Gaelic football, 
• why it is called the island of Saints and Scholars, 
• and more!

 Book 6 in the Very Young Catholic Series

Psst—check out our annual Catholic Easter Basket Inspiration blog!