The modern St. Patrick's Day celebrations, characterized by commercial lucky charms and green beer, have very little to do with the actual historical figure of the saint. It took centuries for the holiday to accumulate the elements that now seem integral to its observance.
The March 17 celebration started in 1631 when the Church established a Feast Day honoring St. Patrick, who had been the Patron Saint of Ireland and died around the 5th century - over 12 centuries before the modern version of the holiday emerged. However, little is known about the real St. Patrick, according to Marion Casey, a professor of Irish Studies.
We know Patrick was a Roman citizen who was enslaved and taken to Ireland, where he later became a priest and converted many to Christianity. Legend says he was born Maewyn Succat but changed his name to Patricius (Patrick) after becoming a priest.
Many of the holiday's current traditions didn't take hold until the early 18th century. Since St. Patrick's Day falls during Lent, the church tried to rein in the celebrations, which had "gotten out of control." To refocus the holiday, the church associated the shamrock with St. Patrick, as was customary for all saints.
Much of what is known about Patrick's life comes from the Confessio, a book he wrote in his later years. Born in Britain to a wealthy Christian family, Patrick was captured and enslaved in Ireland at age 16. After six years as a herder, he escaped and returned to Britain, only to have a vision calling him back to Ireland. He was ordained a bishop and spent 40 years preaching the Gospel and building churches before dying on March 17, 461 in Saul.
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