February 16, 2012 @ 09:10 AM

 

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year on March 17th. This day marks the accepted date in 493 CE of St. Patrick’s death.

As St. Patrick is the figure most prominently associated with bringing Christianity to Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland as a solemnity and holy day of obligation. The holiday is also officially celebrated by the Church of Ireland, the Irish branch of the Anglican Communion. The day is marked with special liturgical programs and a breaking of Lenten fasts.

Few historical details are known about St. Patrick’s mission to Ireland, although innumerable popular legends are associated with his work and play a major role in Irish ......

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