Reading March 17

Saint Patrick
By Brenda B. Covert
Saint Patrick
Birth date unknown.
Died March 17th around the year 461 A.D.

His native land was Britain.
He, a lad of sixteen years,
Had no interest in his studies,
Had no worries, had no fears.

Then roving pirates caught him.
Off to Ireland they did go
Where they sold him into slavery,
Life of joy turned life of woe.

He worked there as a shepherd
In the field and all alone.
There religion was his comfort,
And he dreamed of going home.

Six years the sheep he tended,
Till the night he crept away.
He found passage back to Britain,
But he did not choose to stay.

He sought religious training,
Education he desired.
Then to Ireland he did travel
With the knowledge he acquired.

To the people who enslaved him
Now came he to set them free
From the human sacrifices
Of their pagan philosophy.

All his life he served the Irish -
Maewyn Succat, named at birth.
Shamrocks now connote Saint Patrick,
Widely known throughout the Earth.

Each year in March we honor
Him whose mission was to share
Christian faith with Ireland's people.
See the shamrocks everywhere!

Questions

1. This poem is based on:
A. The education of Saint Patrick
B. The escape of Saint Patrick
C. The religion of Saint Patrick
D. The life of Saint Patrick

2. Why is St. Patrick's Day celebrated on the day of his death rather than his birth?

3. What was Saint Patrick's first name?

4. What is the meaning of connote in the 7th stanza?
A. join
B. celebrate
C. signify
D. contort

5. Which is a FACT in this story?
A. Saint Patrick escaped from slavery around the age of 16.
B. Saint Patrick returned to the land of his enslavement.
C. Human sacrifice is a good thing.
D. Shepherds are bad people.

6. What did Saint Patrick do after his escape from Ireland?
A. He studied to become a preacher.
B. He went back as a slave.
C. He sought revenge on his captors.
D. He grew shamrocks.

7. Saint Patrick was Irish.
A. True
B. False

8.  Use the link to read about why a shamrock is associated with Saint Patrick.  Explain the association.

9.  Do a search to find out what the connection is between Saint Patrick and leprechauns.  What did you find out?