Ready to teach your children or students about the beloved patron saint of Ireland?
Here's a ready-to-use lesson about this missionary bishop who brought Christianity to Ireland and banished snakes from the Emerald Isle!
1Tell the story of St. Patrick
Tell the kids:
Born in Britain around 385 AD, young Patrick was kidnapped by Irish raiders at age 16 and forced to work as a slave tending sheep in Ireland. After six years, he escaped and returned home, but later had a vision calling him back to Ireland as a missionary.
He returned to the land of his captivity to spread Christianity, using the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. He worked as a missionary in Ireland for around 30 years, and today we can still read his autobiography telling the story of his life. He is one of the patron saints of Ireland.
Watch this engaging 30-minute video, Patrick: Brave Shepherd of the Emerald Isle. It’s available on FORMED and on YouTube here:
Younger children might enjoy this read-aloud video of Patrick: The Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola:
Older kids can listen to this 30-minute Saints Alive episode about St. Patrick, perhaps while coloring or working on handwriting or in the car.
2Work and discuss
After the video, children can work on a coloring page or a shamrock craft, cutting green paper cut into shamrock shapes (here’s a template to trace the outline for them).
Discussion questions:
- How did Patrick's time as a slave shape his faith?
- Why did he choose to return to Ireland after escaping?
- How did the shamrock help Patrick explain the Trinity?
- What does the legend of driving out snakes symbolize?
- How can we show courage like St. Patrick when facing challenges?
3Choose an extension activity
Shamrock Trinity Craft
You’ll use the shamrocks the kids cut out for this project. On the leaves of a shamrock, write “Father,” “Son,” and “Holy Spirit.” Decorate with green markers, glitter, or stickers.
Snake Puppet Drama
Make “snakes” out of sock or paper bag puppets or Play-Doh. Then have the kids act out the story of St. Patrick driving the snakes from Ireland.
Celebrate with some Irish-themed snacks
Green apple slices, shamrock cookies, Irish soda bread and green grapes would all fit the theme. If you’ve got some budding chefs on your hands, pick out a traditional Irish recipe to make together.
Enjoy Irish music
The music is one of the best parts of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day! Listen to traditional Irish music and look up a video to learn a simple dance step.
4Pray together
Every year on St. Patrick’s Day, our family reads aloud one of my favorite prayers: St. Patrick’s Breastplate. You can find a printable version here to give to each family member or student. We like to go around the room taking turns reading each part.
Here is a shorter version:
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.
Hope you have as much fun celebrating St. Patrick as we do! St. Patrick, pray for us!
Find all of our open-and-go lesson plans here.
