St. Patrick's Day, celebrated every year on March 17, is a holiday honoring Saint Patrick, the
                       missionary credited with converting the Irish to Christianity in the A.D. 400s. Saint Patrick's real
                       name was Maewyn Succat. For his first 16 years, Maewyn lived a normal life as the son of a
                       wealthy landowner and magistrate in Britain.

                       At 16, Maewyn was captured and sold into slavery by a group of pirates
                       who raided his village. After six years of herding sheep, Maewyn escaped,
                       went to France and became a priest, adopting the name Patrick.

                       During his training, Patrick discovered that his calling was to convert Irish
                       pagans to Christianity. He returned to Ireland, established monasteries across the country, set up
                       schools and churches, and converted many with his winning personality. Patrick carried on a very
                       successful mission for thirty years. When he died on March 17, that day was commemorated as
                       St. Patrick's Day. Click on the pot of gold to return.