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March is a very special month in the church. There are two very famous saints whose feast days are celebrated during the month of March. They are Saint Patrick (March 17), and Saint Joseph (March 19).
Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He was born in Roman Britain in the late 3rd century, was kidnapped by the pirates at the age of 16, and taken to Ireland as a slave. Patrick escaped but returned in 432 AD to work as a missionary in northern and western Ireland and converted the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461 AD, he had established monasteries, churches and schools.
“Everyone is Irish on St Paddy’s Day”, so they say! Please wear your “green” in honor of St Patrick. It will be a free dress-down day on Friday, March 17!
Saint Joseph is the foster father of Jesus. His life is recorded in the Gospels, particularly Matthew and Luke. Joseph was a descendant of the house of King David. One day an angel appeared to Joseph and informed him of Herod’s death. The angel instructed him to return to the Holy Land.
The month of March is dedicated to Saint Joseph. Pope Pius IX declared him to be both the patron and the protector of the Catholic Church in addition to also being the patron Saint of the sick and of a happy death due to the belief that he died in the presence of Jesus and Mary. His feast day is March 19.
The students will have a special treat in honor of these two saints at lunchtime on Friday, March 17.
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