March 17th remains recognized as one of the luckiest days of the year. However, many Montrosians do not fully know the story behind St. Patrick. Ireland is proud to recognize St. Patrick as a significant symbol of its people; however, he was not born in Ireland. Ironically, his experience of Ireland was his time in prison when he was kidnapped from his home. He was kidnapped from his family, who was most likely living in Scotland, England, or Wales. Eventually, Patrick escaped to a boat heading back to his country, where he was finally reunited with his family. Although he was physically safe at home, his mind was still lost in what he saw in Ireland.  Because of this, he was inspired to fulfill a career in the priesthood. After he was ordained, he courageously ventured back to Ireland to spread God’s word from the South of Ireland to the North and everywhere in between. He later was named a Saint, and March 17th is celebrated in his honor.

How does the story of St. Patrick affect people now? One of the most recognizable things about Ireland is green: green fields, green clovers, green clothes, and more! A majority of the Montrose population celebrates this holiday outside of school. Carlie Cichocki ‘18 shared, “We eat corned beef and cabbage in my family.”  Each year, Boston hosts a parade in memory of Saint Patrick. Several Montrosians elaborated by saying that they “look forward to it each year.”

At school, many students decorate their uniforms with a variety of green accents. Mary McManmon ‘20 embellishes her grey skirt with “all shades of green accessories.” Without a doubt, Saint Patrick’s influence of Catholicism continues to spread, and brings joy to people of all ages which we recognize on such a day.