March 17 is the Feast Day of Saint Patrick, one of the Church’s great evangelizing saints. 

Although he is the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick was actually born in Roman Britain in the fifth century. When he was a teenager, he was captured by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep.  It was during this time, that he discovered his own faith, finding strength through his relationship with God.

Saint Patrick’s enslavement lasted for six years until he had a dream in which he was told to escape by going by way of the coast.  He successfully made it back to Britain, but after a few years, he had a vision in which a man came to him from Ireland and gave him a letter with the heading ‘"The Voice of the Irish."  In his spiritual autobiography, the Confessio, Saint Patrick said that, at that moment, he heard the Irish people crying out, "We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us."

It led Patrick to further his education and study for the priesthood.  He would later be ordained a bishop and was appointed as successor to Saint Palladius, the first bishop of Ireland.   Saint Patrick spent the rest of his life bringing the Good News of the Gospel to the people of Ireland, which was a pagan country at the time.  He is believed to have used the three leaves of the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, and the shamrock remains associated with the saint and the Trinity to this day.

The prayer “Breastplate” is attributed to Saint Patrick.  It reads in part: "Christ be within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ inquired, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger."

Saint Patrick died on March 17, 461. He is now the patron saint of Ireland and is known as the Apostle of Ireland.

Saint Patrick and the Diocese of Portland

The feast day holds special significance in the Diocese of Portland because St. Patrick, along with St. Jean Baptiste, is a secondary patron of the Diocese of Portland, chosen because French missionaries and, later, French and Irish immigrants brought the Catholic faith to Maine and helped it take root and grow. Saint Patrick Church in Newcastle was the first church in the country named for Saint Patrick. It was dedicated by Father Jean-Louis Lefebvre de Cheverus on July 17, 1808, a year before the cornerstone was laid for Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. The original Saint Patrick Church has been in continual use longer than any other Catholic church in New England.

Maine Celebrations

Saturday, March 15

Our Lady of Hope Parish, Portland

The Knights of Columbus will hold their annual St. Patrick's Day corned beef and cabbage dinner on Saturday, March 15, in the hall of St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue in Portland. Only 200 tickets will be available for the dinner, which starts at 6 p.m. The cost is $25 per person for dinner and dessert. Tickets will be available following Masses in the parish, at the parish office, or by calling Paul Leblond at 207-253-9856. The Knights are also sponsoring a St. Patrick's Day Big Raffle to support their charitable works in the community. Tickets are $100 each with only 200 tickets sold. The grand prize is $5,000. 

Prince of Peace Parish, Lewiston

The Knights of Columbus and Prince of Peace Parish will hold their annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner on Saturday, March 15, at 5 p.m. in the hall of Holy Family Church, 607 Sabattus Street in Lewiston. Along with the corned beef and cabbage dinner, there will be music and entertainment. The cost is $12 for adults and $7 for children under 12, with a maximum of $35 per family (adults and children). Walk-ins are welcome, but there is a seating capacity of 200, so buying tickets in advance is recommended. FMI: 207-777-1200 or [email protected]. To register: https://princeofpeace.me/saint-patrick-meal.

St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Norway

The Norway Knights of Columbus are hosting a corned beef and cabbage supper on Saturday, March 15, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., in the St. Catherine of Sienna Church hall. The menu includes corned beef & cabbage, potatoes, carrots, drinks, and desserts. Donations wil be accepted and go to support the Knights' charitable causes.

Monday, March 17

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland

Bishop James Ruggieri will celebrate a St. Patrick's Day Mass at 12:15 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street in Portland.

St. Patrick Church, Newcastle

St. Patrick Church in Newcastle will hold its annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner on March 17 in Cheverus Hall, 380 Academy Hill Road in Newcastle. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. The menu includes corned beef (or chicken), cabbage, vegetables, and dessert. The evening also includes live Irish music and raffles The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children age 17 and under.  Pick up tickets following weekend Masses at the church or call 207-682-0138.

Saturday, March 22

St. Joseph Parish, Bridgton

The Bridgton / Fryeburg Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a corned beef and cabbage dinner on Saturday, March 22, at 5 p.m., following the 4 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph Church, 225 South High Street in Bridgton. Enjoy corned beef and cabbage, carrots, and dessert. 

St. Matthew Parish, Limerick

The St. Matthew Funshine Fair Committee will hold its second annual corned beef dinner and silent auction on Saturday, March 22, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., in the hall of St. Matthew Church, 19 Dora Lane in Limerick. The meal will include corned beef, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and turnips.