40 Ideas for 40 Days – Lenten Activities: A Spiritual St. Patrick’s Day Activity

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St. Patrick’s Day falls smack dab in the middle of Lent and, for many, is seen as a “day off” from Lent. A quick search for St. Patrick’s Day activities reveals mainly opportunities to color shamrocks, leprechauns, rainbows, and pots of gold; very little of spiritual value is offered. As catechists, we can still have fun with our young people on St. Patrick’s Day while also teaching something of spiritual value. Here are a few brief ideas, constituting your next Lenten Activity.

A Spiritual St. Patrick’s Day

  • St. Patrick, who was not Irish, was held as a slave in Ireland for 6 years. Upon gaining his freedom, he entered the Church and then decided to return to Ireland, holding no grudge. St. Patrick’s Day, therefore, is a good opportunity to focus on the idea of forgiveness and letting go of grudges.
  • St. Patrick is responsible for the conversion of countless numbers of people. Lent, of course, is a time of conversion for all of us. St. Patrick’s Day is a good opportunity to focus on our own call to conversion.
  • St. Patrick is known for his famous prayer: the Breastplate of St. Patrick. St. Patrick’s Day is a great opportunity to introduce young people to this prayer and to invite them to take it to heart (memorize it).
  • St. Patrick was a missionary and St. Patrick’s Day is a perfect day for inviting our young people to pray for missionaries and to learn about Catholic missionary activity.
  • St. Patrick is known for using a 3-leaf clover to explain the Trinity…use this day as an opportunity to help young people understand the Mystery of the Trinity: Three Persons in One God – a loving community of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • On St. Patrick’s Day, we celebrate all things Irish. One popular symbol of Irish heritage is the Celtic Cross. Invite children to create a Celtic Cross. Instructions may be found by doing a Web search.

St. Patrick’s Day does not have to be a day off from Lent; it can be a wonderful opportunity to teach about our Catholic faith.


40 Ideas for 40 Days
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40 Ideas for 40 Days
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About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

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