St. Patrick's Day is now a big celebration on multiple continents, but how did it get going? Patrick, who died in 461 A.D., didn't launch the festivities himself. Instead, it was a 17th-century Franciscan priest, Luke Wadding, who made sure that Patrick was given a feast day. This day, of course, developed into a riotous yearly tribute -- surely more celebratory than Wadding intended.
The pious Wadding was born on Oct. 16, 1588, in the city of Waterford, on Ireland's southeastern coast. Entering a wealthy and well-connected family, he received a fine classical education and became fluent in Latin as a child. Hardship came his way at age 14, however, when both of his parents died.
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