Some histories say that St. Patrick was born in Scotland, while others say England. Either way, the patron saint of Ireland was not a native son.
His birth is listed as somewhere between the late three and early four hundreds AD.
It is said that, as a young teen he was captured and enslaved in Ireland for about half a dozen years.
After having a dream or vision he felt he needed to flee and return home, which he accomplished successfully.
It was in England where he began to study, eventually becoming a minister/priest, who may even have been commissioned by Pope Celestine I.
Patrick returned to the place which was once his prison home, Ireland, this time as a missionary. He traveled throughout Ireland, sharing the love of Christ to the nation who largely held to the pagan beliefs of the Druids. He is said to have, single handedly, brought Christianity to the island nation.
It is believed that Patrick died on March 17, at an old age, and of nature causes.
There are many legends surrounding this man, and his work in Ireland. One such legend is that St. Patrick is said to have used the three-leafed clover/shamrock as a prop to illustrate and explain the trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
“No one should ever say
that it was my ignorance
if I did or showed forth anything however small
according to God’s good pleasure;
but let this be your conclusion and let it so be thought, that
– as is the perfect truth –
it was the gift of God.”
Saint Patrick
