The determination to accept suffering and success with equal indifference guided the life of God’s instrument for winning most of Ireland for Christ.

He wrote the “Confessio” which recounts most of his journey. According to it, he was born at the end of Roman rule in Britain. His father, Calpurnius, was a Senator, tax collector, and a Deacon. Regardless of his Christian background, Patrick states he was not an active believer in his youth, and considered himself to be “idle and callow”.

At the age of 16, he was captured by a group of Irish pirates from his family’s Villa at “Bannavem Taburniae.” He was taken to Ireland where he was enslaved and held captive. This time was critical for his spiritual development as he grew in prayer.

The Dál Riata raiders who kidnapped him, introduced him to the Irish culture that defined his life and reputation. He worked as a shepherd and strengthened his relationship with God through continued prayer.

At the age of 20, after a dream from God telling him to return, he escaped to a port 200 miles away where he found a ship. He convinced the captain to take him back to England and was re-united with his family.

Several years later he had a vision of the Irish people calling out for him to return. This prompted him to travel to Europe to study under Saint Germanus, who was bishop of Autissiodorum in Gaul, and he was ordained. He was later ordained as a bishop by Maximus of Turin and sent to Ireland for his ministry.

The Irish Annals, compiled by monks, date his arrival in Ireland in 432. He was not welcomed at first and faced hostility, especially from the Druid tribes. With intervention from God, the chieftain Secsnen was converted and he was allowed to begin preaching the Gospel throughout. Benin, who was the chieftain’s son, joined Patrick’s group.

As a foreigner he struggled in his travels. Various false charges were made about his and his group which he argued against and why he began the writing of “Confessio”.

All of the gifts he received, he returned or gave to those he encountered. His refusal to accept gifts from kings was not taken well and he lived without protection. Him and his followers were mocked, beaten, robbed, placed in chains, and even held captive but him and his group continued on, filled with the love for God.

“Never before did they know of God except to serve idols and unclean things. But now, they have become the people of the Lord, and are called Children of God. The sons and daughters of the leaders of the Irish are seen to be monks and virgins of Christ!”

He often used shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity, 3 persons in One God, and entire kingdoms were converted to Christianity after hearing his message.

He preached and converted all over Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote much of his love for God. After years of living in poverty, traveling, and enduring much suffering, he died on March 17, 461.

He is the patron saint of Ireland, Rolla, Missouri, engineers, paralegals, Nigeria, Montserrat, Archdiocese of New York, Archdiocese of Newark, Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Boston, Loiza, Puerto Rico, Murcia, Spain, Clann Giolla Phadraig, and Archdiocese of Melbourne.

His feast day is March 17.

For God’s Glory.