Origin and Enslavement

Patrick was born in Roman Britain (Scotland), to parents who were Romans. As a young boy, just fourteen years old, Patrick was taken captive by raiders and hauled off to tend sheep as a slave in Ireland. At that time, Ireland was a land filled by pagans and Druids. While in captivity, he learned their language and customs. At the same time, Patrick would pray frequently to God. His love was so great that his faith grew large and he prayed even more often, almost continuously.

Visions and Ordination

A few years later, when he was around twenty years old, Patrick had a dream in which God told him to find a way to escape. He was rescued by friendly sailors who returned him to his family in Britain. Dreams became a method for Patrick to envision his destiny, and to receive messages. One such message was that a large group of Irish people called to him to return.

“I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of them. I read the heading: ‘The Voice of the Irish.’ As I began the letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice of those very people who were near the wood of Foclut, which is beside the western sea-and they cried out, as with one voice: ‘We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us.'”

The vision prompted his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years, and was later ordained a bishop and sent to take the Gospel to Ireland.

Return to Ireland

Patrick arrived in Slane, Ireland on March 25, 433. There are several legends about what happened next, with the most prominent claiming he met the chieftan of one of the druid tribes, who tried to kill him. After an intervention from God, Patrick was able to convert the chieftain and preach the Gospel throughout Ireland. There, he converted many people—eventually thousands—and he began building churches across the country.

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

He died at Saul, where he had built the first Irish church. He is believed to be buried in Down Cathedral, Downpatrick. His grave was marked in 1990 with a granite stone.

The Shamrock

Patrick often used shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity—the three-in-one representation of God as the Father, Son and Holy Ghost; a fitting tool for a simple man who gently led tens of thousands to trust in God. Entire kingdoms were eventually converted to Christianity after hearing Patrick’s message, and the shamrock became not only a symbol of Patrick, but of Ireland itself (they even made it their official National Flower!)