St. Patrick was born to Catholic parents about 385 in Britain. His father was a nobleman and a deacon. But Patrick's privileged life came to an end at age 16 when he was captured by slave raiders from Ireland. With a large group of prisoners, he was transported to the then pagan island.
Sold as a slave to a king in the northeast, Patrick had the lonely task of tending the pigs and sheep. In the midst of these harsh living conditions, Patrick's faith flourished as he turned to God in prayer.
After being held captive for six years, he heard a voice in his sleep say, "Soon you will go back to your homeland." A short time later, he heard the same voice say, "Your ship is ready."
Trusting in God, Patrick set out on a 200-mile journey through unknown territory. When he arrived at the ship, the captain at first refused to take him. But Patrick prayed to God for help, and the captain changed his mind.
The ship landed in Gaul, France, and after suffering near starvation and another brief captivity, Patrick made his way back to his parent's house in Britain. Some time later, he had a vision: He way a man coming from Ireland with countless letters in his arms. He gave one to Patrick that was titled, "The Voice of the Irish." Reading it, he heard a multitude cry out, "We beseech you, holy youth, to come and walk once more among us."
Yet Patrick was not convinced that was his mission, until he had two more similar experiences. Because of his lack of education, he still lacked confidence for his task and spent more than 18 years studying in various abbots. Patrick grew in holiness and labored hard to prepare for the priesthood.
In 429, a gathering of British bishops discussed sending a missionary to Ireland to serve the many British slaves and few native believers there. Patrick was considered for the position, but many opposed him, saying he was only half educated, uncultured, and slow of speech. He was rejected, and St. Palladius was sent instead. Patrick, however, was ordained a year later and sent to Ireland to assist Bishop Palladius. But on the way, Patrick learned that Palladius died, and he returned home.
In 432, Patrick finally became a Bishop and was sent to Ireland. He preached the Gospel with zeal, and the first 7 years of his mission were so successful that 3 assistant bishops were sent to help him.
During his 30 years in Ireland, Patrick founded more than 300 churches and baptized more than 120,000 people. Yet he still encountered much opposition, "Daily I expect either murder, robbery, or enslavement," he wrote in his Confessions. He escaped from 12 attempts on his life.
Although some said Patrick went to Ireland to gain prominence, he was in fact, quite humble, treating the heather fairly and constantly thanking God for choosing him as the instrument to bring the Irish people to their Creator. He never accepted gifts from the people, and he even went to preach the Gospel to his former master.
His singleness of focus is apparent in this most famous prayer, "St. Patrick's Breastplate":
Christ, be with me. Christ before me, Christ behind me.
Christ is me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.
Christ on my right, Christ on my left.
Christ where I love, Christ where I sit, Christ where I rise.
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me.
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me.
Christ in every eye that sees me.
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Patrick died a natural death on March 17, 461. By the end of the 7th century, many legends had developed about him. One, of course, says he charmed all the snakes in Ireland and led them to the sea to drown. Another, probably the most popular, is that he used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to unbelievers. This is probably why shamrocks, now Ireland's national flower, are worn by the Irish on St. Patrick's Day.
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