Saint Patrick was a fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary and Bishop in Ireland and is one of the world's most popular saints. Known as the "Apostle of Ireland", he is the primary Patron Saint of Ireland, the other Patron Saints being Brigit of Kildare and Columba. Patrick was never formally canonized, having lived prior to the current laws of the Catholic Church in these matters. Nevertheless, he is venerated as a Saint in the Catholic Church and in the Eastern Orthodox Church, where he is regarded as equal to the apostles and Enlightener of Ireland. He is also regarded as a Saint within the framework of their respective doctrine by the Anglican Communion and the Lutheran Churches.

Patrick was born in Roman Britain. His mother was Concessa. His father Calpurnius, was described as a Decurion (Senator and tax collector) of an unspecified Romano-British city, and as a deacon; his grandfather Potitus was a priest from Bonaven Tabernia.

When he was sixteen, Patrick was captured by Irish pirates from his family's Villa at “Bannavem Taburniae” and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. At the time, Ireland was a land of Druids and pagans, but Patrick turned to God and wrote his memoir ‘The Confession’, in which he mentioned: "The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same. I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."

Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God, in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britain and was reunited with his family.

A few years after returning home, Patrick had a vision of a group of people crying out to him as 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, under whom he had studied for years. Later, he was ordained as Bishop and sent to take the Gospel to Ireland.

Patrick arrived in Slane, Ireland, on March 25, 433. Legend about his return to Ireland says that he met the chieftain 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. He converted many people to Christianity and began building churches across the country.

He baptised thousands of people, ordained priests to lead the new Christian communities, converted wealthy women - some of them became nuns, even in the face of opposition from their families. Patrick also dealt with the local Princes and converting them too.

He used to explain the Holy Trinity and entire kingdoms were converted to Christianity, after listening to his speeches. He 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, travelling and enduring much suffering, he died at Saul on March 17, 461, where he had built the first Irish church. He is believed to be buried in Down Cathedral, Downpatrick. 

Patrick was a humble, pious, gentle man, whose love and total devotion to and trust in God should be a shining example to each of us. So complete was his trust in God and of the importance of his mission, he feared nothing - not even death.

In 'The Breastplate,' Patrick's poem of faith and trust in God, he wrote: "Christ be within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ inquired, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger."

Saint Patrick is the Patron Saint of miners, excluded people, engineers, blacksmiths, barrel makers and against snakes.

Other Saints of the Day

1. Saint Gertrude of Nivelles
2. Saint Jan Sarkander
3. Saint Gabriel Lalemant
4. Saint Agricola of Châlon-sur-Saône
5. Saint Withburgh of East Anglia

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