Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. He is the patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick鈥檚 Day is celebrated on the 17th of March every year.
Scholars believe Patrick was born around The letters AD stand for 鈥榓nno Domini鈥 which is Latin for 鈥榠n the year of the Lord鈥. 373 near Bannavem Taburniae (which cannot be accurately placed on a map of England or Wales today).
When he was 16 years old he was captured by Irish pirates, enslaved and taken to Ireland. He would later reflect on this as a punishment for his lack of faith.
He was forced to work on Slemish Mountain, in County Antrim, where he looked after sheep and pigs. During this time, he would pray.
I used to stay out in the forests and on the mountain and I would wake up before daylight to pray in the snow, in icy coldness, in rain, and I used to feel neither ill nor any slothfulness, because, as I now see, the Spirit was burning in me at that time.
After six years he finally managed to escape Ireland by boarding a boat to Britain.
After returning home he became a priest and felt called in a dream to return to Ireland.
I seemed to hear the voice of those who were beside the forest of Foclut which is near the western sea, and they were crying as if with one voice: 'We beg you, holy youth, that you shall come and shall walk again among us'.
Back in Ireland Patrick preached the message of Christianity to thousands of people. However, it was not an easy job and often his life was in danger from local people who rejected his message.
It is believed that the people of Ireland followed Celtic polytheism (belief in many gods) and this led to conflict with Patrick鈥檚 message of monotheism (belief in one God).
Patrick concentrated much of his work around Saul (his first church) and Downpatrick, where it is believed he is buried.
He famously used the shamrock leaf to explain the nature of the Three Persons in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.. By using the one leaf which has three parts, he effectively explained this difficult Christian concept.
There are a number of legends associated with Saint Patrick, perhaps the most famous being that he drove the snakes from Ireland. One account says that he stood on a hill and drove them into the sea.
Many Christians regard Patrick as a good example of a Christian because:
- He helped people to understand the Bible in a way that had meaning to them.
- He challenged injustice and evil, as all Christians should do.
- He was willing to go to Ireland even when it was a difficult task.
- He was faithful in his service of God and in prayer.
- He told others about Jesus, even when it was not well received.