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'''Saint Patrick''' (''Naomh Pádraig'') of [[Ireland]] was a [[Catholic]] [[missionary]] who travelled to Ireland in the early-or-mid 5th Century AD to complete the work of the [[Bishop Palladius]], who had earlier been charged by the [[Pope]] with the task of evangelising Ireland. Patrick is believed to have converted virtually the entire island of [[Ireland]] to [[Christianity]]. Much about him remains a mystery, though some of his personal writings have survived.

'''Saint Patrick''' (''Naomh Pádraig'') of [[Ireland]] was a [[Catholic]] [[missionary]] who travelled to Ireland in the early-or-mid 5th Century AD to complete the work of the [[Bishop Palladius]], who had earlier been charged by the [[Pope]] with the task of evangelising Ireland. Patrick is believed to have converted virtually the entire island of [[Ireland]] to [[Christianity]]. Much about him remains a mystery, though some of his personal writings have survived.

==Life as a Slave==

==Life as a Slave==

He was captured as a teenager during a raid on the west coast of [[Britain]] (possibly Wales, or perhaps what is now South West Scotland) by an Irish king known as [[Niall of the Nine Hostages]] and sold as a slave in Ireland, where he herded animals on Slieve Mish (''Sliabh Mis'') mountain, near Belfast. After six years of this, he escaped to Gaul ([[France]]).

He was captured as a teenager during a raid on the west coast of Britain (possibly Wales, or perhaps what is now South West Scotland) by an Irish king known as [[Niall of the Nine Hostages]] and sold as a slave in Ireland, where he herded animals on Slieve Mish (''Sliabh Mis'') mountain, near Belfast. After six years of this, he escaped to Gaul (France).

==Dream==

==Dream==

When Patrick was in his forties, he had a vivid dream that told him to return to Ireland.  He wrote in his ''Confession'':<ref name="AmericanMinute">[http://www.amerisearch.net/index.php?date=2004-03-17&view=View American Minute] for March 17th</ref>

When Patrick was in his forties, he had a vivid dream that told him to return to Ireland.  He wrote in his ''Confession'':<ref name="AmericanMinute">[http://www.amerisearch.net/index.php?date=2004-03-17&view=View American Minute] for March 17th</ref>

{{QuoteBox|In the depth of the night, I saw a man named Victoricus coming as if from Ireland, with innumerable letters, and he gave me one and while I was reading I thought I heard the voice of those near the western sea call out: 'Please, holy boy, come and walk among us again.' Their cry pierced my very heart, and I could read no more, and so I awoke.}}

{{QuoteBox|In the depth of the night, I saw a man named Victoricus coming as if from Ireland, with innumerable letters, and he gave me one and while I was reading I thought I heard the voice of those near the western sea call out: 'Please, holy boy, come and walk among us again.' Their cry pierced my very heart, and I could read no more, and so I awoke.}}

Patrick risked his life by returning to Ireland and attempting to convert the ruling Kings and Chieftains who ruled the island.  According to legend, he used the shamrock ''(seamróg)'', a small three-leafed plant that resembles a miniature clover to educate the Irish about the [[Trinity]]. However, since many of the Irish already worshiped a [[Goddess]], [[Brigid]], with three forms, it is unlikely that the Irish needed the idea of three parts in one god explained to them.

Patrick risked his life by returning to Ireland and attempting to convert the ruling Kings and Chieftains who ruled the island.  According to legend, he used the shamrock ''(seamróg)'', a small three-leafed plant that resembles a miniature clover to educate the Irish about the Trinity. However, since many of the Irish lready worshiped a [[Goddess]], [[Brigid]], with three forms, it is unlikely that the Irish needed the idea of three parts in one god explained to them.

==Conversion==

==Conversion==

{{QuoteBox|Patrick the sinner, an unlearned man to be sure. None should ever say that it was my ignorance that accomplished any small thing, it was the gift of God.}}

{{QuoteBox|Patrick the sinner, an unlearned man to be sure. None should ever say that it was my ignorance that accomplished any small thing, it was the gift of God.}}

He is believed to have died on or around March 17, 461 [[A.D.]]

He is believed to have died on or around March 17, 461 [[A.D.]]

   

*  E. A. Thompson. '' Who was Saint Patrick?‎'' (1999) 190 pages [http://books.google.com/books?id=jee3ivfHtHsC&dq=intitle:saint+intitle:patrick&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=3 excerpt and text search]  

   

   

[[Category:Saints]]

[[Category:Saints]]

[[Category:Ireland]]

[[Category:Ireland]]