Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick died March 17, 461 A.D., the date commonly celebrated as "St. Patrick's Day." He converted virtually the entire island of Ireland to Christianity.
He knew Ireland because he was captured as a teenager in Britain and sold as a slave in Ireland. Druids, who practiced animal sacrifice, ruled Ireland then. Patrick herded animals as a slave. After six years of that he escaped.
When Patrick was in his forties, he had a vivid dream that told him to return to Ireland. He wrote in his Confession:[1]
- 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 ferocious Druids. He used the symbol of the three-leaf clover to educate the Irish about the Trinity.
Patrick baptized 120,000 Irish and established 300 churches. According to legend, Patrick banished the snake from Ireland, as there are no snakes there to this day.
Patrick wrote about his life:[2]
- 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.
