The Story of St. Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland
Patrick was born in Wales in the year 387. When he was 16, he was captured by pagan Irish raiders and sold into slavery to a chieftain in Antrim, Ireland. He spent his teenage years up in the hills alone working as a shepherd, tending to his master's sheep. During this time, he would pray many times in a day. After 6 years being in slavery, he had a dream that he would find a ship to take him to freedom. He escaped to follow his dream. He had to travel about 200 miles before he found a ship ready to set sail.
He managed to return to his family and home. Patrick later became a priest. He began to dream of Ireland and in his dreams the people of Ireland were calling to him. After he was made a bishop, he was sent to Ireland by the pope.
He suffered many trials as a missionary in Ireland. St. Patrick was imprisoned by the Druids but managed to escape. There are also many legends which talk about the miracles and magical fights between him and the Druids. One of these tells of a time when he was confronted by a chieftain named Dichu. Dichu drew his sword to kill Patrick but could not do so because his arm became rigid until he declared himself obedient to St. Patrick. Dichu was overwhelmed by the miracle that he made a gift of a large barn. This was the first sanctuary dedicated by St. Patrick.
Another legend tells of how St. Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland. Some tales tell that he stood on a hill and used a wooden staff to drive the snakes into the sea and banished them forever from Ireland. Another legend says that the snake resisted. St. Patrick then tricked it into entering a small box and cast it into the sea. It is true that Ireland has no snakes.
However, he managed to win favour with the local kings later. He spent the next 28 years travelling across the countryside to spread the word of God. He could do this easily as he was fluent in Irish. He succeeded in converting almost the entire population of the Ireland to Christianity.
Legend has it that St. Patrick would use the shamrock to explain the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is one plant, but has three leaves just as God is one but with three separate and distinct persons.
It is believed that St. Patrick died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, on the 17 March, 461 A.D at the age of 76. He is believed to be buried in Downpatrick, County Down. This is why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day on the seventeenth of March.