St Patrick, Himself - Patron Saint of Ireland

stpatrick2.gif (28424 bytes) St. Patrick, Himself - Patron Saint of Ireland

St. Patrick was born in Scotland or what historians call Roman Britain, somewhere around the year 387 A.D. His real name was Maewyn Succat. He took the name of Patrick when he became a priest.

St. Patrick was born in what historians call Roman Britain, somewhere around 387 A.D. Little is knwon of his life and to this day remains unverified. His birth name is believed to be Maewyn Succat. He took the name of Patrick later sometime during his religious pursuits.

Despite both his father and grandfather being respected members of the church, Patrick's education appeared by his own admission to have been basic with little emphasis on religion.

He was kidnapped at the age of 16 by pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland. During his captivity, he began to have religious visions and found strength in his faith. He finally escaped after a voice in one of his visions told him he could. He convinced a group of sailors to let him come aboard their ship and then three days later, he and the crew abandoned the ship in France. There he wandered about for 28 days finally reuniting with his family.

Patrick departed for Auxerre, France where he studied and entered the priesthood under St. Germain. He was ordained a bishop around 418 A.D. He finally went back to Ireland and became a Christian missionary where he spent the rest of his life converting pagans, founding churches, and ordaining clergyman. In fact, he is designated as being the leader in the Christianizing of the pagan in Ireland.

He died 461 A.D., and became recognized as Ireland's patron saint. He is honored annually on March 17, St. Patrick's Day. The Irish have observed the day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. It is celebrated with a morning mass and a dinner of corned beef and cabbage.