SAINT PATRICK, PATRON OF THE IRISH

385-461 a.d.

Most of what we know about Patrick

comes from his book of

confessions

Tírechán, bishop in Ireland writes - "I found four names for Patrick written in the book of Ultán, bishop of the tribe of Conchobar:

1 - holy Magonus (that is, "famous"); 2 - Succetus (that is, the god of war);

3 - Patricius (that is, father of the citizens); 4 - Cothirtiacus (because he served four houses of druids

Banna venta berniae Ravenglass, Cumbria, UK

Patrick’s birth place is debated

Some say he was born

in Dumbarton on the Clyde

in the year 373 or 385

Or maybe at Glastonbury, Somerset

Maybe in South Wales

His mother, Concessa was

related to Saint Martin of

Tours

His father, Calpurnicus was a Roman magistrate and a Christian Deacon, son of the presbyter

Potitus

At that time Celtic pirates frequently raided the coast and carried off children to be sold as slaves

Patrick was taken and sold

to Milchu, a druid or king

of the Dal Riada

He minded sheep in Slemish, Antrim for six years,

bearing the bad weather and bad treatment.

Patrick dreampt of his family and

home. He hearned the

native Gaelic language and also

found consolation in prayer

He finally escaped, and travelled 200 km to the south, and boarded a boat bound

for France

It’s believed he studied at Lerins,

3 years and then at

Auxerre for 15 years.

He entered the monastery of his uncle Martin, and

later studied under Germanius.

He still dreamed of his time spent in Ireland with the Celtic people.

They seemed to call him to return and teach them the faith.

He went to Rome, and was commissioned by Pope Celestinus

with the mission of preaching the faith to the Irish

In Patrick’s time, Ireland was

divided into 5 kingdoms.

The king of Meath was the High King

over the kings of Ulster, Leinster,

Munster and Connacht.

He landed near the Boyne estuary, the region of the High King Laoire, about the year 432 a.d.

Speaking in their native Gaelic, he was initially successful,

but soon he met with the opposition

of the pagan druids.

When the druids were about to light their May fire, they saw another fire blazing on the Hill of Slane.

Patrick was commemorating the Easter vigil, in honour of Christ’s resurrection.

The king sent for the bishop to be brought to his presence to explain this.

Patrick used a 3 leafed shamrock to explain the doctrine of the trinity

to the High King Laoire. He obtained permission to preach his mission throughout the island.

He travelled extensively on

the island,

preaching the faith

He baptised thousands, including

kings and their daughters

Legend has it that Patrick

banished the snakes from

Ireland.

More probably the snakes are

a symbol of the pagan

culture and sin.

Patrick died at Downpatrick in the year 451 a.d.

The faith planted by Patrick has

flourished especially in the

6th – 7th century.

Ireland became a centre

of Christian learning and the monastic

missions brought the faith to Britain and

the continent.

His legacy remains to this day in the

heart of many Irishmen and women

The Book of Kells

Monasteries founded by irish monks on

the continent

Saint Brendan preparing to set voyage with his monks

Irish priests at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome