St. Patrick (387-493) was born in Kilpatrick, Scotland, to Roman-British
parents. He was kidnapped by Irish raiders at the age of sixteen and
sold as a slave to a Druid high priest. He worked as a shepherd and
spent much time in prayer as he labored in the fields. He also acquired a
perfect knowledge of the Celtic language and the Druid cult, which
later enabled him to evangelize the Celtic people. After six years of
slavery, an angel told him to flee his oppressive master and return to
his native land. Upon returning to Britain, Patrick desired to devote
himself to God's service. He went to France and placed himself under the
direction of St. Germain, who ordained him a priest and sent him to
evangelize the pagans
in Ireland. St. Patrick devoted the rest of his life to converting the
island to Christianity. He was ordained a bishop and himself ordained
many priests. He divided the country into dioceses, held local Church
councils, founded monasteries, and urged the people to greater holiness.
He suffered much opposition from the Druids and occult magicians, who,
threatened by Christianity, conjured demonic power to defy
Patrick. However, the prayer, faith, fearlessness, and episcopal
authority of Patrick triumphed, and he was so successful in his endeavor
that in the Middle Ages Ireland became known as the Land of Saints, and
himself the "Apostle of Ireland." Later, the missionaries sent from
Ireland to Europe were largely responsible for the Christianizing of the
continent. St. Patrick's feast day is March 17th.
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