St. Patrick of Ireland

Patrick was the son of a Christian family in Roman Britain. At sixteen he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and spent six years as a shepherd-slave, where he learned to pray, by his own account, a hundred times a day and as often at night. He escaped and came home, and then in a dream he heard the Irish calling him back. He returned as a bishop, baptized thousands, and ordained clergy across Ireland. His own Confession, still read today, is one of the few writings of the 5th century in a saint’s own words. He died at Saul near Downpatrick.

• Feast: March 17 (New Calendar)
• Lived: 5th century
• Place: Downpatrick, Ireland