Who Was St. Patrick?

Sunday, is St. Patricks day. The day when people celebrate with beer, corned beef, and cabbage.  Its a day with parades and green.  I remember if you didn't wear green in school, other kids would pinch you.  It has its traditions associated with it.  I've heard, Ireland has like a 4 day celebration for this day.  But when all is said and done, can you honestly say you know who St. Patrick was?

This man was born in 387 in England, just below Hadrian's wall.  He was born in the Roman settled area of Britain, so he was probably Roman and not Irish. In addition, there is evidence, he was already a Christian before being  captured by Irish pirates in his early teens.  They took him to Ireland to work as a slave for six years.

During the  six years of working alone as a herdsman, he turned more to his religion. One night, he had a dream telling him how to escape from his captivity.  Although he escaped and returned to his family, he'd come to love the Irish spirit and vowed to return there some day.

Once he returned to his family, he studied to become a priest.  Over time, he became a bishop and eventually the Pope assigned him to Ireland.  Patrick went and worked on spreading Christianity through the countryside.  At this time, Christianity was on the rise and the old ways disappearing.  It is said that as he traveled through the countryside, he tore down anything pagan to establish the Catholic Church.  By 444 AD, He arranged for the first church to be built in Armagh.

During his time in Ireland, he baptized and confirmed people, ordained priests, established school and monestaries. It is said that during his 30 years there, he converted all the people to Christianity.  When he died in 461, he was buried in Downpatrick, in Northern Ireland. Now, he is considered the patron saint of Ireland and Engineers.

During his life time, he wrote only two books.  The first Confessio, his spiritual autobiography and Coroticus in which he complained about the treatment of Irish Christians. By the end of the seventh century, he'd become a legendary figure.  Some of the stories are that he drove all the snakes from Ireland into the sea, he raised at least 33 people from the dead, he used the three leafed clover to explain the trinity, and several other stories.

That is who St. Patrick is in a nutshell.  Check Monday's column out for actual facts about St. Patrick.  Thank you for reading.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.