1. St. Patrick

2. Patrick was born in Great Britain in 387. Ireland was ruled by provincial kings and local chieftains. It was a pagan country with pagan festivals and feasts.

3. Frequently, Irish raiders travelled over to Britain to capture young boys as slaves. When Patrick was 16 he was captured by one such Irish raider. Patrick was sold to Milchu, a chieftain from Co. Antrim and was forced to herd sheep on Slieve Mis (Slemish Mountain). Patrick becomes a slave

4. Patrick turns to God Patrick worked as a slave for 6 years. During his time of cruel slavery Patrick turned to God. His faith increased and he began to spend much of his time in prayer. One night Patrick had a vision. He dreamed he heard a voice telling him ‘Your ship is ready’. Patrick believed that this was a message from God calling him back home.

5. He boarded a ship set for Britain. Patrick’s visions did not stop once he returned home. One night he had a vivid dream where he heard the people on the Western seaboard of Ireland, crying out to him saying ‘We beg you, come and walk once more among us’.

6. Patrick was sent back as a Bishop to Ireland to bring the Gospel of Christ to the Irish people. Patrick then travelled to Tara, the stronghold of the pagan druids. Patrick returns to Ireland

7. Tradition states that it was at Tara that Patrick first used the shamrock to explain the mystery of the Trinity (The Father, Son and Holy Spirit). To this day the shamrock is used as a symbol of Ireland, especially on St. Patrick’s Day. The Story of the Shamrock

8. In about the year 441, Patrick spent 40 days alone on a rocky, windy mountain praying and fasting for the Irish people. The mountain is now known as Croagh Patrick, or the ‘Mountain of Patrick’. The annual pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick, on the last Sunday of July, is known as ‘Reek Sunday’. Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo

9. Patrick spent many days in a cave on an island in Lough Derg, Co. Donegal. This place has become a place of pilgrimage. Many people still go there every summer for a weekend to pray and fast. Lough Derg

10. As well as preaching, Patrick also performed many miracles and many holy wells are named after him. St. Patrick’s Wells

11. St. Patrick died in Co. Down on March 17th 461. It was in that place that he had built his first church. St. Patrick is buried in a cemetery next to Downpatrick Cathedral in Co. Down. St. Patrick’s Grave

12. Test your knowledge 1.What year was St. Patrick born? 2.Where was St. Patrick born 3.What age was St. Patrick when he was captured? 4.What was the name of the chieftain that bought Patrick? 6. What did St. Patrick work as? 7. What was the name of the mountain on which St. Patrick worked? 8. For how long was St. Patrick a slave? 9. How did God deliver His message to Patrick to return home? 10. What did Patrick use the shamrock to explain? 11. Name the mountain on which Patrick spent 40 days praying and fasting? 12. Where did St. Patrick die?