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St. Patrick

St. Patrick

St. Patrick

Feastday: March 17
Patron of Ireland
b. 387 d.461

St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints.

Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461.

Along with St. Nicholas and St. Valentine, the secular world shares our love of these saints. This is also a day when everyone's Irish.

There are many legends and stories of St. Patrick, but this is his story.

Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies.

As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.

During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote

"The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same." "I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."

Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britian, where he reunited with his family.

He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more."

He began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years.

Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick.

Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message.

Patrick by now had many disciples, among them Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac, (all later canonized as well).

Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.

He died at Saul, where he had built the first church.

Why a shamrock?

Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and has been associated with him and the Irish since that time.

In His Footsteps:

Patrick was a humble, pious, gentle man, whose love and total devotion to and trust in God should be a shining example to each of us. He feared nothing, not even death, so complete was his trust in God, and of the importance of his mission.


St. Patrick
 
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161 Comments

  1. emma
    June 30th, 2008 2:41 am

    l need a saint to do a assignment.

  2. J A Robson
    July 8th, 2008 9:55 am

    What can you tell me of the history of the ancient Chapel dedicated to St Patrick ( no remains )built in the parish of Kirkpatrick, Closeburn,Thornhill, Dfs & Galloway. The Chapel apparently gave its name to the ancient family of Kirkpatrick of Closeburn Castle nearby, and the village and the farm of Kirkpatrick.

  3. morgan
    July 30th, 2008 10:21 pm

    this is a GREAT page, i am doing a project on him and this helps lots!! :))

  4. morgan
    July 30th, 2008 10:23 pm

    this is a GREAT website, im doing a project on a saint and this helps LOTS :))

  5. Brendan
    August 4th, 2008 8:26 am

    With regards to "Patrick dying at Saul" Local tradition has it that Patrick died at Raholp which is about 1/2mile down the road from Saul and where, to this day, the remains of what is believed to be the oldest Church in Ireland, St. Tassach's Church, are to be found. St. Tassach, Patrick's first convert, gave Patrick the Last Rites, according to tradition. NB. "Tassach" is also "Tassac" depending on whether one uses New Irish Gaelic or Old Irish Gaelic. NB. Raholp is also believed, through tradition, to be the place on Strangford Lough where St. Patrick first arrived to convert the Irish, walking up the now known "Myra Road" to where St. Tassach’s Church ruins now stand on St. Patrick's Road.

  6. kiddnapper
    August 16th, 2008 5:06 pm

    what was st patrick terrible sin he committed to get himself kiddnapped by yhe kings of CELTIC IRELAND HE WAS A ROMAN.

  7. CELTIC
    August 16th, 2008 5:13 pm

    A FREE IRELAND NO MORE WHO ENDED THE CELTIC REALM ? THERE WERE NO SNAKES IN IRELAND ONLY THE ROMANS.

  8. marcellino
    August 20th, 2008 5:06 pm

    i think that the saint is the best.

  9. Mr.Dude
    August 24th, 2008 4:59 pm

    i think that saint Patrick was an awesome dude. Rock on.

  10. Patrick
    August 28th, 2008 12:04 am

    my name is Patrick and I'm Irish. I think he rocks. He drove away all the snakes in Ireland too.

  11. Rachael
    August 31st, 2008 1:21 am

    I am born on st patricks day which is the 17th of March and i feel a special connection to him due to this. he was a great man

  12. P-Money
    September 10th, 2008 3:45 pm

    St. Patrick is really cool. I had to research him for a power point project. I'm glad I chose him !!!! :)

  13. jennifer
    October 6th, 2008 4:41 pm

    i am doing a report on him too because he is cool nice and because i am irsh

  14. Kathy
    October 7th, 2008 12:28 pm

    Great site! Helped me lotsss =]

  15. patrick
    October 9th, 2008 12:27 pm

    patrick is da best i did a project on him and got an A+!

  16. isis and molly
    October 15th, 2008 6:03 am

    i love ireland because im irish and i love patrick good old patrick, the best saint ever because he is irish and i'm irish. : ) xxx

  17. Andrew
    October 19th, 2008 2:03 pm

    Patrick is Scottish Isis and Molly. He just lived in Ireland for a long time.

  18. Doctor Theodore Cooper
    October 20th, 2008 7:15 am

    ALthough Saint Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland that does not make him Irish he was actually born in Scotland which would make him Scottish.

  19. AJ
    October 20th, 2008 3:01 pm

    Just because a saint has the same background as you doesn't mean you should pick him. Picking a saint should be about being inspired of what they have done not because they have the same background as you

  20. marcel
    October 21st, 2008 3:36 pm

    he is cool by how he converted almost all of Ireland

  21. marcinser
    October 25th, 2008 10:23 am

    this is a GREAT page, i am doing a project on him and this helps lots!! :))

  22. Dylan Barkey
    October 27th, 2008 10:11 am

    WOOOOHOOOO SAINT PATRICK XD

  23. Hershey Candy
    October 27th, 2008 4:04 pm

    i did this for a project on him and i got a good grade!!!!!!!!! :) :) :)

  24. denice sanchez
    October 27th, 2008 7:42 pm

    i like st. patrick 'cause he's named after my brother

  25. shauna
    October 28th, 2008 1:57 pm

    This really helped!

  26. Connor Barkely
    October 29th, 2008 6:23 am

    this page helped me on a report it is great

  27. kayla rodriguez
    November 1st, 2008 2:46 pm

    this is the most helpful resource on st.patrick i could find. thanks!

  28. kayrod
    November 1st, 2008 2:49 pm

    this was so helpful. i got an a on my project thanks to this

  29. bob zing
    November 10th, 2008 4:33 pm

    I love Saint Patrick!!!!! He's my favorite saint!!!!!

  30. chris
    November 12th, 2008 4:36 pm

    This is a great website

  31. Briana Muniz
    November 14th, 2008 8:21 am

    Thanks I got to take notes on this it was very helpful.

  32. Lindsey
    November 17th, 2008 6:34 pm

    Thank you SO much for this...The life of St. Patrick is so confusing from other sources! this is very straight forward and understandable!

  33. lisa nguyen
    November 20th, 2008 6:31 pm

    this was helpful it help me with my book report alot!!!!!!!

  34. Macey
    November 23rd, 2008 10:39 am

    I Loved this article it made my Saint report so easy then i thought it would be

  35. jade
    December 1st, 2008 8:11 pm

    this was a big help. thank you so much from.

  36. Matt
    December 2nd, 2008 7:34 pm

    that rocks...

  37. Anthony
    December 12th, 2008 4:14 pm

    Thank you for the great info for my report

  38. your mom
    December 15th, 2008 8:09 am

    i copied and pasted :0

  39. Kathleen and Katelyn
    December 16th, 2008 5:21 am

    this website is bomb.

  40. leslie
    January 5th, 2009 8:58 am

    thnx for the info its great, but i wish i knew the author for my biblio.

  41. kelly
    January 19th, 2009 11:19 am

    was very helpful!!! loved it

  42. Lola
    January 21st, 2009 4:03 pm

    very nice site and info!!!!!!!

  43. Rachael
    February 4th, 2009 7:23 am

    it was very help full for my work

  44. BOB WANG
    February 14th, 2009 8:22 pm

    thanks.. this was heaps helpful :D

  45. Lynn Carver
    February 24th, 2009 7:54 pm

    This was very interesting I never knew the history behind St Patricks Day. Thank You

  46. minnie
    February 26th, 2009 3:08 pm

    it was really good at least i got my religion assignment done 4 school

  47. dylan
    February 27th, 2009 5:27 am

    thnx 4 all the help! this was verrrrry interesting (:

  48. polly
    March 1st, 2009 9:45 pm

    it's a good site but i still don't know what the snakes have to do with it? if you know could you please tell me!

  49. christina
    March 2nd, 2009 1:48 pm

    thanks so much it helped me with my report for skool!

  50. cheyenne
    March 3rd, 2009 7:15 pm

    thx sooooooooooo much. i luv st. Patrick!

  51. Marcella
    March 5th, 2009 4:57 am

    thanks so much it helped me with my report for school!

  52. gufhuhkuhuuuuuuuuuu
    March 10th, 2009 2:56 pm

    thanks i needed it for school you should get a picture when he was a young boy

  53. yasminnnnnn
    March 10th, 2009 4:39 pm

    THANX IT HELPED ME 4 MY 5 FACTS OF ST.PATRICK1!!

  54. Sian O' Neill
    March 11th, 2009 9:19 am

    thanks this really helped with my homework!!!! :)

  55. Jocelyn Rodriguez
    March 11th, 2009 12:44 pm

    Thanx it helped me alot on my homework

  56. Samantha Lopez
    March 13th, 2009 11:51 am

    thanks! it really helped me on my five paragraph essay

  57. Amy Brennan
    March 14th, 2009 12:26 pm

    thanks i got an A+ on my essay!!!

  58. Liki
    March 15th, 2009 7:31 pm

    !!!!Thanks it really helped me with my homework!!!!

  59. kayla
    March 16th, 2009 9:33 am

    thanks this helped me very much

  60. Candy Garcia
    March 16th, 2009 7:00 pm

    really helped me learn about St.Patrick

  61. Martin Acuna,Jr
    March 16th, 2009 7:02 pm

    Thanks this helped me and my Mom learn about what St.Patrick's Day is all about.

  62. caleb kittle
    March 16th, 2009 7:38 pm

    It helped me with my work.thanks!!!

  63. Amanda
    March 17th, 2009 8:12 am

    This site was very helpful!

  64. Patrick Mascarenhas
    March 17th, 2009 10:23 am

    I was born on St Patrick's Day and was named after this Great Saint....may St Patrick continue to Inspire and Bless me Patrick

  65. Freddy Jackson
    March 17th, 2009 10:34 am

    This website was a huge help to my mother and I. She teaches a religious education class and this website helped her explain St. Patrick to them. Thanks!

  66. cait
    March 17th, 2009 11:42 am

    this website is awesome. it helps me so much

  67. Scott Tucker
    March 17th, 2009 1:26 pm

    Quote from the text: "Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick." How is this possible? The name "Kilpatrick" is the anglican form of "cill Padraig", which is Gaelic for "The Church of (Saint) Patrick".

  68. Tom
    March 17th, 2009 2:22 pm

    Other sources have him born in 390 at Bannaventa, close to the Scotland/England border.

  69. Diarmo
    March 17th, 2009 3:20 pm

    this is a great site I am making my confo on saturday and needed info on saint Patrick ... Thank You so much

  70. nhchd
    March 17th, 2009 3:44 pm

    I think your site is cool

  71. NELL Patrick
    March 17th, 2009 4:07 pm

    i was aways told that kirk is the prefix in the scotish kirkpatrick which means of the church i say this because my family name was kirkpatrick and it is scotish

  72. flo boss
    March 17th, 2009 7:11 pm

    I am not Catholic; I am a Lutheran, but I greatly admire the Catholic church, and one of my sisters converted to Catholicism and it was very dear to her. I wanted some info to share with my little grandson on St. Patrick and I just wanted you to know that I thank you for this info and may God bless you and this web site.

  73. junel benar
    March 17th, 2009 7:13 pm

    I was primarily opted to research about Saint Patrick for my birthday falls into his feast day. I wonder why the United States looks up to this day (March 17) so gleefully. I discovered that it is Saint Patrick's Day so I tried to google his identity and works. I can say that I am very proud of Saint Patrick and all that he's done. I commend this website for containing relevant information that really helped me in one way or another. Thanks a lot!

  74. brownieclaremont@yahoo.com
    March 17th, 2009 7:14 pm

    that should read, "my mother and me."

  75. brownieclaremont
    March 17th, 2009 7:16 pm

    It's "an assignment," dear,

  76. March 18th, 2009 8:39 am

    this was a wonderful piece of information and i hope you write more

  77. Mypat
    March 18th, 2009 9:27 am

    What about the snakes and St. Patrick?

  78. monae felix
    March 20th, 2009 11:41 am

    i love Saint Patrick it also helped me with my 5 paragraph essay.

  79. Leyna
    March 20th, 2009 11:51 am

    this really helped me in my 5 paragraph eassy i learned a lot about St. patrick

  80. liliane bassil
    March 22nd, 2009 10:06 am

    john paul 2 pray for us and for the the world. bless our sicks and help them.

  81. March 23rd, 2009 10:03 am

    you rock!

  82. ???
    March 24th, 2009 1:46 am

    Thanks alot. This stuff really helps in My Confirmation saint project! YAY!

  83. purp......
    March 31st, 2009 3:44 pm

    thanks for helping me.....

  84. seymor
    April 2nd, 2009 6:37 am

    i love this website....god bless

  85. iopu
    April 4th, 2009 8:07 pm

    this helped me a ton with my confirmation saint project also

  86. grove st.
    April 14th, 2009 5:57 pm

    this helped so much thanks

  87. ereahdh
    April 27th, 2009 7:57 am

    this helped alot with my confirmation saint project thanks

  88. amber
    May 3rd, 2009 6:35 pm

    this website is very much helpful thank you for your help god bless you!!!! amber

  89. luke mccormack
    May 4th, 2009 3:18 am

    this helped me heaps with my saints confirmation assignment so thankx alot guys your the best =}

  90. seymor
    May 7th, 2009 5:44 am

    i love this website.. he so cool and i want to just like him when i grow up

  91. Brayden
    May 11th, 2009 1:55 pm

    Thanks for the info. It helped me on my religion project on st.patrick.

  92. lachie
    May 18th, 2009 3:09 am

    it was really helpful with my saints project:)

  93. jessica
    May 20th, 2009 11:06 pm

    this was the best website to get my saints assignment

  94. christian from ncc
    May 24th, 2009 8:58 pm

    i love this site. it helped me alot thx :-)

  95. June 3rd, 2009 4:20 pm

    good site

  96. sarah : )
    June 14th, 2009 9:04 pm

    this was the best site for my assignment : P thanks heaps ly xx

  97. jordan
    June 15th, 2009 2:12 am

    i love this website it helps me with my saints project THX

  98. $cott capo
    June 16th, 2009 9:54 pm

    this will help me with my school work thx guys xoxo

  99. jessieeeee
    June 17th, 2009 2:22 am

    this site helped me heaps with my assignment. it was the only good site i could find!

  100. bob
    June 17th, 2009 5:34 am

    this website is very holy and i have become a saint from it thank you very much GOD!!!!!

  101. james
    June 17th, 2009 6:06 am

    this is so good this website i got a+ gi gi gi go

  102. FROM ALL AT EMMANUEL
    June 22nd, 2009 2:06 am

    THIS WEB SITE ROCKS THANKZZZZZZZZ 4 ALL DA HELP

  103. thanks it helped alot with my project
    July 6th, 2009 7:55 am

    thanks it helped alot with my project

  104. From Club Penguin star Hughbear2
    August 10th, 2009 12:12 am

    THANKZZZZZZZZ THIS HELPED ME SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH WITH MY PROJECT ON SAINT PATRICK SO THANKZZZZZZZZZZZ A LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  105. Madison
    August 19th, 2009 1:22 pm

    St.Patrick rocks

  106. robit nehlinktion
    August 29th, 2009 9:26 pm

    i loved the info. it was quite chaa. numanessence. llama llama duck! thabalot

  107. September 1st, 2009 6:54 pm

    thanks a lot!

  108. jack derftf
    September 14th, 2009 4:20 pm

    i like this website but it would be nice if more info was on saint Patrick (the rock)

  109. patguy
    September 15th, 2009 6:21 am

    PATRICK IS SO COOL

  110. Alan Bourbeau
    September 17th, 2009 12:51 am

    Since I'm Irish, i consider him my favorite saint because he always scare away the snakes. If any snake tries to attack me or anything, I'll pray to him.

  111. Ruby
    October 7th, 2009 9:04 am

    He is so awesome

  112. Bob Joe
    October 13th, 2009 10:13 am

    this was very good info

  113. John c boltimor
    October 13th, 2009 6:44 pm

    I like him because he ate the evil snakes

  114. Shannon
    October 19th, 2009 12:31 pm

    He is my fav saint

  115. MIGUEL
    October 21st, 2009 10:42 am

    awesome info but it doesn't have his feast day on it

  116. Kirra
    October 21st, 2009 6:30 pm

    This is the best website

  117. Jimmy
    October 24th, 2009 5:22 pm

    its st. patricks day march 17

  118. Jake
    October 26th, 2009 8:37 am

    I love this website

  119. albert
    November 1st, 2009 10:43 am

    st. Patrick is so cool

  120. Eddie
    November 4th, 2009 7:32 pm

    Yes. St. Patrick is cool.

  121. ELISE
    November 5th, 2009 6:22 pm

    ST. PATRICK IS AWESOME!!!!!!!! THIS WEBSITE IS SO HELPFUL

  122. ben
    November 8th, 2009 1:53 pm

    st. pat is so cool

  123. LaLa
    November 10th, 2009 3:20 pm

    Saint Patrick is my patron saint. He ROCKS!

  124. Vincertn
    November 11th, 2009 12:17 am

    WOW!!!!

  125. Ice Cube
    November 15th, 2009 4:19 pm

    st Patrick is my favorite saint he is my patron saint!

  126. aidan johnson
    November 19th, 2009 9:48 am

    this is the best website in the world on him and this made my project a lot easier

  127. Bartiaclte Pendlaisls
    November 27th, 2009 6:02 am

    Who wrote this article???????? I NEED to know!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!! Thank You.

  128. killer312
    December 4th, 2009 9:36 am

    this is an amazing article really helped me pass my project

  129. casimir krolak
    January 17th, 2010 1:25 pm

    Where is St. Patrick buried, no one seems to have this information?

  130. Par155
    February 28th, 2010 1:54 pm

    Yes i also need to know who wrote this for my report and the date it was done

  131. shashura
    March 2nd, 2010 8:07 am

    this site was very helpful but could you please out the date it was written and the authors name thank you and god bless

  132. Jack Tubio
    March 18th, 2010 7:59 am

    I LOVE UR WEBSITE!!!!

  133. Dedog95
    March 18th, 2010 8:04 am

    This website is soooo awesome

  134. nabila
    March 18th, 2010 4:04 pm

    great site! Thx :)

  135. sophie
    March 21st, 2010 1:18 am

    this is a great website it teaches me heaps

  136. bob
    March 23rd, 2010 11:56 am

    this site is good for reports...its short and sweet

  137. anna
    March 23rd, 2010 10:18 pm

    awesome site! i got heaps of info =)

  138. alexis
    March 26th, 2010 2:05 am

    i need to make a bibliography, and i would like to know the author's name?

  139. Michael Michael colaway
    March 28th, 2010 1:04 am

    This is a great website and easy saint for my assignment.

  140. dillokool
    March 28th, 2010 12:09 pm

    thnx this site it helped me 4 me speech and i got kool info!

  141. Victoria
    April 5th, 2010 7:41 pm

    this website helped me with my Ireland project.

  142. MacTac859
    April 10th, 2010 12:15 pm

    This really helped wit my confirmation saint report St Pat RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLESSSSSSSS!!!

  143. Ryan
    April 11th, 2010 8:31 am

    This website is great. It helped me a lot with my CCD report.

  144. ck
    April 16th, 2010 7:37 pm

    I thought this was the most useful information I could find for this is the saint my son picked for conformation....Thanks!!!

  145. ulga
    April 21st, 2010 7:53 pm

    this was really helpful

  146. jack
    May 2nd, 2010 10:32 pm

    Thanks for the info ;)

  147. Madalena O'Neill
    May 6th, 2010 6:18 pm

    This article is very important for my work. But I would like to mention the name of the author in the book that I'm writing.Thank you, Madalena

  148. Madalena O'Neill
    May 6th, 2010 6:24 pm

    Helpful article for my work. I would like to know the name of the author. Thank you, Madalena.

  149. sonya
    May 8th, 2010 2:43 am

    My son has chosen St Patrick to be his confirmation saint name. It was great to learn more about St Patrick. Thanks

  150. Rachel
    May 10th, 2010 2:11 am

    Thanks for the info helped SO much!!!!!!!!!

  151. lily
    May 12th, 2010 5:43 pm

    does anyone know who the author of this is? i need it for a school project. thank you

  152. Locky
    May 13th, 2010 2:39 am

    This helped a lot with my saint assignment.

  153. i am cool
    May 18th, 2010 1:50 pm

    st. Patrick is a coool guy

  154. patrick Mulqueeney
    May 18th, 2010 9:20 pm

    Wow im doing an assignment on saint Patrick and this is very helpful

  155. River
    May 19th, 2010 9:34 am

    I am n 6th grade and this page helped me so much.

  156. rachel
    May 31st, 2010 6:04 pm

    thaks so muchh =] this is helping me on my 3=page essay...which is due tomorrow

  157. Alannah
    June 2nd, 2010 4:16 am

    This site is helpful. I am really glad I found this because lots of sites have fake information. I am doing a oral presentation on him so this is a great start Thank-you XD

  158. tanya
    June 3rd, 2010 6:29 am

    it was very good as i needed it for a test thank u xoxoxox

  159. brandon
    June 14th, 2010 11:56 am

    im doing a project on him, this is very helpful

  160. James
    August 22nd, 2010 11:29 pm

    Im doing a project on him this site rocks!!! :)

  161. Whammo Jammo Lamb
    August 26th, 2010 12:04 am

    St Patick rules!!!!!!!!!! He is awsome!!! I love him !!

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