The story of St. Patrick begins in what was then Roman Britian, possibly near in the modern-day village of Banwen, located in southern Wales.
Born between 385 and 386 AD, and that’s also up for debate, it’s believed his real name was Maewyn Succat. He was the son of Calpornius, who was a deacon and a decurion – which is a Roman Cavalry officer, and his wife Conchessa.
He also had a sister by the name of Darerca and today she is known as St. Darerca of Ireland, who gave birth to several children who also became saints.
As for Maewyn, he had a typical experience growing up in that era, well, that is up until he was 16, when he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland.
Maewyn was held captive in Country Antrim, forced to serve as a herdsman for a local chieftan on the slopes of Mount Slemish, and did so for a period of six years.
During his captivity, he turned to religion, with his time often spent in contemplation or prayer.
One story points to a dream he had, in which his favorite sheepdog appeared to him as an angel that told him of a nearby ship. He escaped as a stowaway and made his way back to Britian, eventually returning to his family.
In Britian, Maewyn had a dream that he was called to return to Ireland to share his faith with the Irish.
While inspired, feeling unprepared for this mission, Maewyn spend roughly twelve years in a monastery, possibly in France.
After his time abroad, he returned to Ireland as a bishop, calling himself by the name of Patrick.
His work there wasn’t always successful. At various times, he was imprisoned for upsetting local chieftans and Druids. However, he always won his freedom through either escape or presenting them with gifts.
During his life, he preached and baptized people throughout Ireland and established several hundred churches, as well as schools and monasteries.
Nearing the end of his life, Patrick travelled to Saul, a village in County Down in Northern Ireland.
In a dream, an angel appeared to him and told him that it was there in Saul, where he would die.
His last rites were given by St. Tussach and he died on March 17th, 461.
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