Saint Patrick was born in Scotland and was first named Maewyn Succat around 387 A-D.
His parents were of Roman heritage living in Britain which at that time was under the rule of the Roman Empire.

When Maewyn was about sixteen years, the village he lived in was invaded by Irish raiders and he was captured and sold into slavery.

He was given the job of herding sheep throughout the woods and mountains of Ireland.

It was during his sheep herding years that Maewyn began intensely praying to God on a daily basis.

He recited hundreds of prayers each day while wandering through Ireland and built an inner relationship with God.

About six years after his captivity he had a dream which he believed was from God.

In the dream, he was directed to leave Ireland by way of the coast. Maewyn did escape and fled to Gaul.

Maewyn, became a member of the Church and studied many years to become a priest.

After twelve years of instruction under Saint Germain, Maewyn became a priest in the Roman Catholic Church.

While studying and working in the Church, he became known as Patrick. It was also during this time in which Patrick felt an inner desire to return to Ireland and convert the people to Christianity.

It was many years after he was ordained a Bishop, that Patrick’s desire was fulfilled.

He was sent to Ireland to preach the Gospel where he converted many souls to Christianity. But not all the people were excited about Bishop Patrick’s teachings. Many opposed him and on several occasions, the opposition sent Bishop Patrick to prison.

Each time of his imprisonment, he somehow escaped. Stories and myths were spread over the land about Bishop Patrick, his teachings and his escapades. As a result, his popularity grew.

Bishop Patrick built many schools, Churches and monasteries throughout Ireland which aided in the conversion of the Irish people to Christianity.

Bishop Patrick taught in Ireland for about thirty years before he died on March seventeenth, 461 A. D.

During his lifetime, he lived in poverty while traveling humbly, teaching the Irish about Christianity.

Green is the color being used today in the celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day

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