Patricius was a Roman citizen of Britain in the 5th Century. His name means "Father." When he was 16 years old, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and taken to Ireland where he was a slave for 6 years. He considered this time of his life most important because he was pratically an atheist before this happened.
Patricius was sold to a Druid tribal chieftain named Milchu. He spent six years tending his master's flocks on the slopes of the Slemish Mountain. Patricius recounts his time as a slave in his autobiography entitled 'Confessio.'
He says, “But after l had come to Ireland, it was then that I was made to shepherd the flocks day after day, and, as l did so, I would pray all the time, right through the day. More and more the love of God and fear of him grew strong within me, and as my faith grew, so the Spirit became more and more active... In snow, in frost, in rain, I would hardly notice any discomfort, and I was never slack but always full of energy. It is clear to me now, that this was due to. . .the Spirit within me.”
But Patricius' devotion to God did not go unnoticed. He soon earned the nickname "Holy Boy" among his fellow slaves.
One night during a time of prayer and fasting, Patricius wrote: "I heard in my sleep a voice saying to me: 'It is well that you fast. Soon you will go to your own country.' And again, after a short while, I heard a voice saying to me: 'See, your ship is ready.' "
Patricius escaped and traveled 200 miles cross country to the west coast. He found a ship ready to sail, but was refused passage. After a desperate prayer, he was allowed aboard.
Patrick eventually returned to his home and family. His experience under captivity changed his life and he began to study for the ministry.
Patricius dreamed one night that a man from Ireland came with some letters. And he opened up one of the letters and it said 'The Voice of the Irish.' He heard a voice speaking out of this letter that said, "Holy boy, please return to us. We need you."
As the legend goes, Patricius brought Christianity to the pagan Druids of Ireland, teaching them about the trinity by using the three-leafed shamrock as an illustration. So if you're feeling the luck of the Irish when you're drinking some green beer tonight, don't forget to toast the real Saint Patrick. ☘️
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