MEMORIAL: MARCH 17
It is believed St. Patrick was born in the 4th century AD in England, not Ireland. As a teenager, he was captured by Irish pirates and was forced to work as a shepherd in the land of Ireland. After about 6 years St. Patrick escaped and would eventually become a priest. At the age of 43, he was ordained a bishop.
St. Patrick remembered the people of Ireland and desired to bring Christ to their pagan nation. Upon his arrival, many converted although not without opposition. St. Patrick was responsible for ordaining priests, setting up religious communities and dioceses, and introducing chastity and celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven to the people of Ireland. Two legends that St. Patrick is famous for are using the clover to explain the Trinity and driving out all of the snakes in Ireland. St. Patrick is not only the patron saint of Ireland, but also Nigeria and engineers.
