Saint Patrick

Bishop

Feast Day

March 17

Life

385–461

Born

Roman Britain (traditional)

Patrick was born in Roman Britain late in the fourth century, the son of a deacon named Calpurnius and grandson of a priest named Potitus. In his autobiographical Confessio, written near the end of his life, he records that at age sixteen he was captured by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland, where for six years he tended sheep and underwent a profound conversion to faith in Christ.

Following a vision, he escaped to a port some two hundred miles away, returned to his family, and was eventually ordained to the priesthood. After a second vision in which he heard the Irish calling him back, he was consecrated bishop and sent as a missionary to Ireland, traditionally placed in 432.

The Confessio and his Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus are the only writings certainly his. They describe his baptism of thousands, his ordination of clergy, his establishment of monasteries, and his sufferings at the hands of both Irish chieftains and British detractors. His mission centered on Armagh, which became the primatial see of Ireland.

Tradition places his death on March 17, 461, at Saul in present-day County Down. His cult, celebrated since the seventh century in Ireland, was extended by Pope Urban VIII to the universal Latin Church through inclusion in the Roman calendar, and he is honored as the principal patron of Ireland.