Saint Patrick
Feast Day March 17

Patron of Ireland and those who pray for conversions.

Saint Patrick gives us much more than a reason to wear green and celebrate on March 17 each year.  For those who pray constantly for someone they love to have a conversion of heart and come home to the Catholic church, the legacy he left among the people of Ireland makes him an example of what can be achieved through prayer, sacrifice, persistence, and trust in God.

Who was Saint Patrick?

Patrick was born in Scotland, in the fourth century. At age 14, he was captured and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland was then a land of pagans. Patrick prayed much during his captivity and found his faith strengthened. At age 20 he escaped because of a dream in which God told him to go to the coast where he would find his way home. Later, he became a priest and then a bishop. He returned to Ireland as a missionary and his preaching converted thousands, even entire kingdoms. He worked in Ireland for 40 years enduring much poverty and suffering. During that time, stories of many miracles performed by him were related by the people.

Prayer of St Patrick
(Abbreviated version)
ST PATRICK'S BREASTPLATE

Christ be with me, Christ within me
Christ behind me, Christ before me
Christ beside me, Christ to win me
Christ to comfort me and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger
Christ in hearts of all that love me
Christ in mouth of friend or stranger.

The Reason for the Shamrock

Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. Thus, it has been associated with him and the Irish since that time.