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Brief
Biography
Patricius Magonus Sucatus (Patrick)
Born: c. 385-390; died in Ireland c. 17 March 461
Parents: Concessa and Calpurnius
Known as the Apostle of Ireland
Saint Patrick or Patricius is the patron saint of Ireland (Ireland's
Celtic name is Eire) said to have been born near the site of Kilpatrick,
Scotland. Patrick was born to a Romanized family in Britain
probably in the first half of the 5th century. Patrick was
born to Christian Briton parents. His father, Calpurnius,
was a deacon and town councillor. Patrick's grandfather
was a priest. He was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold
to a Druid chieftain at the age of 14-16 around 405. The
young boy was sustained by Faith during his six years of slavery.
During this time not only was Patrick a shepherd (it is
said that he herded pigs for his master), but he repented of his
past sins and prayed earnestly. Patrick, after much praying,
ran over 200 miles and requested an Irish seaman to take him on
board. At first the captain refused, as Patrick turned around
he began to pray. The seaman called Patrick back to the
ship and took him home.
After Patrick escaped and returned to Britain, he had a vision
of the Irish beseeching him to return to Ireland to spread the
Faith. After he recovered his freedom, Saint Patrick was
educated and ordained into the priesthood. It would seem
Patrick enrolled in a monastery in Gaul (France) called Lérins
on the Côte d'Azur from 412 to 415. He may have spent
15 years in Auxerre (Gaul) for training into the priesthood. Some
sources say he was ordained around 417 while others state it was
435. In any event, Patrick recorded this call to his vocation
in the Confessio, his autobiography in one of his
two short writings that have survived. (Tirechan and Muirchu
are his 7th century biographers). His works, or at least
those ascribed to him, were published with remarks by Sir James
Ware in 1658.
It is thought that Patrick was ordained a bishop by Saint Germanus
around 432. Due to opposition to Patrick being sent as a
missionary to Ireland, he did not leave for that country until
435. After studying in continental monasteries, Patrick
returned to Ireland as a missionary probably between 440-460.
His missionary base in Ireland was set up at Armagh which
may have been because a powerful king was in power. Despite
the constant threat to his life, Patrick traveled widely, baptizing,
confirming, preaching and building churches, schools and monasteries.
It is said Patrick taught the doctrine of the Trinity by using a shamrock (Ireland's national flower). Patrick succeeded in converting almost the entire population of the island. Nennius states that his missions continued 40 years and various miracles are attributed to the Holy Spirit through Saint Patrick, particularly the expulsion of all venomous creatures from Ireland (which is a metaphor for working to rid Ireland of humanism). His Epistola pleads the case of the Christian Irish at the hands of the British conquerors. Patrick's writings have come to be appreciated for their simplicity and humility.
Patrick worked to abolish paganism (i.e., humanism), idolatry and sun-worship. Hundreds may have been baptized on a single day as Patrick would travel to an area where many would gather to hear what he had to say. Some report Patrick built as many as 300-600 churches, baptized 120,000+ individuals, and built countless schools and hospitals.
He died at an advanced age.
March 17th is the day to honor or recognize the victory
of our Sovereign King through St. Patrick. Shortly after
Patrick's death, slavery was abolished in Ireland.
If only American Christians would look to Saint Patrick's bravery,
courage, and selflessness as an example of what one person can
do via the Holy Spirit to turn a pagan or humanistic culture to
Christ!
Note:
Romanized Briton's are generally the Welsh.
Writings
The Confessions is a type of autobiography
as well as a type of defense against his enemies.
Lorica
(or Breastplate,
the Irish name is the Deer's Cry) has many versions. It
is said to be Patrick's prayer before Patrick and his party confront
the Druids at Tara.
The Letter
to the Soldiers of Coroticus is a letter written to
Saint Patrick's fellow countryman protesting the slaughter and
enslaving of Irish Christians by Christian Welshmen that were
raiding Ireland. Coroticus was a west coast king that invaded
the northern Ireland coast enslaving many Christians.
Contempories
This was a time of great upheavel. The Picts, Irish, Scots, Saxons and others were warring on the Romanized Britons (i.e., the Welsh). It is more than possible that Saint Patrick was a contemporary of King Arthur. Yet Arthur may not have become the leader of the Britons until 475. The Annales Cambriae report —
| LXXII Annus. Bellum Badonis, in quo Arthur portavit crucem Domini nostri Jesu Christi tribus diebus et tribus noctibus in humeros suos et Britones victores fuerunt. |
| Latin Translation: Year 72 (c. 519 AD) The Battle of Badon, in which Arthur carried the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ on his shoulders for three days and three nights and the Britons were victors. |
| XCIII Annus. Gueith Camlann, in qua Arthur et Medraut corruere; et mortalitas in Brittania et in Hibernia fuit. |
| Latin Translation: Year 93 (c. 540 AD) The strife of Camlann in which Arthur and Medraut fell, and there was death in Britain and in Ireland. |
A Short Biography of St. Patrick (from the Roman Catholic perspective?)
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A Mighty Fortress is Our God Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
Stand up, Stand up for Jesus Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
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I Love to Hear the Story Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
Rescue the Perishing Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
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Onward, Christian Soldiers Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
Bringing in the Sheaves Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
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Am I A Soldier Of The Cross? Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
Who Is On the Lord's Side? Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
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Soldiers of the Cross Arise Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
Faith of Our Fathers Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
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For the Beauty of the Earth Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
Christ Shall Have Dominion (Based on Psalm 72) Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
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Dare to Be a Daniel Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
Sound the Battle Cry Listen & Lyrics PDF File Worksheet |
You will need RealAudio hear the music. Just click the RealPlayer Logo to download your free copy of RealPlayer today.
|
Men of Harlech Listen & Lyrics |
All Through the Night Listen & Lyrics |
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Lord Caernafon's Jig Listen |
Nearer My God to Thee Listen & Lyrics |
You will need RealAudio hear the music. Just click the RealPlayer Logo to download your free copy of RealPlayer today.
| Danny Boy | Irish Washerwoman Jig |
| I'll Take You Home Kathleen | Irish Medley |
| Cockles and Muscles | Four Leaf Clover |
You will need RealAudio hear the music. Just click the RealPlayer Logo to download your free copy of RealPlayer today.
Wales
Learn about traditions, customs, sayings, history, Welsh royalty,
Welsh literature, Welsh proverbs, and more of St. Patrick's homeland.
This site even contains a timeline and map of Wales!
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Learn more about Welsh music and take the Traditional Welsh Music Quiz !
Ireland
Tour this country
Ireland in Brief
This web site is provided by the lrish Embassy in Washington DC
teaching about the geography, climate, flora/fauna, population,
the name of the state, it's flag, coat of arms, national anthem,
history, culture, education and much more
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The Blarney Stone Go to the castle in Blarney and learn about the stone, its castle, and why this legend caught on ;)
Calendar of Christian Historical Biographies lists the saints (from times gone by) their feast days, biographies and more
Liam's Traditional Irish Music have fun and experience Irish Culture, listen to Irish music, learn how to play the tin whistle, take Gaelic lessons, more
1. When and where was
St. Patrick born?
2. How did St. Patrick help the Irish?
3. What happens when you kiss the Blarney Stone?
4. What does the flag of Wales look like?
5. What does the flag of Ireland look like?
6. Why do Protestants wear orange on St. Patrick's Day?
7. How did Saint Patrick use the shamrock to teach what
Christian doctrine?
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