St. Patrick

When Patrick was a boy, he was captured by slave traders and taken to Ireland. There he spent six years as a shepherd. He had lots of time for prayer and learned to talk to God as a friend. One day in a vision, God showed him a way to escape. Back home, Patrick became a priest. However, he had a love for the people of Ireland and was sad because they did not know Jesus. In another vision, God asked him to go back to Ireland to preach the Gospel. The Irish were won over by Patrick’s preaching and his fatherly love for them. Over half the people in Ireland converted because of him.

Dates: ca. 389 - ca. 461
Feast: March 17
Virtues: Patriotism