One of the few sources of information regarding his life is from his own autobiography or Confessio. He was actually born in Kilpatrick, Scotland, to a Roman family of high rank (his mother Conchessa was a relative of St. Martin of Tours, his father, Calphurnius, a deacon). Patrick's first foray to Ireland was as a captive of marauding Irish pirates who enslaved him for six years. He tended their sheep while fervently praying for salvation (he hadn't been very religious before this time) and is said to have been visited by an angel who urged him to finally flee his captors and seek a life in the service of Christ.
A stranger in a strange land now, through many trials Patrick struggled to make the 200 mile journey home. He then set to studying the Latin Bible and joined the mission of St. Germain. Around this time, Palladius was acting as Rome's "first bishop of the Irish who believe in Christ". c.435 Patrick became his successor and made his way back to Ireland. Of course the Druids protested but he was intent on finding a seat for his mission—but not before first travelling to where his once cruel master lived to bestow forgiveness and blessings on him.
Patrick's see was located in Armagh, County Ulster, Northern Ireland, but he traveled far and wide to preach, ever the penitent, sleeping on rocks and wearing hair shirts. He worked hard "to free the country of Druidism" for he was fervently against their "demonaic leaders" and pagan idolatry. He stood many trials with them, preaching and praying for their salvation, and armed with his faith fought many battles with the magicians and sorcerers. It is said that Providence sealed their fate on Easter Sunday 433 when Arch Druid Lochru was flung to his death on the rocks while Patrick was again praying to free the country of the Druids' influence.
"The historical Patrick is much more attractive than the Patrick of legend, the thaumaturge who expelled snakes from Ireland [a popular theme in portraits of him] or 'explained' the Trinity by reference to the shamrock"…. However, "The exaggerated popular view of him" (ibid, p. 380) is that he single-handedly converted the entire country of Ireland, and he is its only True Apostle. The fact is he had many followers and fellow ministers who for generations carried on his work.
The cult of St. Patrick spread swiftly after his death, said to be on the 17 of March. In the early 1700's North American Irish immigrants began to celebrate his feast day. Sooooooo, Slainte! Happy Lá 'le Pádraig, Lá Fhéile Pádraig, St. Patty’s Day, or St. Paddy’s Day!
I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.
I bind to myself today
The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.
I bind to myself today
The virtue of the love of seraphim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
In prayers of Patriarchs,
In predictions of Prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faith of Confessors,
In purity of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I bind to myself today
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.
I bind to myself today
God's Power to guide me,
God's Might to uphold me,
God's Wisdom to teach me,
God's Eye to watch over me,
God's Ear to hear me,
God's Word to give me speech,
God's Hand to guide me,
God's Way to lie before me,
God's Shield to shelter me,
God's Host to secure me,
Against the snares of demons,
Against the seductions of vices,
Against the lusts of nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.
I invoke today all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.
Christ, protect me today
Against every poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ in the poop [deck],
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.
—St. Patrick’s Breast Plate
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