Saint Patrick

Also known as

Apostle of Ireland
Maewyn Succat
Patricius
Patrizio

Memorial

17 March

Profile

Kidnapped from the British mainland around age 16, and shipped to Ireland as a slave. Sent to the mountains as a shepherd, he spent his time in prayer. After six years of this life, he received had a dream in which he was commanded to return to Britain; seeing it as a sign, he escaped. He studied in several monasteries in Europe. Priest. Bishop. Sent by Pope Celestine to evangelize England, then Ireland, during which his chariot driver was Saint Odran, and Saint Jarlath was one of his spiritual students. In 33 years he effectively converted the Ireland. In the Middle Ages Ireland became known as the Land of Saints, and during the Dark Ages its monasteries were the great repositories of learning in Europe, all a consequence of Patrick's ministry.

Born

between 387 and 390 at Scotland as Maewyn Succat

Died

between 461 and 464 at Saul, County Down, Ireland

Canonized

Pre-Congregation

Name Meaning

warlike (Succat - pagan birth name);
noble (Patricius - baptismal name)

Patronage

Adelaide, Australia, archdiocese of
against ophidiophobia
against snakes
Armagh, Ireland, archdiocese of
Auckland, New Zealand, diocese of
Ballarat, Australia, diocese of
Boston, Massachusetts, archdiocese of
Burlington, Vermont, diocese of
Cape Town, South Africa, archdiocese of
Dromore, Ireland, diocese of
engineers
Erie, Pennsylvania, diocese of
excluded people
fear of snakes
Fort Worth, Texas, diocese of
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, diocese of
Ireland
Kilmore, Ireland, diocese of
Loiza, Puerto Rico
Melbourne, Australia, archdiocese of
Mymensingh, Bangladesh, diocese of
New York, New York, archdiocese of
Nigeria
Norwich, Connecticut, diocese of
ophidiophobics
Poona, India, diocese of
Port Elizabeth, South Africa, diocese of
Portland, Maine, diocese of
Sacramento, California, diocese of
snake bites

Prayers

The Breastplate of Saint Patrick
Prayer for the Faithful
Saint Patrick Prayer
Prayer for God's Protection and Christ's Presence

Representation

baptismal font
demons
harp
bishop driving snakes before him
bishop trampling on snakes
snakes
cross
Purgatory
serpent
shamrock

Images

Gallery of images of Saint Patrick

Storefront

Commercial Links related to Saint Patrick

Additional Information

Catholic Encyclopedia, by Patrick Francis Cardinal Moran
Encyclopedia Brittanica (1911 edition)
Goffine's Devout Instructions
Golden Legend, by Jacobus de Voragine
Life and Acts of Saint Patrick by Bishop Jocelin
New Catholic Dictionary: Saint Patrick
New Catholic Dictionary: Saint Patrick's Purgatory
Our Island Saints, by Amy Steedman
Catholic Online
Encyclopedia Britannica (2008 edition)
For All The Saints, by Katherine Rabenstein
Furness Dig May Have Found Saint Patrick's Birthplace
Google Directory: Saint Patrick's Day
Google Directory: Saint Patrick
Google Directory: Saint Patrick's Works
Saint Patrick's Day: Origins, Symbols and Traditions
The Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Brunson

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Readings

I came to the Irish people to preach the Gospel and endure the taunts of unbelievers, putting up with reproaches about my earthly pilgrimage, suffering many persecutions, even bondage, and losing my birthright of freedom for the benefit of others.

If I am worthy, I am ready also to give up my life, without hesitation and most willingly, for Christ's name. I want to spend myself for that country, even in death, if the Lord should grant me this favor.

It is among that people that I want to wait for the promise made by him, who assuredly never tells a lie. He makes this promise in the Gospel: "They shall come from the east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." This is our faith: believers are to come from the whole world.

from the Confession of Saint Patrick

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Christ shield me this day:
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every person who thinks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me

Saint Patrick, from his breastplate

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