St Patrick was born in Scotland, 387 AD His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa (she was related to St Martin of Tours), who were Romans living in Britain in charge of the colonies. At 16 he was captured by pirates at a party and sold as a slave in Ireland. He was sent to the mountains to tend for the sheep. During his captivity he prayed very much.
After 6 years a voice told him to return to Britain, but first he went to Rome and became a priest.
He was sent to England, but after some time he begged the Pope to send him to Ireland. This because British Bishop Palladius was sent to Ireland, by Pope Saint Celetine I and returned because of the hostility of the pagans there (he soon after he arrived died.) He was granted the privilege as a missionary and was consecrated Bishop after Palladius.
He arrived and was rejected by the south of Ireland, he went to a tribe where the chief wanted to kill him, though he was unable to and was unable to move until he became friendly to Patrick after he converted him.
When the pagan King Leoghire of Ireland, saw Patrick performing all these miracles he had him captured, and questioned about his source of power which he gladly professed to them.
He answered using a shamrock to help him, "my power is from God, one God in three Persons Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As this shamrock three leaved on one stem, three Persons in one God" he answered.
He was after this aloud to preach all over Ireland, and his missionaries brought Christian faith to many parts of Europe. He was sent many disciples which some also became saints.
He later went to Rome to report his work to Pope Saint Leo the Great. He returned to Ireland preaching along the way.
Patrick died in Sabhall Ireland (where he built his first Church) in the year 461.
He rewrote the laws of Ireland sounding a Christian basis only 10 years after his arrival. He truly set Ireland’s faith in a strong foundation. He also taught Sts Odran and Jarlath.
"God's hand for my cover, God's path to pass over. God's buckler to guard me, God's army to ward me." an extract of St Patrick's Breastplate a hymn which he wrote before his second journey to Rome.
He was canonised by Pre-Congregation the system before the system of canonisation today. He is represented by the shamrock, the Cross, him as bishop driving snakes before him, and the harp.
He is patron of: against snakes, engineers, excluded people, Ireland, Nigeria, snake bites.
Catholic Resources
St Patrick was born in Scotland, 387 AD His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa (she was related to St Martin of Tours), who were Romans living in Britain in charge of the colonies. At 16 he was captured by pirates at a party and sold as a slave in Ireland. He was sent to the mountains to tend for the sheep. During his captivity he prayed very much. 
