The Story of Saint Patrick

[mamawmom]

 

This is the first I knew what Saint Patricks Day was all about.I had always just thought it was a made up day to drink green beer and have a reason to celebrate.This is the first time I ever reserched it and I was pleasently surprised.It seems Saint Patrick was a real man who was born with the given name of Marwin in 385 AD.

He considered hisself a pagen until when he was 16,he was captured by maraunders that raided his camp and sold him into slavery.During his captivity he became close to God.After 6 years he escaped and went to Gaul and studied  for 12 years under Saint Germain who was Bishop of Auxerre.

He felt his call was to convert pagans to Christianity.He wanted to return to Ireland but Saint Pallidius was chosen instead.2 yrs later he did become second Bishop to Ireland.By then he had taken the name of Saint Patrick.He was very successful in winning converts and was jailed for it by the Celtic Druids many times but mananaged to escape every time.

He set up many churches and schools during the 30yrs he remained there then retired to County Down where he died on March 17th 461 AD which is known to us as Saint Patricks Day.