St. Patrick’s Day History

Around 390 AD, Patrick was born in Scotland. At 16, the Ard-Ri, High King of Ireland, crossed the sea and captured his village. Patrick was taken to Ireland, sold as a slave, and sent to be a shepherd for six years. He studied religion, and turned to God during his captive years. After escaping, he struggled home, later to return and spread Christianity to Ireland as a missionary. He used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. Patrick was ordained a Bishop in 431. He’s believed to have died on March 17, 493 AD, and is buried at Downpatrick.