A brief summary of the Life of our Patron Saint Patrick.

Patron of Ireland - St. Patrick (385-461) - March 17 Co-Patron of San Francisco Archdiocese

Patrick, son of Calpurnius, was born in Britain; precisely where is unknown. At the age of sixteen he was captured by Irish raiders and served as a slave at Slemish, Antrim. He escaped to his native land but the voice of the Irish begging him, "To come and walk amongst them once more." prevailed; he decided to become a priest.

Ordained in Auxerre, France, he was sent to Ireland by Pope Celestine I in 432. Upon arriving in Ireland, and during his work for the conversion of the Irish, he had his troubles. But this he regarded as part of the price he paid for the work which God so blessed; in his own lifetime he could record that young Irish men and women were becoming priests and nuns of Christ and that, very often, against parental and tribal objections.

Patrick's work speaks for itself - he converted the Irish. God blessed his work. The Irish today all adhere to the faith he taught them. Within a century of his death the Irish Missionaries were in Scotland and Britain and on the continent of Europe soon after. St. Patrick founded a Spiritual empire; its coat of arms is the Celtic cross. Its emblem - denoting belief on the Blessed Trinity - is the Shamrock. It's call to arms is the sanctus bell, it's ramparts the altar rail, its recruiting ground the Catholic homes and schools built, staffed, maintained, and patronized so loyally by his spiritual sons and daughters.

+ Editors Note: St. Patrick was brought to Ireland during the reign of King Niall of the Nine Hostages (379-405). He was so-known because nine provinces (kingdoms) sent him hostages as a token of their submission. These provinces were Connacht, Ulster, Munster, Leinster, and Meath which was then (400 A.D.) a province in Ireland. He also held hostages from Britain, Gaul (France), Scotland, and Wales. St. Patrick could well have been one of these hostages, held in involuntary servitude, slavery.