Saint Patrick
Enslaved in Ireland at sixteen; returned as a missionary bishop. His Confession is the source.
The record
- Born
- late 4th century, Roman Britain
- Enslaved
- carried to Ireland at about sixteen; held six years
- Converted
- during his captivity, by his own account
- Became
- missionary bishop in Ireland
- Feast day
- March 17
Almost everything known of Patrick’s early life comes from his own Confession, written late in his life. The translation is Newport J. D. White’s, published in 1920. He was the son of a Romano-British deacon; the raiders who seized him carried him to Ireland.
I was then about sixteen years of age. I knew not the true God; and I went into captivity to Ireland with many thousands of persons, according to our deserts, because we departed away from God, and kept not his commandments, and were not obedient to our priests, who used to admonish us for our salvation.St Patrick, Confession §1 (tr. Newport J. D. White, 1920)
He was set to herding flocks. In the years of his captivity, he writes, he turned to constant prayer.
and faith grew, and the spirit was moved, so that in one day [I would say] as many as a hundred prayers, and at night nearly as many, so that I used to stay even in the woods and on the mountain [to this end]. And before daybreak I used to be roused to prayer, in snow, in frost, in rain; and I felt no hurt; nor was there any sluggishness in meSt Patrick, Confession §16 (tr. White, 1920)
After six years, he records, a voice in his sleep told him he was going home, and then that his ship was ready.
“Thou fastest to good purpose, thou who art soon to go to thy fatherland.” And again, after a very short time, I heard the answer [of God] saying to me, “Lo, thy ship is ready.” And it was not near at hand, but was distant perhaps two hundred miles. And I had never been there, nor did I know any one there. And thereupon I shortly took to flight, and left the man with whom I had been for six years, and I came in the strength of God who prospered my way for goodSt Patrick, Confession §17 (tr. White, 1920)
He reached Britain and his family again. Then, he writes, another vision came — a man named Victoricus with letters from Ireland, one headed “The Voice of the Irish.”
And thus they cried, as with one mouth, “We beseech thee, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more.” And I was exceedingly broken in heart, and could read no further.St Patrick, Confession §23 (tr. White, 1920)
Patrick returned to Ireland as a missionary bishop. He is remembered as the Apostle of Ireland; his feast is kept on 17 March.