
ALT Who was St. Patrick? He wasn't Irish, at least not by birth. Born in Scotland, Patrick was captured by pirates at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped slavery when, in a dream, God told him to leave Ireland by the coast. He reunited with his family, after having been in slavery for around six years. During his time in slavery, Patrick became increasingly devoted to Christianity through his growing prayer life. Patrick returned to Ireland as a bishop. As an adult, Patrick studied in France and joined the priesthood. Later, he was ordained as a bishop by Pope Celestine I. It was at this time that he was told to go to Ireland and minister to the people there. For 40 years, he preached and converted the people of Ireland to Christianity. Why is St. Patrick depicted carrying a shamrock? Tradition claims St. Patrick used the shamrock as a teaching tool. He taught the people of Ireland about the Trinity using the leaves of a shamrock.





































