Taken Prisoner By Irish Raiders

It is known that St. Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D. His father was a Christian deacon.

At the age of sixteen, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family’s estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity.

Many believe he was taken to live in Mount Slemish in County Antrim, while others surmise that he was held in County Mayo near Killala. During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. It was during this time that he became a devout Christian. It is also during this time that Patrick first began to dream of converting the Irish people to Christianity.

Escape and Ministry

After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped. In his writings he recorded that God spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to leave Ireland. To do so, Patrick walked nearly 200 miles to the Irish coast. After escaping to Britain, Patrick experienced a second revelation. An angel in a dream told him to return to Ireland as a missionary.

Soon after, Patrick began his spiritual training, a course of study that lasted more than fifteen years. After his ordination, he was sent to Ireland to begin to convert the Irish.

Although there were may have been a small number of Christians on the island when Patrick arrived, most Irish practiced a nature-based pagan religion. Familiar with the Irish language and culture, Patrick was able to show how Christ was the one true Son of God.