St. Patrick’s Day has become a holiday to celebrate Irish heritage. The origins of the holiday are less known by the average Guinness drinking celebrator. And no, he didn’t create Guinness. Most of what is known about St. Patrick comes from the book he wrote towards the end of his life, The Confession. St. Patrick was born around 389 in England, yes he was born British. His father was a landowner and he lived on his family’s estate until the age of 16 when he claimed he "did not then know the true God," he was carried off by a band of Irish marauders. He apparently tended herds in Antrim county for 6 years, as he wrote, "turned with all my heart to the Lord my God."

St. Patrick went to the Wicklow coast and joined up with Irish wolf-dog traders who they believe traveled to the west coast of Gaul. They journeyed for 2 months through the desert until he parted ways and spent a few years at the monastery of Lerins. He returned home where the idea of missionary enterprise in Ireland came to him. He was then ordained by Bishop Amator and spent at least 14 years in Auxerre.

While in Ireland St. Patrick was an evangelist of the gospel of Jesus and an organizer of the faithful. He engaged in trials of skill against Druids and battled heresy. He may have traveled to Rome around 442 and brought back some valuable relics. When he returned from Rome he founded the monastery of Armagh. He was believed to have retired to Saul in Dalaradia.