Saint Patrick, Bishop

Patrick himself tells his story in his Confession, written in Latin. He was born in Roman Britain, the son of a deacon named Calpurnius. At sixteen he was seized by Irish raiders and spent six years as a herdsman in Ireland, where he began to pray day and night. He escaped, found a ship and returned home.

Years later, he writes, he dreamed that the Irish were calling him back, and he returned as a bishop. He baptized thousands, ordained clergy and founded churches, though he was often in danger and once held in chains. He died in the second half of the 5th century; the traditional dates are 461 and 493. The story of his teaching the Trinity with a shamrock appears only centuries later. He is the patron of Ireland.