*St. Patrick wasn’t Irish. He was born in mainland Britain.
*His real name wasn’t Patrick. It was Maewyn Succat. Pope Celestine gave him the mane Patrick later is his life, and we still know him by that name today.
*St. Patrick was kidnapped by Irish pirates from what is now known as Wales when he was 16 an sold as a slave in Ireland
*While enslaved, something special happened to Patrick. He said, “It was there that the Lord opened the understanding of my unbelieving heart, so that I should recall my sins, and turn with all my heart to the Lord, my God.”
*After 6 years of slavery, during which he became a Christian, St. Patrick escaped from Ireland.
*When back in Britain, St. Patrick was called to return to Ireland as a missionary with a message.
Patrick’s Message
Slave
When Patrick was in slavery, he came to know Jesus Christ as his Savior. He realized that he was not just a slave to the Irish, but also a slave to sin.
The Bible says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” and “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sis.” (Romans 3:23 and John 8:34). We have all lied or stolen something, had bad thoughts or meant ill to our fellow man. We have all sinned.
Separated
Patrick was separated from his homeland, but he was also separated from God because of his sin. “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God” (Isiah 59:2). We are also separated from God because of our sins.
Saved
Patrick realized he could be saved from the consequences of his sin by placing his faith in Jesus Christ. The bible says, “The wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Jesus died for our sins, and rose on the third day so that we can be saved.
Sent
Later when he was in Britain, he was sent as a missionary to Ireland.