Saint Patrick

The Context

Patrick's Life

Patrick's life cannot be dated with any certainty. The best that can be said is that he ministered in the 5th century. The following is an estimate. We do know (from his Confession) his age at various points.

• 385 - traditional date of Patrick's birth but it could have been anywhere between 373 and 416. It is not known where but in northern England (or maybe, Scotland.)

  • His original name might have been Maewyn Succat.

  • Father, Calpurnius, was a deacon. Grandfather, Pontius, was a Christian priest. But Patrick did not follow Jesus.

  • Was  a Romano-Briton i.e. either Roman, or a Briton who had assimilated into Roman ways.

• 15 years old (c400) - committed some sin that later worried him.

• 16 years of age (c401) - captured by Irish marauders and taken as a slave to Ireland.

  • He became a shepherd, giving him a lot of time to reflect and pray, and come into a relationship with Jesus.

• 22 years old (c407) - had a vision that a ship had come to take him home to England.

  • Witnessed to the crew

  • Reunited with his family

• Heard God's call to go back as a missionary to Ireland.

• Trained for his mission

  • c418 - Became a deacon. Confessed the mysterious sin he had committed at 15 to a friend.

  • Studied in Europe, principally at Auxerre. 

  • Ordained to the priesthood by St Germanus of Auxerre.

  • In preparation for becoming a bishop, his friend told of this sin. This put his promotion in jeopardy.

    • Dreamt that God had forgiven him and therefore was determined to carry on.

    • c432 was made a bishop.

• Returned to Ireland.

  • Walked much of Ireland teaching and preaching.

    • Spent a lot of time with slaves and the sick.

  • Thousands converted.

  • 300+ monasteries and churches established.

  • Trained priests.

• Wrote a letter to Coroticus, a slave-trader, pleading with him to release the slaves whom Patrick had converted and threatening him with excommunication.

• c461 - died (traditionally in Saul, Ireland and buried in nearby Downpatrick, County Down.)

  • The 5th Century Irish Annals say that Patrick died in 492/3 at the age of 120.

Patrick's Legacy

Other timelines

• St Patrick's Day - (Twoop)