St. Patrick (Maewyn Succat)

Birth: c. 389, Roman Britain

Death: c. 461, Ireland

Early Influences:

• Captured and sold into slavery at the age of 16

• Turned to religion during his six years of captivity in Ireland

• Returned to Britain at age 22 and dedicated his life to the conversion of the Irish

Education:

• Studied in Gaul (present day France)

• Ordained to the diocanate around 417

• Spent 15 years at the Church of Auxerre

Major Accomplishments:

• Ordained a Bishop in 432

• Secured toleration of Christians in Ireland

• Converted members of the Irish royal families

Significance:

• Patron Saint of Ireland

• Fostered the growth of Christianity in Ireland

• His feast day, March 17, is celebrated as a religious and secular holiday in many countries

Contemporaries:

• Hypatia of Alexandria - Female mathematician

• Celestine I - Pope

• St. Augustine - Theologian

For Further Information About St. Patrick

• http://wilstar.net/holidays/patrick.htm
• http://www.carolynsuniverse.com/stpat.html