Patrick Sharpe

12/15/17
Religion 2
Saint Patrick Essay

Saints are the perfect examples of how humans should live our lives until and after we

die. They go straight to heaven and live life everlasting with God. The minimum standard to get

to heaven is presented in how Saints live their lives. Saints come in many shapes and sizes and

are unique in their own ways. Just like all saints are unique I am unique myself. I, Patrick

Matthew, am named after two saints, Saint Patrick and Saint Matthew. Expanding on Saint

Patrick’s life, I have come to know more about the saint that I am named after.

Saint Patrick was born at Kilpatrick, Scotland in 387. His original name was Maewyn

Succat. His parents were Roman Catholics and raised Patrick in a Catholic household. Around

the age of fourteen years old Patrick was kidnapped by a band of pirates. Once aboard the ship

Patrick was taken to Ireland and sold as a slave to Irish people. Once enslaved Patrick was forced

to be a shepherd. With hard and cruel times overcoming him, he turned to prayer and God for

some relief. After being enslaved for six years God called Patrick, in a dream, to escape his

master and return to England. He was able to find a group of sailors that took him back to his

family. Once he had reunited with his family and friends he had gone back to his old ways but

continued to pray to God. After a few years back in England he joined the priesthood and was

ordained a priest. Upon being ordained he changed his name to “Patrick” which we know him as

today.

Receiving another dream from God, Patrick was called back to Ireland and start a mission

there. Not completely confident with his vocations Patrick spent many months doubting God’s

call. Many beliefs have spurred saying that Saint Patrick was the first Catholic priest to preach to
the Irish. This rumor is false, Pope Celestine I had sent Palladius to Ireland in 431 while Saint

Patrick did not arrive in Ireland until March of 433. Once responding to God and going to

Ireland, Saint Patrick spread the Word of God. His most famous teaching is by far the three-leaf

clover. He had used the three-leaf clover to explain the mystery of the Holy Trinity. With many

remarkable and lasting accomplishments, Saint Patrick has helped spread the Word of God and

created a stronger religious bond across the world, he has truly taught us how to live as a saint.

Saint Patrick Prayer

Guide me when I stray,

Stay faithful day and night,

Be by my side in everything I do,

In all struggles that I may face,

Please, Saint Patrick, grant me grace.

Works Cited
Moran, Patrick Francis Cardinal. "St. Patrick." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 11. New
York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 15 Dec. 2017. Web.
<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11554a.htm>.

Olsen, Ted. “The Real St. Patrick.” Christian History Today, 8 Aug. 2008, 12 Dec. 2017. Web.

<www.christianitytoday.com/history/2008/august/real-st-patrick.html>.

Online, Catholic. “St. Francis of Assisi - Saints & Angels.” Catholic Online, Catholic Online,

Web.<www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id>.

O'Raifeartaigh, Tarlach. “St. Patrick.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.,

28 Apr. 2017, Web. <www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Patrick>.