Saint Patrick
St. Patrick, born around 387 AD in Roman Britain (likely near modern-day Wales or Scotland), was originally named Maewyn Succat. His early life took a dramatic turn at 16 when Irish raiders captured him and sold him into slavery in Ireland. For six years, he toiled as a shepherd, possibly on Slemish Mountain in County Antrim, where isolation deepened his Christian faith through prayer. Legend holds that God spoke to him in a dream, urging his escape. He fled to the coast, found a ship, and returned home. After reuniting with his family, Patrick had another vision—Irish voices begging him to “come and walk among us once more.” This call led him to study Christianity in Gaul (modern France), where he was ordained a priest and later a bishop, adopting the name Patrick, meaning “nobleman.”
Returning to Ireland around 432 AD as a missionary, Patrick dedicated his life to converting the pagan Irish to Christianity. He famously used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, blending local symbols with Christian teachings, and confronted druidic traditions, as seen in the legend of lighting the Easter fire on the Hill of Slane, defying the High King at Tara. He established churches, including his principal seat in Armagh, and baptized thousands, despite resistance and danger. Patrick’s work laid the foundation for Ireland’s Christian identity, earning him the title of patron saint. He died on March 17, 461 AD, traditionally in Saul, County Down, and was buried in nearby Downpatrick. His legacy endures through sites tied to his life and the global celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.
We have been blessed to travel around Ireland this March, and many places across the Island are connected to Saint Patrick.
Ballintubber Abbey
Mass has been said daily at the Ballintubber Abbey for the past 800 years. Founded in 1216, this church has survived many challenges, both natural and man-made. Cromwell’s forces burned the church in 1653, leaving it roofless. Nevertheless, the locals celebrated mass in the open air inside the church until the roof was replaced in 1966.
St. Patrick used the well to baptize pagans into Christianity. Ballintubber gets its name from this well, “Baile an Tobair” in Gaelic. This well is also the starting point for a walking pilgrimage, “Tóchar Phádraig”, or Patrick’s Causeway. The pilgrimage leads to the mountain Croagh Patrick (St. Patrick’s Holy Mountain). The Abbey also has very unique Stations of the Cross.
Croagh Patrick
St. Patrick fasted for 40 days and nights at the summit of Croagh Patrick to emulate Christ’s time in the wilderness. Demons in the form of black crows tormented him during this time. Legend also holds that serpents attacked him as well, until he banished them from Ireland.
Today, hiking to the 2500 ft summit of Croagh Patrick is a popular pilgrimage. The weather frustrated our attempt to make it more than a third of the way up but were able to pray at the Grotto of Our Lady of Medjugorje at the base of the mountain.
Rock of Cashel
The Rock of Cashel holds important connections to Saint Patrick, as it’s believed he visited the site in the 5th century to baptize King Aengus of Munster. During this baptism, Patrick accidentally pierced the king’s foot with his crozier, but Aengus remained silent, thinking it was part of the ceremony—a story often cited to illustrate the king’s devotion to his new faith. The impressive complex includes the 12th-century Cormac’s Chapel (containing one of Ireland’s best-preserved Romanesque frescoes), a cathedral, the iconic round tower, a 15th-century castle, and high crosses.
Armagh - St. Patrick’s Cathedral
St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh (Northern Ireland) stands as the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland and the s
eat of both the Catholic and Anglican Archbishops of Armagh, reflecting the city’s status as the primary see (seat) of Ireland established by Saint Patrick himself around 445 AD. According to tradition, Patrick built his first stone church on the hill where the Anglican cathedral now stands, making it the original ecclesiastical center of Ireland. The current Catholic cathedral, a magnificent Gothic Revival structure completed in 1873, was built near the site of an ancient sacred well where Patrick is said to have baptized his first Irish converts in Armagh.
We enjoyed starting our St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Armagh, complete with a tour of the Catholic Cathedral and a candle-lit procession between the two Cathedrals on the Vigil (ending with informal tea and sweets where we met the gracious auxiliary bishop).
So far, not a green beer in sight but the churches were another matter.
Downpatrick - Down Cathedral
Downpatrick, located in County Down, Northern Ireland, holds the distinction of being Saint Patrick’s final resting place and one of Ireland’s most significant Patrician sites. According to tradition, after his death in 461 AD, Patrick was buried on the hill where Down Cathedral (Church of Ireland) now stands. The cathedral features a large granite stone marking his grave, simply inscribed with “PATRIC.” This burial site has been a pilgrimage destination since medieval times, with the grave becoming especially significant after John de Courcy’s claimed discovery of the remains of Patrick, Brigid, and Columba in 1185, fulfilling a prophecy that the three saints would be buried together.
On advice from a new friend we met on the Vigil Walk, we traced the faint Irish Gaelic “P” of “PATRIC.” We also prayed the St. Patrick’s Breastplate prayer together here. In the Cathedral vestibule it was a lively scene with welcoming clergy and lay people, the press, visitors, the gift shop, a trio of musicians (playing the Celtic harp, guitar, concertina and fiddle), a green-robed choir, and prim Irish dancers rehearsing for their performance at the upcoming service.
In downtown Downpatrick, we explored the excellent St. Patrick Center (a museum), ate an Irish stew lunch at the Center’s cafe, and later enjoyed the bands and Irish dancers on the large outdoor stage. Viewing the extremely well-attended afternoon parade rounded out our time in this historic place on this historic day. Indeed, history dramatically changed course because of the beloved St. Patrick and his legacy here on the Emerald Isle remains strong.
Prayer
The prayer below is a shortened version of what is commonly called “St. Patrick’s Breastplate.” St. Patrick, pray for us!
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Photo Credit: St. Patrick Stained Glass: Nheyob, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons