St. Patrick

Patron Saint of Ireland

St. Patrick was a 5th century missionary to the people of Ireland. According to his autobiography, St. Patrick was captured and sold as a slave in Ireland when he was 16. There, he was forced to work as a shepherd for 6 years until he escaped and returned to his family. Later in his life, he became a priest and heard the Lord’s call to return to Ireland and spread the Gospel. There are many stories about St. Patrick’s life, and while their historicity is uncertain, they all show St. Patrick as a fervent missionary for the Irish people.

Catholic Apostolate Center Blog Post on St. Patrick

• Driving Out the Demons

• Who Was Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland?

Pilgrimage Site in the United States

• Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral — New York, NY

• St. Patrick Cathedral — El Paso, TX