Who exactly was St. Patrick?

Every year on March 17th, we celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Even though I am now seventy years old, I still remember grade school years on that day. It was met with fun and anticipation, giggles as we chased each other around, and a "green" light for pinching those that had not worn anything green in color. But now, I realize that I never really knew much about the man behind all this frolicking about. Who, exactly, was this St. Patrick anyways?

As I began to research, I found there was so much yet to learn about the marriage between Irish lore and Christian faith. That union has produced many "children" of whom captivate our hearts with their magic and tickle our imaginations with their pranks and innocent mischief.

But the real story about St. Patrick, as it unfolded for me, was a journey into the heart of God and how He works with ordinary individuals to bring mankind towards Him. And this is how Maewyn Succat, better know as our beloved St. Patrick came to be known.

Maewyn was actually born in what we now know as England rather than Ireland. He was born in a time of Roman occupation in the (late 4th century,) and his father was Roman-British officer and deacon. Young Maewyn wasn't at all interested in faith.

It is important to note, that during those times, there was no distinction between being a Catholic or a Protestant because the "Reformation" had yet to happen. (The Reformation was about the Catholics stating claim as the "authority of religion" and the protests of that authority which spurned the beginning of Protestants.)

"In fact, the Christian Church structure that St Patrick established evolved separately from the Papacy, so much so that in the (12th century,) Pope Adrian wrote to King Henry II of England and asked him to invade Ireland so that the Irish could be "civilized." At the time, Henry refused; Ireland wasn't worth the trouble!" https://owlcation.com/social-sciences/Protestant-St-Patricks-Day

But we are jumping ahead of Maewyn's story and how he became involved in this historical movement of "faith" and Ireland in the first place!

As we follow Maewyn's journey, and because he didn't adopt either his family's profession of military or religious careers, we learn that, at the age of sixteen, he settled into life as a shepherd. And this is the juncture which leads him into Ireland. Because he was kidnapped by the hands of Irish "pirates" and sold into slavery.

" According to his autobiography Confessio, for the next six years, he was kept in prison in the north of the island of Ireland. Here he worked as a herdsman tending to sheep and pigs, on Mount Slemish, in County Antrim." https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/st-patrick-real-name-maewyn-succat

This time was a catharsis, revelation, and vision for Maewyn. He reflected upon his enslavement as a punishment for his lack of faith. He eventually escaped slavery and made his way home to England, a more humble and mature young man. Some belief he studied Christianity in a monastery in France for awhile.

But why did he return to Ireland?

Saint Patrick wrote in his book "The Confessions of Saint Patrick, "I saw, in a vision in the night, a man" who was from Ireland and gave him a letter. He said he heard the voice of the Irish people calling out in one voice "We beg you, holy boy, to come and walk again among us."

"For 20 years, St. Patrick traveled around Ireland baptizing people and establishing monasteries, schools, and churches. By the time of his death, believed to be March 17, 461 (or 493,) he had left and organized Christian church in Ireland as his legacy.

And so every March 17 this is why Ireland, the Irish around the world, and those who love the Irish spirit, celebrate St. Patrick's Day."

https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/st-patrick-real-name-maewyn-succat