With Saint Paddy’s Day on the horizon, it’s the perfect moment to travel back in time, to the era of Ireland’s most beloved saint.
Today, Saint Patrick’s legacy continues to inspire new generations.
In fact, it’s not an exaggeration to say that his life and times have left an indelible mark on the Emerald Isle.
To help you learn more about Saint Patrick, we will look at his life in some detail, from his teenage years until his passing.
Once you’ve discovered his fascinating background and his myriad achievements, you may wish to honour him on March 17th.
If you have Irish heritage, you may find the story of this lauded saint particularly inspiring. After all, there is a chance that your own ancestors may have been converted to Christ by Ireland’s legendary patron saint…
Early Life
Saint Patrick’s deeds changed the face of Emerald Isle spirituality during the Early Medieval Period.
While his birth year and birth date are a matter of some contention among historians (circa 385 is one educated guess), there are some hard facts about his life during his teen years.
When Patrick was just 16, he was living in Great Britain. During this year, he was taken away to Ireland by pirates who sold him into slavery.
For six long years, he was forced to toil as a slave. Eventually, he managed to free himself and make his way back to his clan.
At this stage, he decided to train as a cleric.
Once his training was complete, he returned to the Emerald Isle.
In time, he became a bishop in Ireland, although the churches where he served during his first years as a bishop remain mysteries.
Achievements
“If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples, even though some of them still look down on me.”
Saint Patrick is best known for spearheading the construction of Christian places of worship. In addition, he is beloved for his tireless conversion of Pagans to Christ.
In order to convert men, women and children from the old ways, he utilized a combination of Christian and Pagan Symbolism, perhaps so Pagans would feel more comfortable with embracing the One True Faith.
One example is the Celtic Cross (as displayed here), which features a central ring that is believed to be a remnant of Pagan sun worship.
In addition, he is famous for using the tender Shamrock plant in order to illustrate the presence of God in the natural world.
He believed that each leaf of this little plant symbolized one aspect of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).
Saint Patrick is thought to have passed away on March 17th.
Today, Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations inevitably honour the spirit and purpose of Ireland’s most respected saint…
Celebrate St. Paddy’s with Traditional Irish Jewelry
To honour Saint Patrick and your own Gaelic family background, why not choose our affordable and beautiful Celtic Shamrock Enamel Charm?
Crafted from fine enamel and sterling silver, this elegant, feminine and inspiring design will be the perfect complement to a
Tara’s Diary Charm Celtic Bracelet or a Pandora Charm Bracelet.
Delicate Shamrock motifs with exquisite colourations are enhanced by a creamy, milky-white background, along with skilful Tara’s Diary engraving.
By selecting this lovely design today, you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of Irish culture and history, every day of the year.