Did you know that Saint Patrick's name at birth was Maewyn Succat? He was born around the fourth century. At the age of sixteen Maewyn Succat was kidnapped from Britain by pirates, and sold into slavery in Ireland, where he worked as a shepherd.
After six long years of slavery he escaped to the northern coast of Gaul.
In Gaul, Maewyn became Patrick and studied in the monastery for twelve years. He became a priest and he came to believe that it was his calling to convert the pagans of Ireland to Christianity.
Patrick was about sixty years old when he arrived in Ireland and helped convert people. It is said he used the shamrock, which resembles a three-leafed clover, to help explain the concept of the Trinity (father, son, holy spirit).
Patrick's mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. He then retired to County Down and died on March 17th in 461 AD. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since. As the saying goes, on this day "everybody is Irish!"
