St. Patrick

1
St. Patrick
2

• Patrick was born in Great Britain in 387.
• The name his parents gave him was Succat.
• Ireland was ruled by provincial kings and local
  chieftains. It was a pagan country with pagan
  festivals and feasts. Druids offered sacrifices
  to pagan gods.

3
Patrick becomes a slave

• Frequently, Irish raiders travelled over to
  Britain to capture young boys as slaves.
• When Patrick was 16 he was captured by one such
  Irish raider.
• Patrick was sold to Milchu, a chieftain from Co.
  Antrim and was forced to herd sheep on Slieve Mis
  (Slemish Mountain).

4

• Patrick turns to God
• Patrick worked as a slave for 6 years. During his
  time of cruel slavery Patrick turned to God. His
  faith increased and he began to spend much of his
  time in prayer.
• One night Patrick had a vision. He dreamed he
  heard a voice telling him Your ship is ready.
  Patrick believed that this was a message
• from God calling him back
• home.

5

• He boarded a ship set for Britain.
• Patricks visions did not stop once he returned
  home.
• One night he had a vivid dream where he heard
  the people on the Western seaboard of Ireland,
  crying out to him saying We beg you, holy youth,
  to come and walk once more among us.

6
Patrick returns to Ireland

• Patrick was sent back as a Bishop to Ireland to
  bring the Gospel of Christ to the Irish people.
• Patrick then travelled to Tara, the stronghold
  of the pagan druids.

7
The Story of the Shamrock

• Tradition states that it was at Tara that Patrick
  first used the shamrock to explain the mystery of
  the Trinity (The Father, Son and Holy Spirit).
• To this day the shamrock is used
• as a symbol of Ireland, especially
• on St. Patricks Day.

8
Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo

• In about the year 441, Patrick spent 40 days
  alone on a rocky, windy mountain praying and
  fasting for the Irish people.
• The mountain is now known as Croagh Patrick, or
  the Mountain of Patrick.
• The annual pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick, on the
  last Sunday of July, is known as Reek Sunday.

9
Lough Derg

• Patrick spent many days in a cave on an island in
  Lough Derg, Co. Donegal.
• This place has become a place of pilgrimage. Many
  people still go there every summer for a weekend
  to pray and fast.

10
St. Patricks Wells

• As well as preaching, Patrick also performed
  many miracles and many holy wells are named after
  him.

11
St. Patricks Grave

• St. Patrick died in Co. Down on March 17th 461.
• It was in that place that he had built his first
  church.
• St. Patrick is buried in a cemetery next to
  Downpatrick Cathedral in Co. Down.

12
Test your knowledge

• What year was St. Patrick born?
• Where was St. Patrick born?
• What name was St. Patrick given by his parents?
• What age was St. Patrick when he was captured?
• What was the name of the chieftain that bought
• Patrick?
• 6. What did St. Patrick work as?
• 7. What was the name of the mountain on which
• St. Patrick worked?
• 8. For how long was St. Patrick a slave?
• 9. How did God deliver His message to Patrick to
• return home?
• 10. What did Patrick use the shamrock to explain?
• 11. Name the mountain on which Patrick spent 40
• days praying and fasting?
• 12. When and where did St. Patrick die?

13
St. Patricks Day Activities
2.
1.
Click on the links below for images to print
3.
1. http//www.doyle.com.au/images/stpatr_1.jpg
2. http//www.scrantonlabel.com/newsnotes/Small_i
cons/Shamrock.jpg
3. http//www.thecolor.com/Coloring/St20Patrick.a
spx