To begin with, Patrick was not Irish, but actually born in Britain around 390 AD, notes Freeman, to an aristocratic family. However, Patrick was kidnapped at the age of 16, and was brought to Ireland where he worked as a slave tending sheep.

"It was just horrible for him," Freeman said. "But he got a religious conversion while he was there and became a very deeply believing Christian."

In his own Confession, Patrick writes: "…after I came to Ireland, every day I had to tend sheep. The love of God and His fear came to me more and more. …In a single day, I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many in the night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountains; and I used to get up for prayer before daylight, through snow, through frost, through rain."

According to legend, Patrick was directed by a "voice" to escape Ireland, and did so aboard a pirate vessel. But after being reunited with his family, he was led to return to the neighboring island of Ireland, to bring the Good News to the people there.

"He gets ordained as a priest from a bishop and goes back and spends the rest of his life trying to convert the Irish to Christianity," explains Freeman.

Folklore (doubted by Freeman) has it that Patrick used the 3-leaf clover—the Shamrock—to teach the concept of the Trinity. Whether or not that tale is true, his methods must have been effective, since he is said to have baptized some 120,000 and to have founded around 300 churches. (Photo via Timeanddate.com)

One of the most beautiful writings of Patrick was a prayer he penned, which is still prayed and recited today:

I arise today
Through the strength of Heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.

In the Nat Geo article, Professor Freeman points out that after Patrick's death on March 17th, 461 AD, he was "largely forgotten." And it wasn't until centuries later that he was honored as Ireland's patron saint.

Freeman comments on a legend stating that Patrick drove all the snakes from Ireland. While it is true, says Freeman, that there are no snakes on the island, he notes that there never were any since it is surrounded by a very cold ocean which keeps them from migrating to it from Britain.

To read more about St. Patrick and how traditional celebrations in his memory came about, Click Here.

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