by Maureen Dempsey

St. Patrick, according to Roman Catholic authorities, was born in 387 A.D., not in Ireland but in Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, Scotland. His father, Calphurnius, from a high Roman family, served as magistrate in his community.

When Patrick, whose original name was Maewyn, was 16, he was captured by Irish marauders and sold as a slave to a Druit chief in what is now County Antrine, Ireland. There he spent six years as a swineherder, learned the Celtic language, and became familiar with Irish ways. These years influenced his later life and inspired him to convert the Irish from their pagan to Christian ways.

Sees Vision

Legend recounts that one day Patrick saw a vision and heard voice say, "Behold, a ship is ready for thee." When he managed to escape from his master, he reached a vessel on the west coast of Ireland and on it went back to his former home.

At the age of 22, Patrick, who had decided to give his life to religion, studied at the monastery of St. Martin at Tours, France. During his 19 years on the Continent, he finished his studies, became a priest, and later a bishop.

Usually the most‑remembered incident in St. Patrick's life is the time he drove the snakes from Ireland. The legend is that he banished all venomous serpents and caused the soil to he fatal to them the instant they touched it.

Saint Dies

St. Patrick died on March 17, 493 A.D. Today parades honor him; New York has long been known for its elaborate parade on St. Patrick's day. It is said to have more Irishmen, or would be Irishmen, among its inhabitants than Ireland itself.

Robert Briscoe, the former Lord Mayor of Dublin, explained, "St. Patrick's day for the Irish is one of the greatest milestones in Ireland's history. St. Patrick brought to Ireland the great faith that Ireland still preserves and adheres to with such affection.''