St. Patrick was born toward the end of the fourth century. When he was sixteen he was captured and taken to Ireland, where he lived in slavery for six months.

Then one night God told him in a dream that a ship was ready to take him home. He managed to escape, but when he found the ship the sailors wouldn’t let him come because he had no money. He walked away, praying as he went. His prayer was quickly answered, as the sailors called him back and let him on board.

One night, after he had safely returned home, Patrick had a vision.

"There stood before me," he says, "a person of heavenly beauty. He held in his hand a book, which was full of writing. ‘I am Victricius,’ he said, as he handed me the book to read.

"When I opened the book, I saw written on the first page these words: ‘The Voice of the Irish,’ and as I continued to glance over the pages of the book, I thought I heard the voices of persons from the forest of Foclut, near the Western Sea, crying out to me with one accord:

" ‘We entreat you, O holy youth, to come back to us again, and teach us the way of the Lord.’

"These words moved me to my very soul, and I wept. While I was weeping the vision disappeared, and I awoke.

"The following night I had another vision. I heard the most beautiful music, and the voices of many who sang heavenly hymns; but I saw no one, and I knew not where the voices came from. So I began to pray, and during my prayer I heard someone whispering in my ear, ‘I am He Who died to save you.’

"Next morning I told these visions which I had seen to a dear friend of mine whom I had known from my childhood, and he said to me:

" ‘Patrick, you shall one day be Bishop of Ireland.’

"These words filled me with great fear, but in God’s own time they were fulfilled."

Many years afterwards St. Patrick was indeed sent by the Pope to Ireland. He knew it would be dangerous, but an angel appeared to him to strengthen and encourage him.

When he arrived in Ireland he began at once to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God worked many wondrous things through him.

So great was the success of his labors that he himself was surprised at it.

"How is it," he cried out, "that all these wonderful things have been accomplished? How is it that the children of Erin [the Irish people], who ‘til now had not known the true God, and who had worshipped impure idols, have become a holy people and the generation of the children of God? Never will I leave this blessed land. I have been asked to go and preach in other lands, but the Spirit of God binds me to this one, and I will never forsake it."

Thus was the good seed of the Gospel sown in Ireland, which became renowned through the centuries for its great faith. It flourished with heroic missionaries, martyrs and even saints, going out into the world and winning an abundant harvest of souls for God.