Many people already know the story of Patrick. Perhaps this is because his autobiography is the oldest Irish literature that survives to this day. He tells us that he was born in Roman Britain, the son of a deacon and grandson of a priest. He was kidnapped as a teen, and sent into slavery in Ireland. While there, his religious convictions were rekindled, and after escaping and returning home, he studied to become a priest.

In a vision, he heard “The Voice of the Irish”, and they cried out: “We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us.” So, with much reluctance, he returned to the land of his enslavement, this time as a missionary. Part of his motivation to do so came from a specific verse in the Bible. In the Book of Acts, chapter 1, verse 8 it says: “And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” In Patrick’s time, it was understood that once people at the “ends of the earth” were converted to Christianity, then the second coming would occur. Patrick saw it as his duty to take care of one end of the earth: Ireland.

Patrick’s mission started slowly, but then gathered momentum. As a foreigner, he faced additional obstacles, but perhaps also gained some opportunities.  He first went to the ruling elite, but his refusal to accept gifts made it impossible for him to join in the normal ceremonial ties to Kings. But he converted the sons of chieftains, wealthy widows, and eventually he “baptized thousands of people.” He ordained priests to tend to the new flocks of believers.

Many stories are attributed to Patrick. He is said to have used the three-leafed shamrock to teach about the Christian trinity; so now, he is always depicted holding one. It is said that he drove the snakes out of Ireland; but there were no snakes there- clearly symbolism of some kind. His walking staff was said to facilitate miracles. Clearly, his story increased with the telling, and grew over the centuries.

With Patrick’s story, it is difficult to be certain about anything. Even his time in Ireland is debatable; the mid-to-late 5^th century is the best we can do. But this much is certain: the conversion of Ireland was remarkably lacking in violence. Later missionaries were so embarrassed by this lack of violent martyrdom that they invented two new concepts: “white martyrdom” (separating yourself from all that you love) and “green martyrdom” (extreme penance and fasting in places of solitude). This way, they could prove their faith with a different kind of martyrdom.

So why was there no violent reaction? The key was the attitude of Patrick and his contemporaries towards those who had not been converted: they were not godless heathens to be despised. They were fellow human beings, who were truly aware of many of the creator’s benefits. Their spirituality wasn’t wrong; it was incomplete. Aspects of this limited understanding could be incorporated (and not expropriated!) into the new faith. Patrick and his companions were bringing the good news, a more complete understanding of the story. Perhaps, this peaceful change is Patrick’s true legacy for Ireland.

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