St. Patrick's Day

​St. Patrick was born in Great Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century.

​St. Patrick was born in Great Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century.

At the age of 16, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family’s estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity.

​County Mayo

Multiple Choice

At what age was St. Patrick put into slavery?

• 14

• 15

• 16

• 17

Multiple Choice

Which county was St. Patrick taken to?

• County Cork
• County Kerry
• County Galway
• County Mayo

​He spent six bleak years there as a herdsman, during which time he turned to Christianity.

​One night he had a dream, telling of his escape. He found a boat and traveled back to Britain.

​Back home in Britain, he had a vision that he was to help the good people of Ireland.

He received a letter in the vision labeled “The Voice of the Irish.”

He was reluctant for a long time to respond to the call. Even on the eve of his reembarkation for Ireland, he was beset by doubts of his fitness for the task. Once in the field, however, his hesitations vanished.

Utterly confident in the Lord, he journeyed far and wide, baptizing and confirming with untiring zeal. In diplomatic fashion, he brought gifts to a chieftain and a lawgiver here but accepted none from any.

Multiple Choice

What job did Patrick do while he was a slave?

• Butcher

• House servant
• Blacksmith
• Herdsman

Multiple Choice

How did Patrick return to Britain?

• By swimming

• By a boat

• By hot air balloon
• By God's teleportation powers

​Used his knowledge from his captivity to help talk to Celtic Tribes. Using the traditions and symbols of the Celtic people, he explained Christianity in a way that made sense to the Irish and was thus very successful in converting the natives.

​The shamrock, which St. Patrick used to explain the Holy Trinity, is a symbol that has become synonymous with Irish Catholic culture.

He became one of the first bishops in history to minister to the “barbarians” (the Celts) who were beyond the reach of Roman society and law. Patrick's contemporaries did not even consider the Celts to be humans. Patrick affirmed their humanity. He is believed to be the first person in human history to openly condemn the evil of slavery.

Multiple Choice

What "savage" group did St. Patrick humanize?

• Vikings
• Romans
• Mayans
• Celts

Multiple Choice

What did St. Patrick use to convey the meaning of the Holy Trinity?

• Tulip

• Daisy
• Rose
• Shamrock