According to tradition, St Patrick died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, on this day either 1515 or 1547 years ago. An absence of reliable historical sources makes it difficult to know for sure the details of Patrick’s life, but the available records indicate that he was born in Britain and taken into slavery by Irish raiders at the age of 16. While experiencing considerable hardships during six years of slavery to a Druidic high priest, he became passionately committed to his previously nominal Christian faith, and he eventually escaped back to Britain determined to devote the rest of his life to serving God.
Some years later, after Patrick became a priest, he was consecrated by the church and sent out as Ireland’s apostle, probably arriving in Ireland in 433AD and returning to the scene of his earlier slavery. According to tradition, Patrick effected many miracles to counteract the dark arts of the Druids, and his humble message of redemption was accepted by many and spread rapidly, although not without fierce opposition and persecution. He travelled throughout Ireland establishing churches.
Patrick was a vigorous opponent of slavery. He is believed to be the author of a letter to “the soldiers of Coroticus” protesting against raiders who had carried off some of his converts into slavery. The slave trade in Ireland ended shortly afterwards.