Patron Saint Patrick

St. Patrick was born in Scotland during the fourth century. He was kidnapped by Irish raiders when he was sixteen years old and sold in slavery to the Irish king. After his escape, six years later, St. Patrick devoted himself to Jesus Christ and became a priest and a missionary.

St. Patrick returned to Ireland and drove paganism and heresy from the land. Many people believe St. Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland but this is a symbolic tale of St. Patrick and the Snakes for his part in converting Ireland to Christianity.

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and many other numerous causes:

* Against fear of snakes
* Against ophidiophobia
* Against snake bites
* Against snakes
* Adelaide, Australia (diocese)
* Armagh, Ireland (diocese)
* Aukland, New Zealand (diocese)
* Ballarat, Australia (diocese)
* Boston, Massachusetts (diocese)
* Burlington, Vermont (diocese)
* Cape Town, S. Africa (diocese)
* Engineers
* Erie, Pennsylvania (diocese)
* Excluded people
* Fort Worth, Texas (diocese)
* Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (diocese)
* Ireland
* Loiza, Puerto Rico
* New York, New York (diocese)
* Nigeria
* Norwich, Connecticut (diocese)
* Poona, India (diocese)
* Port Elizabeth, S. Africa (diocese)
* Portland, Maine (diocese)
* Sacramento, California (diocese)

Many Christians wear a St. Patrick pendant or a St. Patrick medal in honor of this missionary saint who fought against paganism in the British Isles. The St. Patrick necklace is especially popular for Christians of Irish heritage. They celebrate St. Patrick for bringing Jesus Christ to Erin.

St. Patrick Prayer

God our Father, you sent Saint Patrick to preach your glory to the people of Ireland. By the help of his prayers, may all Christians proclaim your love to all men. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Saint Patrick's Breastplate Prayer
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort me and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.