Today, March 17, is the memorial of Saint Patrick.
Patrick lived in tumultuous times. He was kidnapped from the British mainland around age 16, and shipped to Ireland as a slave. There he was assigned to serve as shepherd. Even while guarding sheep, Patrick never neglected his prayer life.
He dreamt that a mission was waiting for him in Britain. He read it as a sign, and thus escaped slavery. He managed to get an education, studying in different monasteries until he was ordained priest. Later on, he became bishop.
Pope Celestine ordered him to evangelize England and convert Ireland. He was associated with the saints of his time: St. Odran was his driver while St. Jarlath was his spiritual student. Patrick is credited for being such an exceptional minister that he was able to turn monasteries into incomparable places of learning.
Legends have it that Patrick drove away all the snakes in Ireland because the reptiles bit him while he was fasting on a hill.