17 MAR - SAINT OF THE DAY [S PATRICK (415-461)]

 Patrick was born in 5th century in Britain to Roman parents. When he was 16, 

    he was captured by pirates and taken to Ireland. There he was sold as a slave. His owner sent him to tend his flocks on the mountains. 

    Patrick had very little food and clothing. Yet he took good care of the animals in rain, snow and ice. Patrick was so lonely on the hillside that he turned often 

    in prayer to Jesus and his Mother Mary. Patrick's trust in God grew stronger all the time. Later, when he escaped from Ireland, 

    he studied to become a priest. But Patrick always felt that he had to go back to Ireland to bring that pagan land to Christ. At last his wish came true. 

    He became a priest and then a bishop. It was in the reign of Pope Celestine I that Patrick went back to Ireland. He travelled from one village to another. 

    He seldom rested, and he performed great penances for those people whom he so loved. Before he died, the whole nation was Christian.






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