Patrick’s story is compelling, transforming and powerful. Colorful legends abound about his life. Two medieval biographies have some historical authenticity, but it is in his two actual writings The Confession and the Epistle to the Soldiers of Coroticus that we see the Patrick who struggled, who prayed, who preached the gospel, who spoke out against slavery, and who in the end was one overcome with gratitude.

Patrick was born in Britain in the latter part of the fourth century. His father was a deacon in the Roman church as well as an estate holder. Patrick had some religious training, but it had not affected his life. At the age of sixteen he was captured by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland as a slave. Separated from home and family, he was forced to tend the sheep and cattle on isolated hillsides. In his loneliness he began to cry out to God and by God’s mercy he felt lifted up and comforted. This defining moment of mercy became the touchstone of Patrick’s mission.

I was like a stone that lies in deep mud
And he who is mighty came and in his compassion
Raised me up and exalted me very high.

Prayer became Patrick’s companion in those years of isolation. He learned to trust the Spirit, so that when he heard a voice one night in a dream saying, “Your ship is ready,” he felt that the power of God was guiding his way for a purpose. He set off into unfamiliar territory and after a long journey he found the ship. The ship was his vessel to escape and return home. He had been six years in captivity and awaited a new life.

Patrick’s new life was beginning, but it would not be the life that he had envisioned. In the midst of his warm reception at home, he had a vision of an Irishman bringing letters with voices crying out, “Holy boy, return and walk among us.” Patrick could not resist this call. He left the security of his homeland and returned to Ireland. With little formal education, but remembering what he had received there, his message was like the old Irish saying, “I come like a prisoner to give you a key.” Having knowledge of the language and the innate spirituality of the Celtic people and their landscape, he was able to weave the Christian story into an illuminating gospel of God’s power and presence. At his death in 461, there were Christian communities throughout Ireland.

One would think that Patrick’s Confessions composed at the end of his life would be a celebration of his marvelous mission. What surprises us is the depth of his humility. He was called to preach, and yet he feels inadequate in his education. He was called to be an example, and yet he confesses his weaknesses. He is a model of one who abandons his powerlessness to the mighty power of God. The famous Breastplate Prayer attributed to St. Patrick is an affirmation to this power.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength,
The invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
 Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth
 with his baptism, Through the strength
 of his crucifixion with his burial,
 Through the strength of his resurrection
 with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent
for the judgment of Doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love
of Cherubim, In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels, In hope
of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs, In predictions
of prophets, In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven: Light of sun, Radiance of moon, Splendor of fire,  Speed of lightning, Swiftness of wind, Depth of sea, Stability of earth, Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me from snares of devils, From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and near, Alone and in multitude.

I summon today
All these powers between me and
 those evils, Against every cruel
 merciless power that may oppose
my body and soul,
Against every knowledge that
 corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Christ with me, Christ before me,
 Christ behind me, Christ in me,
 Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
 Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I
sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man
who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth
of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.