St. Patrick was born in Ireland,

To parents that were Christians,

Captured by Irish raiders,

That brought no good or bad intentions.

At sixteen was sold in slavery,

Herding animals for six years,

Took consolation in religion,

His faith in God calmed his fears.

Escaping from his bondage,

He made his way back home,

Was called by a vision,

To a mission of his own.

Consecrated as a bishop,

In four thirty two,

Transforming his pagan country,

Through opposition as it grew.

He endured persecution and imprisonments in his day,

But founded monasteries and many churches on the way.

St. Patrick wrote his Confession,

Denouncing a British king,

For killing Irish Christians,

Was not the way to be redeemed.

A missionary that was popular,

Legend says, he got rid of snakes,

Explained the Trinity through a shamrock,

March 17th his celebrated date.

(c) By Teresa Bellamy Walker