Clovers to show the Trinity? Nope. Driving the snakes out of Ireland? Probably not. Irish? Not even. The real St. Patrick story is way better.
7 Things We Bet You Didn’t Know About St. Patrick
- His real name was Maewyn, not St. Patrick. And he was Roman. His family lived in a beautiful home overlooking the sea. His grandfather was a priest. His father was a deacon. But Maewyn was a spoiled brat—stubborn and rebellious—no matter how much his mother prayed for him.
- When he turned 16, pirates raided and take him prisoner. They sold him as a slave to a bigwig Druid priest named Miliuc who displayed human heads on spikes around his stockade. He drank out of skulls and sacrificed babies to his god in return for good crops.
- Maewyn was put to work shepherding Miliuc’s pigs and sheep. But it wasn’t comfortable. He lived outside in all weather conditions. Alone. Just with the sheep. For six years in rainy, sleety, windy misery. He went hungry. He quickly gained a lot of time alone to reflect. He regretted being the brat he was. He wished he had listened to the teaching of the priests back home. He began praying. He worked his praying up to hours at a time and even went for days.
- His wonder and love of God grew. The Holy Spirit burned within him. He realized all the patience God had with him and protection God had for him- even before he knew him. He was humbled. After six years, Maewyn had a dream that shook him- a dream that was more than a dream. Within that dream a voice spoke “Your hungers are rewarded. You are going home. Look—your ship is ready.” If he would be recognized as a runaway slave, he could be killed. He went anyway. On foot. Over 200 miles.
- He found the ship. But the captain wouldn’t let him on. He didn’t want to be found harboring slaves among the wolfhounds he’s transporting. So, Maewyn walked toward home and prayed. In the middle of that prayer, some ship workers yelled out for him to come back. But he was too far away to hear. Some guys between them called to Maewyn, “Come back! Hurry! They’re calling you!”
- They let him on. Sailors and traveling the sea was not for the faint of heart. Yet, he was afraid of nothing. But after three days of sailing, a storm came. The ship wrecked. They wore tired, cold, and hungry. With no food. For 28 days. Maewyn prayed throughout. He tried to cheer the men up. He tried to encourage them to look on the bright side. But the men though he was stupid and his god nonexistent. So, Maywyn told them to turn to God with all their hearts and prayed right then. Then they heard some rustling nearby. They looked through the shrubs and saw a heard of wild pigs. If you know anything about wild pigs, you know they’re one of the meanest animals and hardest hunts. It takes skill, good weaponry, and more energy than their emaciated bodies would’ve had by then. But they caught one. And another. And another. They’d live! Everyone was full. Even the dogs. They gave the greatest of thanks. But Maewyn was caught again.
- But he also heard a voice saying he’d be free in two months. Fast forward two months. He was finally free. He went to school in France and became a priest. This wasn’t easy considering he’s never been in school. Fast forward years. He became a bishop at age 40—and was given the name Patricius (Latin for Patrick). He ventured home. His parents were elated. But not for long. He had another vision—this time of an Irishman giving him letters begging him to come back. The vision “pierced his heart.” So, he went back. He preached Christianity and denounced human sacrifice and slavery. And survived several attempts on his life. He built churches and Christian schools. Everyone was following him now.
4 St. Patrick Resources Worth Celebrating With
The real story is a way superior one, right? You can read his own words in his confessio. It’s really good, but not an easy or quick read. Here’s a snippet:
So, I am first of all a simple country person, a refugee, and unlearned. I do not know how to provide for the future. But this I know for certain, that before I was brought low, I was like a stone lying deep in the mud. Then he who is powerful came and in his mercy pulled me out, and lifted me up and placed me on the very top of the wall[Nota]. That is why I must shout aloud in return to the Lord for such great good deeds of his, here and now and forever, which the human mind cannot measure.
You could also watch a movie about his life like I Am Patrick.
Or read his Breastplate prayer. It’s amazing. You might even pray it yourself. I have.
Our Free St. Patrick Printable
So, tell your kiddos the real story tonight if they don’t know it. You can start by asking what they know (or think they know) about St. Patrick, what they’d like to find out, and afterward, what they’ve learned.
If you know me, you know I couldn’t help but make a printable for this. You don’t need it if you’re well-practiced at doing a verbal KWL (Know, Wonder, Learn). Otherwise, grab our St. Patrick KWL+ download— (“+” because we’ve added more)!
Then challenge your kids to come up with some more fitting decorations than shamrocks!
Enjoy!
And remember. No matter what territory you’re navigating, keep pioneering the legacy.
P.S. If you liked need a fun way to weave conversations into your reading time with your kiddos, read our Interactive Reading post and get our FREE download! You’ll take your Bible storytelling to the next level!