Born into a wealthy Roman family residing in Britain, the young man we now know as Saint Patrick described himself as an "idle and callow" youth. His father was a senator, tax collector and deacon in the local church. His grandfather was a priest. However, Patrick did not take religion seriously until he was captured by Irish pirates and sold as a slave in Ireland. There the 16-year-old youth was forced to herd animals, a hard and lonely existence that caused his hunger for God to grow.

After six years of slavery, he escaped back to Britain, but he could not escape the call of God on his life. After being home a few years, he had a vision in which a messenger from Ireland called to him, "We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us." Patrick studied, prepared and then went back to Ireland where he served as "slave for Christ" until the end of his days.

In the Confession of St. Patrick he wrote, "Can it be out of the kindness of my heart that I carry out such a labor of mercy on a people who once captured me when they wrecked my father's house and carried off his servants? For by descent I was a freeman, born of a decurion father; yet I have sold this nobility of mine, I am not ashamed, nor do I regret that it might have meant some advantage to others. In short, I am a slave in Christ to this faraway people for the indescribable glory of everlasting life which is in Jesus Christ our Lord."

Patrick’s life was a radical living out of the Gospel—a choice to exchange earthly nobility for a heavenly calling. Servanthood, humility and selfless love…St. Patrick followed the example of Jesus Christ to serve his former enemies and bring life to those who were far from God. Let us go and do the same.