Q: I know Patrick was the patron of saints....that scared away the snakes...(snakes being evil!?!...) Anyway......what is a patron...and what snakes....and why!!!???
A: Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, was a Christian during the persecution of the Roman Empire. A "Patron Saint" is one who is specially prayed to for intercession to God by a particular group of people who have a unique connection to the person. As a child he was captured and made a slave in Ireland. During this time he began to develop a fondness for the Irish people. When he was released from his bondage as a young man he went back to Rome and became a priest and then a bishop. He was sent by the Church as a missionary back to Ireland to convert the people to Christianity. As a way of explaining the Mystery of the Holy Trinity to them, he used the shamrock, which has three leaves coming from one stem. He is also said to have performed many miracles, one being the legend of the driving of the snakes. According to the story, Ireland was infested with deadly snakes across the land, with many people being bitten and becoming ill. Patrick, feeling compassion for his adopted people, condemned the snakes and suppossedly sent them to drown in the Irish Sea. The story seems to be more of a legend than a fact. Nonetheless, he did a wondrous job at converting the people to the faith, which is why we honor him to this day.
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