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To prepare for the Irish mission Patrick left Britain and went to France. Most of this period or preparation was spent at Auxerre (about 100 miles from Paris) where he was ordained deacon about 417, and continued his training under the guidance of Saint Germanus of Auxerre. In 429 Pope Celestine I sent Saint Germanus to Britain to deal with a heresy problem. While in Britain, Germanus discussed the possibility of a mission to Ireland. Patrick, whose desire to go to Ireland was well known, was mentioned as a suitable man to put in charge of it. Patrick was opposed and in 431 a deacon called Palladius was consecrated bishop and commissioned to go to Ireland. Palladius went to Ireland and began his missionary work but he died within one year. Patrick was consecrated bishop in 432 and went to Ireland.

Patrick does not go into detail about his work in Ireland. Indeed he says "it would be tedious to give a detailed account of all my labours or even part of them". It is clear he met with many different hardships in Ireland. He thanked God who rescued him twelve times when his life was in danger, and goes on to say: "I came to the Irish heathens to preach the Good News and to put up with insults from unbelievers; I heard my mission abused, I endured many persecutions even to the extent of chains; I gave up my free born status for the good of others". He acknowledged that he was very much in debt to God who gave him so much grace that through him many people were born again in God and afterwards confirmed, and that priests were ordained for them everywhere.

Patrick concluded his Confession with a prayer for perserverance:
"I ask God for perserverance, to grant that I remain a faithful witness to him until my passing from this life... I pray those who believe and fear God, whosoever deigns to look at or receive this writing which Patrick, a sinner, unlearned has composed in Ireland, that no one should ever say that it was my ignorance if I did or showed forth anything however small according to God's good pleasure; but let this be your conclusion and let it be thought that - as is the perfect truth - it was the gift of God".

the previous part of our article on the Life of Saint Patrick

the first part of our article on the Life of Saint Patrick

Back to Saint Patrick's Mission

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