Saint Patrick and the Irish Kings

Maewyn Succat - later known as Saint Patrick - was born around 390, probably in England or Scotland. His parents, Calpurnius and Concess, were high-ranking Romans and devoted Christians. Maewyn's grandfather Potitus was a priest (at that time, priests were permitted to marry and have children).

Despite his family's involvement in the church, young Maewyn was not particularly religious. In his mid-teens he committed some unknown sin. A few weeks later his village was invaded by Irish raiders under the command of the great high king Niall of the Nine Hostages. They killed Maewyn's father and kidnapped many people, including Maewyn and his sisters Lupida and Daererca.

King Niall and his fleet returned to Ireland with their hostages, where Maewyn was sold to a chief or king named Milchu. (What became of Maewyn's sisters is not known.) Previously Maewyn had known only a life of privilege and luxury; now he was a slave. He spent six years caring for his master's sheep or pigs under very harsh conditions. He believed that this was his punishment for breaking God's commandments.

It was during this lonely, desperate time that he learned to pray deeply. "Thus was I purged by the Lord; and He made me fit so that I might be now what was once far from me, that I should care and labor for the salvation of others, whereas then I did not even care about myself," he later wrote.

When Maewyn was in his early twenties he dreamt that he heard a voice telling him to leave Ireland, saying, "Lo, your ship is ready." Knowing that it was a vision from God, Maewyn ran away from King Milchu and made his way 200 miles south to Wexford. There he found a boat that was bound for Gaul (France). He begged the captain to give him free passage, but the captain turned him away. Maewyn began to pray. Suddenly a crew member called him back - the captain had changed his mind.

After enduring further misadventures, Maewyn returned to his family in Britain. However, he soon left them again to journey to France, where he became a priest and took the name Patrick (Patricius Magonus Sucatus).

The story of Saint Patrick and the Irish kings will be continued next week! To learn more about Saint Patrick and Irish royal history, visit these sites:

Irish Royal History

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