What do you make of Saint Patrick’s Day? For some of us it might mean a day off work or school or attending a parade. However, as Christians it is also very easy to be put off by the way many people currently choose to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with more drink than sense.

Can we learn anything from the life of Patrick who lived 1,600 years ago as evangelicals in 2025? I think we can. Behind the holiday celebrated right across the globe there is the life of a truly remarkable man. A life which should still challenge us today.

Patrick’s life was one filled with many twists and turns. He was born in Great Britain to a wealthy family around 390 AD. It is likely that his father was a church deacon. Around the age of 16 he was taken prisoner by pirates and brought to Ireland. He would spend the next six years of his life as a slave looking after sheep. It was during these particularly difficult and isolating years that Patrick remembered the Christian faith he had been exposed to as a boy and his faith grew. Despite living in slavery, Patrick discovered a freedom and joy that only God can give. Like Patrick, it is often the case that it is when we are at our lowest that God speaks to us. 

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"Like Patrick, it is often the case that it is when we are at our lowest that God speaks to us."

After this period spent as a shepherd, Patrick managed to escape his slave masters and would eventually reunite with his family in Britain. While back in Britain Patrick felt the strong sense of a call from God to return to Ireland as a missionary. Patrick’s education had been greatly disrupted by his time as a slave, but he did not let this stop him from proclaiming the gospel. He would return to Ireland to begin his ministry around 432 AD.

Back in Ireland, Patrick began preaching and sharing the good news of the gospel with the locals. Ministry in Ireland at this time was particularly challenging. Ireland was a pagan land and idolatry was widespread. Many in Patrick’s time believed Ireland to be the end of the world and viewed the Irish as an uncivilised and barbaric people. Yet Patrick persevered through great personal hardships, threats and rejections to bring the gospel to this largely unreached people. He was a pioneering and innovative missionary. His starting point was to evangelise the chiefs of the various tribes and clans.

Patrick’s ministry in Ireland would last around three decades and saw the foundation of many thriving churches across the island. According to tradition, he died on 17th March around 460 AD. Patrick’s legacy was significant. In the centuries that followed, Ireland would, in turn, send out missionaries across Europe.

"According to tradition, he died on 17th March around 460 AD. Patrick’s legacy was significant. In the centuries that followed, Ireland would, in turn, send out missionaries across Europe."

In Patrick’s life we see parallels with the biblical accounts of the lives of Daniel and Joseph. Like Patrick, both these biblical characters were taken to a different land against their will but were greatly used by God in an unfamiliar and often hostile context. Daniel was taken to Babylon and quickly gained influence with those in authority. 

Through his example of faithfulness and devotion to God, Daniel showed various kings the futility of earthly power and that his god was the one true God. Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt by his own brothers, but from this he would eventually be well placed to save the country and his family from famine. Similarly, Patrick’s years as a slave and shepherd in Ireland were not wasted. In God’s providence he was able to learn some of the language, local culture and developed a heart for the Irish people. He was better equipped for his subsequent ministry.

Patrick’s example highlights the importance of mission to those who are different from us or difficult to deal with. Patrick was willing to share the good news of the gospel with his former captors and was undeterred by threats against his life. Jesus instructs us in Luke 6:27 – 28 to “…love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” In Patrick’s life we see the importance of showing God’s love to those who have done us wrong.

"In Patrick’s life we see the importance of showing God’s love to those who have done us wrong."

Just as the world that Patrick lived in was shaken by the collapse of the Roman Empire, today we see much upheaval and uncertainty on the international stage. Yet the gospel continues to advance and the church continues to grow just as it did in Patrick’s day.

In Matthew 28:19 – 20 Jesus commanded his disciples, ​“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” In his life and ministry Patrick obeyed the Great Commission. A vital aspect of being an evangelical is evangelising!

To learn more Saint Patrick and access resources for your church, visit: patrick​sto​ry​.ie/

This Saint Patrick’s Day, who could you share the good news of the gospel with?