Patron of IrelandSt. Patrick was the son of a prominent Roman family in Scotland. At the age of 16 he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland. After years as a slave, Patrick escaped only to return to Ireland. He traveled across the country for the next 30 years preaching and baptizing the Irish people. St. Patrick used the three leaves and single stem of Ireland?s shamrock flower to explain the Holy Trinity. Legend is that St. Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland!