St. Patrick's journey to Ireland at the age of 16 was not one of his own choosing, but rather the result of a raid by Irish pirates who enslaved him and brought him to the country.
Enslavement and Captivity
Around the age of 16, St. Patrick was abducted from his home in Britain by Irish raiders. He was taken to Ireland and forced into slavery, where he worked as a shepherd for six years. During this time, he lived in the Slemish Mountains in County Antrim
Spiritual Transformation
In his *Confessio*, St. Patrick describes his time in captivity as crucial to his spiritual development, where he turned to God in prayer. According to folklore, he saw his time as a slave as a test of his faith and became devoted to Christianity.
**Escape and Return**
After six years of servitude, St. Patrick had a dream in which he was told to escape and return to Britain. He fled his master and eventually found a ship that took him back home. After reuniting with his family, he continued to study Christianity. Some accounts say he entered the priesthood in France under St. Germain.
Mission to Ireland
Driven by a vision, St. Patrick returned to Ireland as a missionary, seeking to convert the Irish people to Christianity. Despite initial hostility, he persevered and successfully spread Christianity throughout the country, converting many and building churches.
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Very nice thanks
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