The story of Saint Patrick

 (Foundation Stage - KS1 'People to remember)

Once long ago on the west coast of England there lived a young boy. His home was in a village with his mother and father. He played in the woods and fields with the other children, and was content enough with his quiet life.

But one day a terrible thing happened. A boat landed on the seashore near his village. It was full of pirates from a foreign country. They made him their prisoner and sailed away to Ireland. They sold the boy as a slave and even though he was quite young, he had to start work for his master.

The boy was given the job of a shepherd. Every day, he had to go off into the fields to look after the sheep. He had to make sure they didn't stray off and get lost, or get eaten by wild animals. He had to follow them across the green fields and hills and make sure they came to no harm. His life was a lonely one, with only the sheep for company. Often he prayed to God to cheer himself up and to feel there was somebody looking after him. Years went by and little changed.

Then one day he had a chance to escape! He found a boat that would take him back home to his family. He was so happy. His parents cried with joy to see him again. He thought he would never leave.

But one night he had a dream. He dreamed that people were calling him from Ireland across the sea, crying out, 'Holy boy! Come and live amongst us again!' He felt it was a call from God to serve the Irish people, to help them build churches and teach them how to live good lives.

Patrick became a priest. Once more he got into a boat, but this time it was to go and make a new home in the green and beautiful land of Ireland. Patrick spent the rest of his life faithfully helping and teaching the Irish people. They grew to love him so much that when he died, they chose him as the special saint of Ireland.

March 17th - St. Patrick's Day - is when Irish people remember how Patrick dedicated his life to caring for them. And it's a day when Irish people all over the world think about their own love for their country and its traditions.

Sue Ward, General Adviser - RE & SACRE
Cambridgeshire Advisory Service - Updated 17 Sep 2007