Saint Patrick

by William J. Federer

Kidnapped as a boy, Patrick was a slave for six years in Ireland. After a miraculous escape, he was called back by a dream and founded 300 churches, baptized 120,000 believers!

130 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

William J. Federer is a nationally recognized speaker, best-selling author, and president of Amerisearch, Inc., a publishing company focused on America's heritage. His "American Minute" radio feature airs daily nationwide, and his television program "Faith in History" broadcasts on the TCT Network and DirecTV.
A former U.S. Congressional candidate, Bill has appeared on major media outlets such as CSPAN, FOX, NPR, TBN, MSNBC, NewsMax, OAN, and Real America's Voice. He has been featured on shows like Hannity, The O’Reilly Factor, The Eric Metaxas Show, Prager U, and others. On radio, he has been interviewed by Focus on the Family, Salem Radio Network, USA Radio Network, and numerous other programs.
Bill’s writing has been quoted in USA Today, The New York Times, Washington Times, Washington Post, and WorldNetDaily, among others. His book America's God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations has sold over half a million copies and remains widely cited. Other titles by Bill include Change to Chains, Socialism: The Real History from Plato to the Present, The Ten Commandments and Their Influence on American Law, George Washington Carver: His Life & Faith In His Own Words, and What Every American Needs to Know About the Qur'an.
Bill has spoken extensively across the U.S. at political conventions, military bases, universities, high schools, churches, and national landmarks like Mount Rushmore and the Lincoln Memorial. His audiences have included Congress members, military officers, students, and civic organizations.
Honored for his contributions to history and public service, Bill has received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from American Christian College and an Honorary Doctorate of Global Leadership from Midwest University. Other awards include the George Washington Honor Medal by the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge and the National Association of Christian Lawmakers' Lifetime Achievement Award.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Bill graduated from St. Louis University High School and earned his business degree from St. Louis University. He is the fifth of eleven children and married his wife Susie in 1981. Bill has worked in real estate, oil & gas, and religious organizations and is an original signer of the Manhattan Declaration.
In politics, Bill’s Congressional campaigns in 2000 and 2004 were notable. Running against Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, Bill mounted one of the most expensive and closely watched races in the nation, setting voting records for a Republican in Missouri’s 3rd District.

Reviews

[Joshua Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, easy, and well documented book on the life of St. Patrick. He is a true inspiration for missionary endeavor today and Triune, Christ-saturated devotion to God.

[Dawson Romines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great work. Gives a concise yet detailed account of Patrick’s life and work. Best feature of the book is that it includes several of Patrick’s own writings at the end!

[Wayne Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many people think of “Saint Patrick” only as the name of a holiday that gives them leave to drink lots and lots of beer and maybe parade around publicly in green underwear. However, I doubt that the individual for whom the day is named would approve of such behavior. Patrick (Latin Patricius) was a fifth century Roman-British Christian missionary to Ireland. He was born in the latter part of the fourth century, possibly around A.D. 387, at Bonavem Taberniae, an unknown location in Roman Britain. His father Calpurnius was a Roman civil magistrate in Britain and also a deacon in the church. His grandfather Potitus was a minister. His mother Conchessa taught him to pray, but he apparently did not become a Christian while living at home.

At the age of sixteen, Patrick was captured by Irish raiders while working on his father’s farm near the seaside and taken to Ireland to be a slave around A.D. 405. During his six years of slavery among the pagan Celts, he decided to give his life to Christ. After his escape, it is believed that he spent some years in Europe, mostly in Gaul (France), studying at various monasteries. Eventually, he returned to his family in Britain but decided to become a missionary and go back to Ireland. He was eventually sent around A.D. 431 to replace Palladius who is believed to have been martyred. During the next thirty years or so he founded 300 churches and baptized 120,000 believers. Following his death on Mar. 17, 461, although some sources give it as late as 493, he was said to have “found Ireland all heathen and left it all Christian.” It is always good to read about the lives of those who made their decisions in life as a result of their firm faith in God.

Of course, many legends have grown up about Patrick. While referring to those legends in this book, our friend, author Bill Federer, lifts the shroud of myth from St. Patrick and covers in detail his true life story. There are chapters on his captivity, conversion, years in Europe, calling, trials, faith, and legacy. The text of the book is sprinkled with pictures to illustrate the culture, landscape, and people of Patrick’s birthplace in Roman Britain and his mission field in Ireland. An appendix includes the two historically confirmed writings of St. Patrick, “The Confession of Patrick” and the “Letter to Coroticus,” along with “Patrick’s Breastplate,” which is a hymn attributed to Patrick, and an article “The Code of St. Patric” about how he helped codify the law of Ireland. There are also a bibliography and copious endnotes to document this biography. While non-denominational, New Testament Christians don’t refer to religious heroes by the title “Saint,” we understand that many in the world do. Though short, this book is recommended to anyone who has an interest in the history of Patrick and Ireland.

[Rodney Farrell Sr · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a pamphlet than a book, Federer shares a history of Patrick and "The Confession of Patrick" and his "Letter to Coroticus" which provides insight to Patrick's faith and work as a cleric to the Celtic. The author provides an extensive list of biographical information. I recommend this book to those have an interest in history of Patrick and Ireland.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like this is really a pamphlet you'd be able to pick up at any churches that might claim to have Saint Patrick buried within their grounds. Quite an extensive bibliography listed at the end but this is certainly not a scholarly work itself.