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For a number of years Patrick wandered through Gaul. Conscious of his lack of formal training in theology and law he spent his time talking to and learning from the wise deacons and Bishops and soon he himself was made a bishop in Rome.
He was lonely in Gaul so he went to visit his relations in Britain. While he was there he had another vision in which a man arrived from Ireland with many letters and one was for himself. The letter said "We ask you boy to come and walk once more among us". Patrick was delighted and went immediately.
The people of Ireland at this time were pagens under the influence of the Druids and they worshipped idols. Patrick had first to rid the country of these "magicans" and this is symbolised by the banishing of snakes forever from Ireland.
He now set about converting the people to Christianity. His deep faith and belief in the Blessed Trinity made this doctrine a centre piece of his instruction. To help explain the mystery he used the simple three leaf shamrock to illustrate three persons in the one God.
St. Patrick died in 461. By this time he had created an established structured church throughout the country. His converts were across the entire social classes from Princes to slaves and many of his priests and deacons were from the youth of Ireland. He is still to this day the most famous figure in Irish History and is one of the best known figures throughout the Christian world.
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