Why did St Patrick return to the Ireland that enslaved him?

The man, the myth, the legend

ANSON COUNTY — Every March 17, millions of Americans happily don green attire to celebrate their Irish heritage — whether or not they’re actually Irish. At the helm of the celebrations is good ole’ St. Patrick. But what do you really know about the man? Probably not as much as you think … Everyone knows the story: Patrick was an Irish saint who rid the land of snakes. Right? Not even close. Source

Why did St Patrick return to the Ireland that enslaved him?

By Philip Freeman Everyone knows about St Patrick – the man who drove the snakes out of Ireland, defeated fierce druids in contests of magic and used the shamrock to explain the Christian Trinity to the pagan Irish. It’s a great story – but none of it is true. The shamrock legend came along centuries after Patrick’s death, as did the miraculous battles against the druids. And forget about the story about him driving out the snakes – Ireland neve…

St. Patrick: Do you know the myth or the man? - Catholic Review

Few annual events are more universally anticipated and celebrated than St. Patrick’s Day. It seems that no place or people on earth are immune from the activities, the frivolities, the food and drink that take place every March 17. The day is so highly regarded that during the season of Lent, if St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday (which happens about every six years) Catholic bishops in many dioceses lift the law mandating abstinence from meat …

Man, Myth, Missionary: Reconnecting with the Real St. Patrick

St. Patrick is much more than a worldwide party or a sentimental Irish sobfest. His true legacy lies in his zeal for Ireland's conversion.