Patricus – the future Saint Patrick - was born around 390 in Cambria, England, the son of a deacon and grandson of a priest. When he was 14 or 16, he was captured by pirates and enslaved as a shepherd in Ireland, where he used his time in the fields to pray. After six years he escaped or was freed and made a 200-mile journey to a port, where he convinced some sailors to take him home to England. He trained for the priesthood, was ordained a bishop and then returned to Ireland. He made many missionary journeys and played a key role in converting what had been a country of pagans into a bastion of Christianity. Because of his stand against the Druids, he is often invoked against snakes and witchcraft. He died in 461 and is buried in County Down, Ireland.