Two authentic letters from St. Patrick survive, from which come the only generally accepted details of his life. He was born in Scotland circa 387 AD, and at about the age of 16 he was captured by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family.
   After entering the priesthood, he returned to Ireland as an ordained bishop. Through his kindness and dedication to teaching, be became widely loved and revered. Legend has it that he was attacked by a snake while on a forty-day fast in the wilderness and subsequently, drove all the snakes from Ireland. His Saint's Day is March 17, the date of his death. Patrick is the patron saint of engineers and those afraid of snakes.
   According to Irish legend, Saint Patrick used the shamrock as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity when he was first introducing Christianity to Ireland.
   The design for this cross was inspired by a large motif carved into the wall of a stone church in Ireland.
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