5. The Fifth Century and St. Patrick

When Patrick was kidnapped by Irish slavers in the year 405 a.d., he thought he would never see his home or family again, and his resentment toward the Irish was deep and strong. Over time, however, he came to love the Irish, and vowed that if ever freed from slavery, he would return to preach the gospel to the people he had once so deeply resented. His vision was realized, and for forty years, Patrick labored among the Irish, establishing a foundation for Christian understanding that would last for centuries after his death.