Today is St. Patrick’s Day, the patron saint of Ireland.

Many myths and legends have grown up around him, such as he drove all the snakes out of Ireland, or he used a shamrock to teach about the trinity.

However, factually, we know very little about him. According to tradition, he was born in the late fourth century but did not come from Ireland but somewhere in West Wales.

He was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He later escaped but returned around 432 to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, this Christian pioneer had become a bishop and had succeeded in establishing numerous monasteries, churches, and schools on the isle of Ireland.

Indeed, through Patrick's legacy, Christianity became firmly rooted in the country and moulded the nation's culture and way of life for centuries. Only in recent times has secularisation weakened its influence on the island's peoples.

Despite the dearth of reliable information about St. Patrick, it is clear that this shady character living in distant times had developed a deep relationship with Jesus Christ; and was inspired to leave his homeland and cross the Irish Sea to bring people to Jesus.

He did this because, like other missionaries, he wanted others to discover the same extra dimension to life and living as he himself had found.

This week’s thought: Is there is missing ingredient in your recipe for life?