The article I am looking at comes from History.com, and is a basic story about St. Patrick. Some details are vague because of the distance of the time of the event, but a few things are clear still.
The article comes from a secular perspective, so some of the terminology is different that we would use. For example, when the word 'religion' is used, it really implies a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, but, the word is used because that is best word known for a relationship with God, by the world, so when we read the article, keep that in mind.
Patrick's family may have truly been believers in Jesus Christ, we don't know, but Patrick, like many people, wanted to explore the world for himself and did not respond to the Gospel message while he was living with his family. Obviously, he learned enough about the Gospel that when he was in trouble, and far away from home, he remembered what he had been taught, and God used knowledge to work in Patrick's heart to reconcile Patrick to Himself. Also, he could have learned the Gospel while in Ireland, after being kidnapped. Whatever truly happened, God was at work in Patrick's heart, and Patrick did indeed respond to the Gospel.
After being held captive for six years, God made a way for Patrick to go back to Britain and soon after that God impressed on his heart to go back to Ireland to serve the Christians there and to bring the Gospel message to the Irish people. It is not known how much the Gospel was already extended to in Ireland, or if it were even there at all in any degree, but St. Patrick took the Gospel message to Ireland where he spent the rest of his life. '
Like all moves of God in groups of people, the Gospel message that St. Patrick brought to Ireland became faded as the years went on. Eventually, superstition set in and the stories of St. Patrick had evolved into messages of shamrocks, good luck, and the wearing of green clothing. But his message lives on forever in the hearts of those who belong to God. St. Patrick's life should be an incentive and challenge to us to bring the Gospel message to those around us, wherever we live. God's word remains forever and people will be eternally changed by the Gospel message being activated in their own hearts.
http://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/who-was-saint-patrick
Think about this: St. Patrick was probably alive at the same time St. Augustine was, although St. Augustine was older.
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