The only true apostle of Ireland who more or less converted the country
single-handed? or a Christian bishop from the embattled edge of a
crumbling empire? All that can really be known of Patrick comes from his
authentic writings - the 'Confessio' and the 'Epistola' (Address to the
Soldiers of Coroticus). Thomas O'Loughlin's engaging yet scholarly
reflections on these fifth-century texts lead us into a greater
understanding of the mind of Patrick, the man, believer and missionary.
Explanatory notes woven through the translations illuminate a very
different world and time; it is not long before we realize, however,
that Patrick's theology is no less relevant to our own.