St. Patrick is credited with spreading Christianity across Ireland. Because of his dedication to spreading the word, Catholic churches mark his day with reverence. 

The Diocese of Allentown celebrated Thursday by praying that St. Patrick strengthen the faith of today's Catholics.

"By the help of the prayers and intercession of St. Patrick, may all Christians proclaim the love of God to all and remain steadfast in the truth," the diocese said in a Thursday Facebook post. 

St. Patrick was born to wealthy parents in Britain near the end of the 4th century, a report on history.com said this week. Irish raiders captured him when he was 16. They sold him into slavery in Ireland, where he spent six years working in isolation as a shepherd. In his loneliness, Patrick often called upon his faith to see him through life. One day, God told him in a dream that it was time to escape and return to Britain. Patrick is thought to have walked approximately 200 miles to fulfill God's task. Later, after his return to Britain, God instructed Patrick to return to Ireland as a missionary. 

Ireland was primarily pagan at that time, a report on FranciscanMedia.org said. But Patrick allowed a dream he'd had—one in which all the children of Ireland were reaching out their hands to him—reinforce his personal commitment to the missionary work. After continuing his studies and becoming a bishop, Patrick again returned to Ireland. Despite opposition from some of the pagans, Patrick converted many of the Irish to Christianity. He ordained priests, founded monasteries, established dioceses and held meetings. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and of engineers. 

St. Patrick's name is linked with several myths and legends, including one in which he drove all the snakes out of Ireland, a Britannica report said. 

Patrick is also credited with raising 33 people from the dead. He is said to have used shamrocks—the native flower of Ireland—to help explain the concept of the Holy Trinity.