Kidnapped at 16. Enslaved, threatened, targeted. Ireland's patron saint was a survivor.

As I'm writing, plans are afoot to dye the Chicago River green in time for Chicago's annual St. Patrick's Day parade. All of this is a little ironic considering Patrick was, in his own words, a "simple country person, a refugee, and unlearned." He also recounts hardships and threats he withstood, both from Irish leaders and church leaders back home. Some say we're all a little Irish on St. Patrick's Day. But regardless of whether you're Irish, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate the imperfect but powerful life of the patron saint of Ireland.