St Patrick's Writings
Initially little
interest was show in Patrick's works, they were seldom studied or even
read. This is no longer the case they are now of the greatest importance.
It was towards the end of his career that he wrote the two texts most
widely associated with St. Patrick, the Confessio or
"Declaration", and the "Letter
against the soldiers of Coroticus" Whilst the two pieces give us little factual
information about St. Patrick's vocation, however they do give us insight
to what sort of person Patrick was. The Focal point of these letters
"reveal the heart and soul of a truly remarkable man" with faith and
resourcefulness in abundance but also with numerous insecurities - to
mention but one, "He was terribly embarrassed that his Latin wasn't
very good." This very human, down-to-earth modesty that appears in Patrick's
writing goes a long way to helping us realise the enormity of the man's
achievements.
Other writings had been attributed to Patrick, namely "The
Dicta Patricii." There are other pieces of text that have been attribute
to St. Patrick, however there is some scholarly debate over this. The
Dicta Patricii is a list of isolated sayings, and scattered pieces including
the hymn, The Breastplate of St. Patrick. However the
primary sources for reconstructing Patrick's life must be the two pieces
of writing which are undoubtedly his and whatever can be accumulated
about the history of the extreme north west of Europe during the fifth
century 
