Patrick sent as a missionary to Ireland would have adhered to normal missionary practice, not going to communities which already knew the message of the gospel. This would explain why his writings make no mention of any other Christian leaders. Patrick alludes to the fact that his preaching, teaching and baptising were done in areas which had not yet heard the message of the gospel, ‘we are witnesses that the Gospel has been preached unto those parts beyond which there lives nobody.’ Patrick’s mission was motivated by what has become known as The Great Commission, where Christ commends his followers to go into all the world and preach the gospel, baptising people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

In the Confession we read of a passionate evangelist, one who wanted to see great numbers respond to the gospel, ‘Hence it was most necessary to spread our nets so that a great multitude and throng might be caught for God, and that there be clerics everywhere to baptize and exhort a people in need and want…’ ‘When I baptized so many thousands of people, did I perhaps expect from any of them as much as half a scruple?’

‘For I am very much God's debtor, who gave me such grace that many people were reborn in God through me and afterwards confirmed, and that clerics were ordained for them everywhere’, Patrick not only saw people come to faith in Christ, he also put in place mechanisms to lead these new converts and to see them mature.

Patrick’s mission touched all levels of society. He was at home with all social classes and believed that Christ was relevant to all, ‘Among others, a blessed Irishwoman of noble birth, beautiful, full-grown, whom I had baptized.’ Patrick seems to have had a group travel with him, perhaps those who were in training for leadership; he refers to looking after the well being of the kings’ sons who travelled with him.

It seems that Patrick enjoyed favour and status in the society of his day. Yet he went to great pains to point out that he did not abuse that favour and status. He emphasises that he did not make money from preaching the gospel –‘ And many gifts were offered to me in sorrow and tears, and I offended the donors, much against the wishes of some of my seniors; but, guided by God, in no way did I agree with them or acquiesce…’ When I baptized so many thousands of people, did I perhaps expect from any of them as much as half a scruple? Tell me, and I will restore it to you. Or when the Lord ordained clerics everywhere through my unworthy person and I conferred the ministry upon them free, if I asked any of them as much as the price of my shoes, speak against me and I will return it to you. On the contrary, I spent money for you that they might receive me; and I went to you and everywhere for your sake in many dangers, even to the farthest districts, beyond which there lived nobody and where nobody had ever come to baptize, or to ordain clergy, or to confirm the people. With the grace of the Lord, I did everything lovingly and gladly for your salvation.’ ‘For Christ the Lord, too, was poor for our sakes; and I, unhappy wretch that I am, have no wealth even if I wished for it.’

Patrick stresses that his motives were pure in coming to preach in Ireland, he says, ‘Behold, again and again would I set forth the words of my confession. I testify in truth and in joy of heart before God and His holy angels that I never had any reason except the Gospel and its promises why I should ever return to the people from whom once before I barely escaped.’ It is probable that with so much emphasis on defending himself on this issue of money, that either he was being accused of misusing his position or there were others around him in church life who had misused theirs and Patrick wanted to go to great lengths to show how he and his calling were authentic.

Patrick’s mission may not have been the only one to Ireland but it was important, there is no reason to believe that he did not see many people impacted by the gospel. He is known as the ‘Apostle’ to the Irish, and this title befits him.