The ideas shared at this link include issue of overcoming violence, by engaging forgiveness! How to Drive Out Snakes: Lessons from a guy who wasn’t even Irish. Sometime in the fourth century Patrick, a sixteen year old boy, was captured and sold into slavery with a number of other Welsh people. Yep, he was Welsh. So Patrick’s first encounter with Ireland was not one of shamrocks, beer and drinking songs. It was actually an encounter with violence, conflict and for Patrick, suffering. It is a harsh introduction to the people for whom he would one day be remembered. Nevertheless, Patrick probably remained in slavery for 6 years or so before he escaped. He returned to his family in Wales and there entered the Church. Years later, after having been ordained bishop, he returned to the land of his enemies to serve them. Voluntarily. He went to genuinely, make peace in a place where he had know pain. While he may not have actually chased dangerous slithering re