Patrick of Ireland 17 March 461 A. D.

Today we remember the man who many only think of once a year, with cute  shamrocks, leprechauns and green beer, but I think he was so much more than  that!

Patrick was born some where around 390 in south western Britain, possibly  between the Severn and the Clyde rivers.  We know that his Grandfather was  a priest, and his family were citizens of the Roman Empire, which in those  days was very important.  As a young man, he says that he cared little for  God or His ways. But then, when he was around 16, he was kidnapped by Irish  pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland.  This was a horrible and brutal  experience, one that I can only imagine. It is particularly hard to  understand how he went from a civilized Roman Province, to a wild  barbarian land, with no laws or protections.  We simply don't really have  anything to compare our lives today with what happened to him, but in his  despair, as often we humans do, he turned to God for help.  And just as  often, God hears us in our weakness, and Patrick escaped after about six  years. He made his way to a port, and some how persuaded some sailors to  take him back to the British coast, where he made his way home to his  family.

Patrick returned to his family a changed man, and began reading the Bible  and started preparing for the Priesthood.  The Sprit moved in his heart,  and he could not forget the people he was enslaved by. Patrick chose to NOT  take the way of anger, hatred and revenge on his captors, and by forgiving  those who had so cruelly sinned against him, Patrick changed the history of  the world. He was eventually ordained a Priest by St. Germanus, the Bishop of  Auxerre, under whom he had studied for some years.

Shortly after 433 or so, Patrick was ordained a Bishop and made his  vocation to be missionary to the Irish people.

Patrick began preaching the Gospel all over Ireland, and started the  conversion of the Irish people. He was many times in danger, among people  who were pretty much savages, and often times not only not welcoming, but  down right dangerous. Nonetheless, Patrick and those who followed him began  building churches, and preached throughout the country.  They often  converted Kings and their families, helping entire kingdoms to see the  Light of Christ.

That is how Patrick changed the world, because a soon the Roman Empire fell  in the West, and learning and knowledge were snuffed out.  That is all but  in Ireland, where the newly illiterate Monks carefully recorded and  transmitted what information they could throughout the dark ages. If not for  the Irish Monks, the Western world would have lost a great deal of its  knowledge and literary heritage.

After about 40 years of preaching, teaching, and building Patrick wrote of  his love for God in in his life Confession. Then, after years of living in  poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died on March 17, 461.

He died where he had built his first Church, the town of Saul.

Patrick was a humble, pious, gentle man, whose love and total devotion to  and trust in God is an inspiration to me, and I am glad that our Parish  should have such an example  as our Patron.  Patrick did not fear anything,  not even his own death, so complete was his trust in God, and of the  importance of his mission.

So, why the Shamrock?   The Celtic people were much closer to nature than  their Roman counterparts back in the Empire, so Patrick used a simple  shamrock to explain how the Trinity can be Three and One. Ever since, we  associate the shamrock with him and the Irish people.

Almighty God, Who in Your providence chose Your servant Patrick to be the Apostle of the Irish people, to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge of You: Grant us so to walk in that light, that we may come at last to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen.

Comments

[Ben H]

I meant to say improperly in my previous post. Its late and I shouldn't be writing anything.

[Ben H]

I think its a real shame when our holidays are taught properly. In public school I never heard why St. Patrick's day was a holiday. God made it a point for the Israelites to celebrate certain feast days because it reminded them of their history with Him. Our holidays should remind us of our history as well.

[stephen]

I've been reading this to my classes at the beginning of class today. I think they've appreciated knowing the history behind such a common cultural holiday. Thanks.