Monastic Mumblings, a Friar's Journey: 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 Spirit 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

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Having grown up in a church that eschewed traditional Christianity I often bemoan how little I know of our history. Thank you for this excellent post and for educating me a bit about St. Patrick, whom I know had an impact on my heritage, as I am a Riley, likely descended from Irish ancestors.

Posted by: Bryan Riley | March 19, 2008 at 09:22 AM

Ya know,

When I was in the church, the liturgical calander stayed put!

But then again, I was a Luthern, so NOTHING changed. Same old liturgical calander, same old hot dishes at the pot-lucks. Same old doughnuts at between-services-coffee time...

I think the change in hymnal color from red to green nearly caused a schism.

I have to admit, I feel better knowing it changed back recently, even though I'm not longer in the church.

Oh sure, every ten years or so we'd change back and forth between "forgive us our sins" and "forgive us our trespasses"...

...but...

You all are positivly radical! Moving feast days here and there and everywhere!

Posted by: Teresa | March 18, 2008 at 11:09 PM

Actually yes, Fr. Peters, this year St. Patrick's was moved to the 15th, and our Priest pointed out that this was Holy Week which takes all precedence over Saints Days.

However, I didn't think any one of my readers would have noticed! ;)

Ha, Next time I should be more precise.

Posted by: Monk-in-Training | March 17, 2008 at 06:18 PM