+ St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints. Known as the Apostle of Ireland, Patrick was born at Dumbarton, Kilpatrick, in Scotland in 387; and died at Saul, Downpatrick Ireland in 461. Along with St. Nicholas and St. Valentine, the secular world shares our love of these saints. Today, St. Patrick's Day is a day when "everyone is Irish." There are many legends and stories about St. Patrick – but these are some facts: he was born in Scotland; his parents, Calpurnius and Conchessa were Romans living in Britain in charge of the colonies. As a boy of fourteen, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.
During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote: "The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was roused, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same." "I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."
Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britain where he reunited with his family. Then he had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him: "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more." This moved him to begin his studies for the priesthood and he was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, with whom he had studied for years. Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. One legend says that he soon met a chieftain from one of the resident tribes who tried to kill him. But Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick.
St. Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message. This is the truth behind the legend that St. Patrick drove out all of the snakes from Ireland. The "snake" was paganism. Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for forty years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. He taught the people using ordinary objects like the shamrock to explain the mysteries and love of God. The three-part-leafed shamrock was used to explain the Trinity and has been associated with him and the Irish since that time. Patrick, after years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering died on March 17, 461. May he be a shining example to each of us: so complete was his trust in God, so humble, pious, gentle, loving and devoted was his manner –that he could be held up not only as the Patron Saint of Ireland, but also a friend and intercessor for any and all who are in need of more faith, more hope and more love!
God bless you.
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