Patrick

Bishop, Patron Saint of Ireland

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Tomorrow is St Patrick's Day but it is also Passion Sunday, which takes Precedence in the Liturgical Calandar. But anyone with any Irish blood in their vains is not going to want to forego celebrating St Patrick's Day - so I am presenting it today for you instead, and you can still wear green tomorrow.

St Patrick
St Patrick,
Bishop,
Patron Saint of Ireland

Picture courtesy of www.lighthousetattoo.net

Patrick grew up in a Romanised village on the west coast of Britain somewhere between the Severn and the Clyde. When nearly 16, Patrick was captured by Irish raiders and spent 6 years as a slave. Patrick had been introduced to Christianity, and called himself Christian but it was during this crisis in his life, he really turned to God in prayer and found the reality of Jesus. Eventually he escaped from slavery and begged passage on a boat sailing to the continent.

Many adventures and difficult times followed before he managed to return to his family. This was a period of marked spiritual growth for him, with a profound deepening of his inner life.

After training in the church, Patrick felt called to bring the gospel, to the people who had held him in slavery. About 432 he returned to Ireland as bishop, setting up his base at Armagh. From this centre he walked over much of northern and central Ireland, leading many to Christ. His ministry was marked by simplicity and deep pastoral care, as he proclaimed the unearned and boundless love of God. He encountered strong opposition, his life was often in danger, but he was always ready to face persecution. He made no distinction between classes and was deeply concerned about abolishing paganism, while being sensitive to the culture of the people. He did not throw down their standing stones, but simply carved crosses on them. From this we can trace the development of the magnificent Celtic “high crosses”.

Patrick tried unsuccessfully to introduce the system of parishes he had seen in Gaul. He had been strongly influenced during his training by St Martin of Tours, and like Martin he also founded monasteries, these became the chief feature of the Irish church. with some including several thousand monks. His clergy were volunteers from Britain and Gaul and Irish converts.

His writings, and in particular his own account of his spiritual development, his 'Confessions', show him as a very humane person, deeply attached to his Lord, with a simple, uncomplicated faith. The hymn known as “St Patrick’s Breastplate” is attributed to him. The dates of his birth and death are uncertain and debated. The Irish Annuls for the 5th Century record the death of "Patrick, the arch-apostle (or archbishop and apostle) of the Scoti", on 17 March in 492/3 age 120 years. He is so beloved as the 'Apostle of Ireland' that his day has become not just his memorial but a cultural celebration of Ireland itself.

BORN: c.390, Roman Britian

DIED:17 March c.461, Ireland.