An Irish Blessing: The Life of Saint Patrick

In 386 A.D, Patrick was born in Britannia to Calpurnius and Conchessa. In this time of history, most Britains belonged to the Catholic (Christian) faith and Patrick's father was a Deacon in the early Church. From his childhood, Patrick was raised in the Christian faith and was known to be a humble young boy.

                                                                  Saint Patrick, Protector of Ireland 

During his teenage years, Patrick was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold into slavery. These pirates were from Ireland and followed Celtic paganism. Under this enslavement, Patrick was ordered to watch over his master's livestock. It was through this period that Patrick held to his faith and prayed that he would be liberated from slavery. According to Patrick, he was told by God to run to the Irish coast. Upon doing so, Patrick escaped slavery and was able to return to Britannia.

After returning home, Patrick chose to enter decided to become a priest in the Catholic Church. Throughout his life, Patrick was known as a devout and pious man, devoted to the call of missionary. Upon his confirmation as a priest, Patrick chose to return to Ireland. Following the events which transpired, Patrick was called to return to Ireland and spread the word of Jesus Christ to the Irish pagans. While seeking heavenly guidance from God, Patrick traveled to a remote Irish mountain area. It was at this moment when he took his staff and drove all the snakes of Ireland into the sea.

Throughout this time, Patrick worked patiently with the people of Ireland in converting them to Christianity. As a priest of the Church, he chose to live a humble life with few means and residing in harsh environments. To explain the Christian faith, Patrick used a three-leaf shamrock to give a visual representation of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Ghost). Towards the end of his life, it is said that Patrick coverted almost the entirety of Ireland to Catholicism within forty years. Patrick helped construct the first Catholic Church located in Saul, Ireland.

                                                             Orthodox Icon of Saint Patrick of Ireland

Upon becoming Bishop of Ireland, the Irish began to flourish in their Christian faith and praised Patrick for his constant loyalty. According to history, Bishop Patrick died on March 17, 461 A.D. Within time, Patrick was canonized a saint in the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. His feast day was chosen to be March 17 and it is associated with the international celebration of “Saint Patrick’s Day”.

 

Saint Patrick is the Patron Saint of: Ireland, Nigeria, Montserrat, Boston, the Archdiocese of New York, the Archdiocese of Melbourne Australia, the Archdiocese of Newark, Rolla (Missouri), Loiza (Puerto Rico), Murcia (Spain) and Clann-Giolla-Phadraig (Ireland). St. Patrick is also the Patron Saint of: four-leaf clovers, paralegals and the power against snakes and sins.

An excerpt from the breastplate prayer of Saint Patrick:

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

                                                                      Happy Saint Patrick's Day!