St. Patrick Facts
St. Patrick is the Patron saint of Ireland, who was born in 387 AD. His feast day is March 17. He is one of the world's most popular saints. Originally, he was an apostle of Ireland. His birth is often debated, but is agreed upon as being born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland. He is among the group of saints that are celebrated to date. These celebrations are Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day and Valentine’s Day, which are the saints St. Nicholas and St. Valentine. They all share our love of these saints. St. Patrick’s Day is a day when everyone acts Irish. This saint was a humble, spiritual, and noble man. He had great love, trust and total devotion to God. He pretty much feared nothing, he had not even feared the act of death. This was the result of his complete trust in God, and of the importance of his mission. (Catholic Online)
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His story isn’t understood all the way.
This is because there are many legends and stories of St. Patrick. However, his actual story is his birth above and that his parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britain. They were in charge of the colonies. (Catholic Online) His parents taught him many different items. He lived in a world “rich with stories and colorful tales.” As a child, he heard many Greek and Roman stories that inlvoved the ancient mythological heroes. This included: Hercules, Jason and the Argonauts, and crafty Ulysses. However, even though Patrick was a Roman and was an heir to this great classical tradition, his parents’ lessons reach deeper meaning. These lessons eventually evolved into the main grouping as Celtic mythology. (Freeman
2005)
When he was about 14 years old, he was kidnapped during a raiding party and taken to Ireland. He was now a slave, and had to herd and tend sheep. Ireland was currently a land of priests and pagans. There, he learned the language and practices of the people who had him. During his captivity, he also turned to God in prayer. He had written down a memorable quote that said "The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, 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." (Catholic Online)
Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty. This is when he escaped after having a dream from God where he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. This is where he found some sailors that took him back to Britain, and where he reunited with his family. However, he had another dream where the people of Ireland were calling out to him. They were saying, "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more." By this happening, he began his studies for the priesthood. This created an incentive for him to become a priest. Then, he was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years. Eventually, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and then was sent away to take the Gospel to Ireland. He had arrived in Ireland on March 25, 433, at Slane. According to legend, St. Patrick met a chieftain of one of the tribes, and this man had tried to kill Patrick. Then, St. Patrick converted the chieftain, whose name was Dichu. This is only because Dichu could not move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick. (Catholic Online)
Historically, St. Patrick eventually led on to beginning to preach the Gospel throughout Ireland. This led to him converting many people, including: kings, their families, and entire kingdoms when they had heard Patrick's message. He had done many miracles and written his love for God within Confessions. This also included his teachings. The reason why the shamrock is affiliated with Patrick and the Irish is because he used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. Patrick and his disciples began building churches all over the country. Patrick, with a large following of disciples, which included later canonized people named Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac. His preaching and conversions throughout Ireland lasted for 40 years. (Catholic Online) His hard labor had lasted for decades, not only as a priest, but as a bishop. He continuously showed faith for God despite the constant threats of slavery and death people had proposed. He was also harassed by jealous church officials. Now, that is exactly why he survives to the current date and provides an influence to those that celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. (Freeman 2005) Finally, after St. Patrick had lived years within poverty, traveled and endured much suffering, he had died on March 17, 461 AD, at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, which is where he had built the first church. (Catholic Online)
Mirror of Christ: Biblical Parallels As stated before, St. Patrick was enslaved and captivated. However, even though he was harmed by others he decided not to treat them the same way. Just as Jesus treated his betrayers with kindness and respect, St. Patrick did the same. He essentially wanted to truly live the holy life. Jesus had The Golden Rule “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (“Matthew 7:12”) This rule provides influence within St. Patrick’s life. He lived by this law to the fullest. For example, St. Patrick provided the way of life to Dichu, his captivator. This not only shows that Patrick was able to overcome his obstacle, but that he essentially is provided with God’s power to denounce evil. Rev. Sean Brady said "He was a man who came to face and help his former enemies who had enslaved him. He came back to help them and to do them a great favor -- the greatest favor he possibly could."
Also, Jesus came on this earth to provide salvation to God’s children. Even though we purposely sin, he still was sent here to be sacrificed in order to save us. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (“John 10: 10-11”) St. Patrick may not have purposely adopted this verse, but he did follow it. He helped bring about the Kingdom of God on earth. This shown within St. Patrick’s life. He helped many people convert and become saved. This involved him creating a major disciple following. The consequences of his action was creating a bigger following for God and Jesus. People are now becoming saved and provided with path to heaven.
Finally, Jesus said to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (“Matthew 5:16”) Overall, all of Patrick’s actions supported this verse. Jesus and Patrick essentially had parallelism. They were linear in action. God, in heaven, was glorified by the actions of St. Patrick. He never showed hatred and never aimed to get revenge. He just prayed, supported, and spread God out to everyone.
Reflection
This entire paper on St. Patrick has actually provided more knowledge and faith. I have learned much more from St. Patrick. Essentially, I realize that I have to devote more of myself to God and Jesus. If Patrick could give himself up and never betray God, then I should be able to. St. Patrick showed that what it means to be a Christian is to give your all to everyone. Christians don’t aim to support malevolence. Christians are supposed to be good and have a true heart. There has to be the ability for one to donate time and resources to others. I like the fact that St. Patrick was so faithful and worthy. He never gave up during times of stress and disadvantage. When he was captivated, he never lost touch with God. As a matter of fact, he was strengthened and had the urge to give back to God and become a priest. I actually find it difficult to understand how it felt for St. Patrick to spread God’s word to a great amount of people. I have never spread out God’s word, or Gospel, to a large group of people. At least, I have tried to spread his word, but St. Patrick had a much greater influence. Not only did it probably feel good to spread God, but to have people smiling and giving thanks to you for your influence. Overall, he challenges me to overcome obstacles and create God’s continuous kingdom. God depends on his children to spread his kingdom, but now my challenge is to provide more assistance. This involves large groups of people following, more faith, and decreased intolerance. I will have to adjust some things to solve the problems. Then, shall God’s kingdom continue to be progressed.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
Give me the ability to continuously have faith. Just as St. Patrick was so faithful and full of life, I beg of you to allow me to wake up every morning and spread your word. Those untrue beings shall now be changed of their evils. God, give me the ability to provide the use of my wisdom to help others. Your children should all be together, but Satan has spread us apart. Now, I ask for you to provide more influence and give me the devout faith to destroy bad touches. Thank you father for your help and being there for your children. Amen.
His story isn’t understood all the way.
This is because there are many legends and stories of St. Patrick. However, his actual story is his birth above and that his parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britain. They were in charge of the colonies. (Catholic Online) His parents taught him many different items. He lived in a world “rich with stories and colorful tales.” As a child, he heard many Greek and Roman stories that inlvoved the ancient mythological heroes. This included: Hercules, Jason and the Argonauts, and crafty Ulysses. However, even though Patrick was a Roman and was an heir to this great classical tradition, his parents’ lessons reach deeper meaning. These lessons eventually evolved into the main grouping as Celtic mythology. (Freeman
2005)
When he was about 14 years old, he was kidnapped during a raiding party and taken to Ireland. He was now a slave, and had to herd and tend sheep. Ireland was currently a land of priests and pagans. There, he learned the language and practices of the people who had him. During his captivity, he also turned to God in prayer. He had written down a memorable quote that said "The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, 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." (Catholic Online)
Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty. This is when he escaped after having a dream from God where he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. This is where he found some sailors that took him back to Britain, and where he reunited with his family. However, he had another dream where the people of Ireland were calling out to him. They were saying, "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more." By this happening, he began his studies for the priesthood. This created an incentive for him to become a priest. Then, he was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years. Eventually, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and then was sent away to take the Gospel to Ireland. He had arrived in Ireland on March 25, 433, at Slane. According to legend, St. Patrick met a chieftain of one of the tribes, and this man had tried to kill Patrick. Then, St. Patrick converted the chieftain, whose name was Dichu. This is only because Dichu could not move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick. (Catholic Online)
Historically, St. Patrick eventually led on to beginning to preach the Gospel throughout Ireland. This led to him converting many people, including: kings, their families, and entire kingdoms when they had heard Patrick's message. He had done many miracles and written his love for God within Confessions. This also included his teachings. The reason why the shamrock is affiliated with Patrick and the Irish is because he used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. Patrick and his disciples began building churches all over the country. Patrick, with a large following of disciples, which included later canonized people named Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac. His preaching and conversions throughout Ireland lasted for 40 years. (Catholic Online) His hard labor had lasted for decades, not only as a priest, but as a bishop. He continuously showed faith for God despite the constant threats of slavery and death people had proposed. He was also harassed by jealous church officials. Now, that is exactly why he survives to the current date and provides an influence to those that celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. (Freeman 2005) Finally, after St. Patrick had lived years within poverty, traveled and endured much suffering, he had died on March 17, 461 AD, at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, which is where he had built the first church. (Catholic Online)
Mirror of Christ: Biblical Parallels As stated before, St. Patrick was enslaved and captivated. However, even though he was harmed by others he decided not to treat them the same way. Just as Jesus treated his betrayers with kindness and respect, St. Patrick did the same. He essentially wanted to truly live the holy life. Jesus had The Golden Rule “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (“Matthew 7:12”) This rule provides influence within St. Patrick’s life. He lived by this law to the fullest. For example, St. Patrick provided the way of life to Dichu, his captivator. This not only shows that Patrick was able to overcome his obstacle, but that he essentially is provided with God’s power to denounce evil. Rev. Sean Brady said "He was a man who came to face and help his former enemies who had enslaved him. He came back to help them and to do them a great favor -- the greatest favor he possibly could."
Also, Jesus came on this earth to provide salvation to God’s children. Even though we purposely sin, he still was sent here to be sacrificed in order to save us. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (“John 10: 10-11”) St. Patrick may not have purposely adopted this verse, but he did follow it. He helped bring about the Kingdom of God on earth. This shown within St. Patrick’s life. He helped many people convert and become saved. This involved him creating a major disciple following. The consequences of his action was creating a bigger following for God and Jesus. People are now becoming saved and provided with path to heaven.
Finally, Jesus said to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (“Matthew 5:16”) Overall, all of Patrick’s actions supported this verse. Jesus and Patrick essentially had parallelism. They were linear in action. God, in heaven, was glorified by the actions of St. Patrick. He never showed hatred and never aimed to get revenge. He just prayed, supported, and spread God out to everyone.
Reflection
This entire paper on St. Patrick has actually provided more knowledge and faith. I have learned much more from St. Patrick. Essentially, I realize that I have to devote more of myself to God and Jesus. If Patrick could give himself up and never betray God, then I should be able to. St. Patrick showed that what it means to be a Christian is to give your all to everyone. Christians don’t aim to support malevolence. Christians are supposed to be good and have a true heart. There has to be the ability for one to donate time and resources to others. I like the fact that St. Patrick was so faithful and worthy. He never gave up during times of stress and disadvantage. When he was captivated, he never lost touch with God. As a matter of fact, he was strengthened and had the urge to give back to God and become a priest. I actually find it difficult to understand how it felt for St. Patrick to spread God’s word to a great amount of people. I have never spread out God’s word, or Gospel, to a large group of people. At least, I have tried to spread his word, but St. Patrick had a much greater influence. Not only did it probably feel good to spread God, but to have people smiling and giving thanks to you for your influence. Overall, he challenges me to overcome obstacles and create God’s continuous kingdom. God depends on his children to spread his kingdom, but now my challenge is to provide more assistance. This involves large groups of people following, more faith, and decreased intolerance. I will have to adjust some things to solve the problems. Then, shall God’s kingdom continue to be progressed.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
Give me the ability to continuously have faith. Just as St. Patrick was so faithful and full of life, I beg of you to allow me to wake up every morning and spread your word. Those untrue beings shall now be changed of their evils. God, give me the ability to provide the use of my wisdom to help others. Your children should all be together, but Satan has spread us apart. Now, I ask for you to provide more influence and give me the devout faith to destroy bad touches. Thank you father for your help and being there for your children. Amen.