Mar
17
2015
By Anonymous (not verified)
Saint Patrick (387-ca. 483), whose feast we celebrate on March 17, was a great missionary and a great warrior for Christ, facing down the world, the flesh, and the devil in Ireland through the power of prayer and trust in God.
Born into a Catholic home in Scotland, he nevertheless had not lived the faith, according to his own account in his Confessions. Patrick was kidnapped as a youth and taken to Ireland where he was enslaved by a druid. He converted to Christ in captivity and spent most of his time in prayer. Following God's prompting, Patrick made his escape after six years. After gaining his freedom, he studied under St. Germain, was ordained a priest and eventually a bishop, and served as a missionary for some time before returning to Ireland because of a dream. He walked up and down the length and breadth of Ireland, converting kings, confronting druids, and founding monasteries. His legacy resonates down through the ages - if the Irish saved Western civilization, they did it because St. Patrick had first come to save their souls.
Because of one man's conversion and fidelity to Jesus, the seeds of Christianity were sown and cultivated in a pagan land. Because of one man's love for Christ and willingness to share him with the very people who had once enslaved him, the whole world has reaped the tremendous legacy of Irish missionaries, scattering across the world for the proclamation of the Gospel. Because of Patrick, many nations have been blessed.
Let us ask St. Patrick's intercession for the new evangelization, that the faith may be restored in the West and shine ever more brightly in our hearts and lives. Let us ask for his prayers, that the new paganism may be turned back and the Holy Spirit may come to transform all our lives and hearts.
Born into a Catholic home in Scotland, he nevertheless had not lived the faith, according to his own account in his Confessions. Patrick was kidnapped as a youth and taken to Ireland where he was enslaved by a druid. He converted to Christ in captivity and spent most of his time in prayer. Following God's prompting, Patrick made his escape after six years. After gaining his freedom, he studied under St. Germain, was ordained a priest and eventually a bishop, and served as a missionary for some time before returning to Ireland because of a dream. He walked up and down the length and breadth of Ireland, converting kings, confronting druids, and founding monasteries. His legacy resonates down through the ages - if the Irish saved Western civilization, they did it because St. Patrick had first come to save their souls.
Because of one man's conversion and fidelity to Jesus, the seeds of Christianity were sown and cultivated in a pagan land. Because of one man's love for Christ and willingness to share him with the very people who had once enslaved him, the whole world has reaped the tremendous legacy of Irish missionaries, scattering across the world for the proclamation of the Gospel. Because of Patrick, many nations have been blessed.
Let us ask St. Patrick's intercession for the new evangelization, that the faith may be restored in the West and shine ever more brightly in our hearts and lives. Let us ask for his prayers, that the new paganism may be turned back and the Holy Spirit may come to transform all our lives and hearts.
SRKR
