As we approach the feast day of St. Patrick, I would like to offer some small reflection on this beloved Saint.
First, some background on some of the commonly held beliefs about St. Patrick.
St. Patrick was not Irish.
There is no evidence of snakes ever being in Ireland.
There is no evidence in his writings thar he used a shamrock to explain the Trinity. That is not say he didn’t as it is a very common plant in Ireland, but is is not a great example of the Trinity as it can be separated and the Trinity cannot.
He is the Patron Saint of Ireland and also of Nigeria.
Patrick was born in the late fourth century, probably around 387AD and died around 460AD. He was most likely from England, but some scholars think he may have come from Brittany on the coast of France. At about the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by pirates and sold as a slave in Ireland.
At the time he was captured he had been brought up in the Catholic faith, his father being a deacon and a Roman official, but found it irrelevant. He, as would be expected, asked of God, “Why me?” Those questions changed to “Rescue me God.” Over a period of time he began to recall scripture and prayers and began praying and reflecting on the scriptures. You could say he entered into an easy friendship with God. In the silence and aloneness of his time herding domestic animals, he could hear God.
After about six years he heard God telling him it was time to leave. Returning to his homeland he began studying in earnest and after some time heard the call to return to Ireland as a missionary. He studied for the priesthood in France. Upon being ordained a Bishop he returned to Ireland, successfully bring most of the country to the Catholic Faith.
Ireland is credited with saving western civilization during the dark ages. Because it was Patrick who brought Ireland into the Church, it would be safe to say the he saved western civilization.
Patrick had a deep devotion to the holy Trinity, His total reliance on the Trinity is reflected in the prayer, “The Breastplate of St. Patrick”. Following are three of the seven verses;
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless power
That may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul,
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
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