What do you think of when you think of St Patrick’s day? Shamrocks? Green beer? Christianity?
Saint Patrick was “The Apostle of Ireland,” but he was NOT Irish!
His original birth name was Maewyn Succat and he grew up in Roman Britain. At the age of 16 he was captured by Irish pirates. He was then transported to Ireland where he was sold as a slave, and forced to care for sheep for the next 6 years.
It was sometime during this 6 year period that Saint Patrick became a Christian. His father had been a Christian and a deacon in the church, but Patrick, as a youth, had not been interested. While tending sheep as a slave, however, he was often hungry. Turning to God, he prayed often and toward the end of his 6th year had a dream where he was told a ship was waiting for him. He walked to the east coast of Ireland, about 200 miles away, and found a ship bound for Britain and convinced the captain to take him aboard. That is how, after 6 years, he was finally able to escape.
After landing in Britain, he and some others had been wandering in wilderness for close to a month. Without food they were essentially starving. St Patrick prayed for food and soon came upon a wild boar. Saved from death and able to continue his trek, St Patrick was able, eventually, to reach his home and family.
Once he was back home, he studied and became a cleric. Then another vision directed him back to Ireland.
Once back in Ireland, St Patrick began to preach. Not welcomed on the mainland, he started on surrounding islands. During this time St Patrick wrote“Every day there is the chance that I will be killed, or surrounded, or taken into slavery.” People began to be converted to Christ and with time St Patrick was able to come to the mainland. It is felt his congregation was about 100,000 people eventually. He baptized 1000s and helped to form over 300 churches.
It is believed that Saint Patrick lived during the 5th century and that he died on March 17, 461. Now, centuries later, we celebrate the date of his death. So, to everyone of any descent, Irish or not, I wish you a very happy St Patrick’s Day!
Don’t forget to wear green!
