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St. Patrick

St. Patrick

St. Patrick

Feastday: March 17
Patron of Ireland
387 - 461

St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints.

Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461.

Along with St. Nicholas and St. Valentine, the secular world shares our love of these saints. This is also a day when everyone's Irish.

There are many legends and stories of St. Patrick, but this is his story.

Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies.

As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.

During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote

"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."

Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britian, where he reunited with his family.

He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more."

He began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years.

Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick.

Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message.

Patrick by now had many disciples, among them Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac, (all later canonized as well).

Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.

He died at Saul, where he had built the first church.

Why a shamrock?

Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and has been associated with him and the Irish since that time.

In His Footsteps:

Patrick was a humble, pious, gentle man, whose love and total devotion to and trust in God should be a shining example to each of us. He feared nothing, not even death, so complete was his trust in God, and of the importance of his mission.

 
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from Wikipedia

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1 - 20 of 336 Comments

  1. A
    4 weeks ago

    how could i cite this for a footnote. all of this information was a great foundation for me to start my research on St. Patrick

  2. Mr Casey
    2 months ago

    Ah it's that time of the year again when we salute Patrick. Ireland was a complete mess before he arrived. Equality for women. We can't have that now. No way. Women should know their place. And wasn't his own grandfather a priest too. It was a different time in the church when a priest could have children. All I can say is that Ireland would have been a terrible place if Patrick hadn't have fulfilled his papal mission. Luckily he put sense into the heads of all those Pelagianists in England before he came to Ireland with Germain. Think of all the children of Ireland who would have been abused under a different system had Patrick not have come. I think Ireland would be much better without papal taxation. If I could go back in time I would ensure that that slave didn't make his escape.

  3. chet bas
    2 months ago

    happy feast day St. Patrick. thank you for our visit to ireland and may we visit you and Little Nellie of Holy God again. thank you

  4. Raj Ambrose
    2 months ago

    Dear Saint,

    We implore thee to instill in the religious the faith that you once possessed. The modern militant secularism is trying hard to destroy the faith that you once bravely preached in Ireland. The Christian leaders who have vowed to preach the gospel, are being deluded by the vanities of the world resulting in sex and financial scandals. As the Holy Father has taken up the cross of purifying the Church of such scandals and to imbue the religious and laity with the spirit of Christ, He needs the prayer and assistance of you in fulfilling his duties. Kindly provide him with loyal soldiers in the Vatican and Roman Curiae so that He marches ahead in confidence and strength in carrying out the responsibilities of Peter. Amen.

  5. JAMBS
    2 months ago

    Conchessa=Contessa or rather taken as a sex slave
    Callpurnius was black, probably a Roman slave
    Ireland: If Patrick did anything today, it was to awaken the world that you traded slaves back then and still do it to this day and they are still black. Buying the world with laundered money is not okay. Raids to steal is theft and running slaves is as low as a country can go. To Ireland, I imprison your Island forever more as I have tossed you out of Lyra in heaven. To Hades you all go.

  6. Mona
    2 months ago

    Please pray for Jacob that he finds peace and the right path, for Michelle and Gwen that the doctors can help them and for all cancer patients. Dear Lord, thank you for making me cancer free.

  7. Joseph Mathew
    2 months ago

    St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, please pray for us, who are inspired by your fervent devoution to Jesus Christ, here in India.

  8. christopher
    2 months ago

    St.Patrick no words i put here can tell what i want 2 say
    I ask for your blessing please bless my friends and family
    I ask you bless me
    I have great faith
    Amen

  9. general unknown something usmc usnf ****
    2 months ago

    17th/18th march 2013:st patrick pray for us companion friends.

  10. NemoMeImpuneLacessit
    2 months ago

    Saint Patrick was a Pict, (Dalriada, of which there are two) Descendant of the High Kings of Ireland where the Picts originally landed with their Holy Books and Jacob's pillow. God Bless his Saintly soul :)

  11. buck billbert
    2 months ago

    i think wish wesite is the verry good and i like the jesus man calld pat i think i need to get a new smeem so the popes perfume will do goood i need to find out hoe to by it

  12. Honeybadger
    3 months ago

    RAWRRRR I'M THE HONEYBADGER SAINT PETER I EAT LARVA AND IM A BAD ARSE SAINT PETER

  13. amani patrick
    5 months ago

    st Patrick pray for those who forget home

  14. bob
    6 months ago

    cool

  15. cole
    6 months ago

    cool

  16. Keenan
    6 months ago

    Dear Saint Patrick, please pray for my grandparents, may they have a wonderful life in heavan.

  17. harleyg
    9 months ago

    I am doing a project on St Patrick YOUR AMAZING

  18. mary patricia
    11 months ago

    St, Patrick - i pray that you will intercede to Jesus on my behalf for my son Stephen. In his younger days he was a faithful servant to God in our faith, and my prayer now is to guard his body, soul, mind and spirit. I pray for all of God's abundant blessings for him, and that he learns again to thank God and acknowledge that God is responsible for all that is good in his life. St. Patrick, pray for us.

  19. obama
    1 year ago

    I LOVE YOU ST PATRICK

  20. reis fuglsang
    1 year ago

    hay st patricks is a cool cat


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