Saint Patrick Realistic wood Sculpture; Saint Patrick Bishop
March 17 - Optional Memory
Britannia (England), c. 385 - Down (Ulster), 461
""""When I came to Ireland, I took the cattle out to pasture every day, and prayed often in the day; it was then that the love and fear of God invaded my heart more and more, my faith grew, and my spirit was led to make about a hundred prayers a day and almost as many at night, for then my spirit was full of ardor."""" Patrick was born around 385 in Britain to a Christian family. Around the age of 16 he was kidnapped and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he remained a prisoner for 6 years, during which time he deepened his life of faith according to the passage from the Confession that we read at the beginning. Having escaped from slavery, he returns to his homeland. He spends some time with his parents, then prepares to become a deacon and priest. During these years he probably reaches the continent and has monastic experiences in France. He is now 40 years old and perhaps feels the longing to return to the green island. Here there is a need for evangelizers and someone makes his name as missionary bishop. He prepares himself, but his family is reluctant to let him leave, while his opponents accuse him of a lack of preparation. In 432, however, he was back on the island. Accompanied by an escort, he preached, baptized, confirmed, celebrated the Eucharist, ordained priests, consecrated monks and virgins. The missionary success was great, but there was no lack of assaults by enemies and marauders, nor the malignity of Christians. Patrick then wrote the Confession to refute the accusations and celebrate the love of God that protected and guided him in his dangerous journeys. He dies around 461. He is the patron saint of Ireland and of the Irish throughout the world.
Patronage: Ireland
Etymology: Patrician = of noble descent, from Latin.
Emblem: Pastoral staff, Clover
Roman Martyrology: Saint Patrick, bishop: as a young man he was taken prisoner from Britannia to Ireland; when he regained his freedom, he wanted to enter the clergy; he returned to the same island and was elected bishop, he proclaimed the Gospel to the people with commitment and directed his Church with rigor, until he fell asleep in the Lord near the city of Down in Ireland.
March 17 - Optional Memory
Britannia (England), c. 385 - Down (Ulster), 461
""""When I came to Ireland, I took the cattle out to pasture every day, and prayed often in the day; it was then that the love and fear of God invaded my heart more and more, my faith grew, and my spirit was led to make about a hundred prayers a day and almost as many at night, for then my spirit was full of ardor."""" Patrick was born around 385 in Britain to a Christian family. Around the age of 16 he was kidnapped and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he remained a prisoner for 6 years, during which time he deepened his life of faith according to the passage from the Confession that we read at the beginning. Having escaped from slavery, he returns to his homeland. He spends some time with his parents, then prepares to become a deacon and priest. During these years he probably reaches the continent and has monastic experiences in France. He is now 40 years old and perhaps feels the longing to return to the green island. Here there is a need for evangelizers and someone makes his name as missionary bishop. He prepares himself, but his family is reluctant to let him leave, while his opponents accuse him of a lack of preparation. In 432, however, he was back on the island. Accompanied by an escort, he preached, baptized, confirmed, celebrated the Eucharist, ordained priests, consecrated monks and virgins. The missionary success was great, but there was no lack of assaults by enemies and marauders, nor the malignity of Christians. Patrick then wrote the Confession to refute the accusations and celebrate the love of God that protected and guided him in his dangerous journeys. He dies around 461. He is the patron saint of Ireland and of the Irish throughout the world.
Patronage: Ireland
Etymology: Patrician = of noble descent, from Latin.
Emblem: Pastoral staff, Clover
Roman Martyrology: Saint Patrick, bishop: as a young man he was taken prisoner from Britannia to Ireland; when he regained his freedom, he wanted to enter the clergy; he returned to the same island and was elected bishop, he proclaimed the Gospel to the people with commitment and directed his Church with rigor, until he fell asleep in the Lord near the city of Down in Ireland.
