|
Posted on 03/17/2009 3:47:20 AM PDT by Scanian
A friend sent me a flyer his employer had sent employees. Included in it was a description of "St. Patrick's Day" intended for a diverse and, apparently an under-10, audience. "He is the patron saint of Ireland -- he became a priest and taught the Irish about God -- we parade and dance and sing -- we decorate with shamrocks and green -- there's a legend about snakes."
What could be written for non-Catholic or non-Irish audiences about reasons they might respect him as more than an Easter bunny? Here's my attempt:
The Saint Patrick honored on March 17 was an early (5th century) defender of human rights.
He grew up in Roman Christian Britain. When he was a teenager, he was kidnapped by the pagan Irish and enslaved. (Think of the Japanese young people who were kidnapped by the North Koreans. Think of the FARC kidnappings.) He was a shepherd -- isolated from other human beings, living alone without any schooling or conversation. After six years of this life, he walked two hundred miles and escaped across the sea to freedom.
What did he do with his freedom? He left home again -- this time to study to become a priest.
And what did he do with his priesthood? He had a dream not unlike the Apostle Paul's about a man from Macedonia (Acts 16:9); the Irish were pleading for him to return. Based only on a call for help seen in a dream, he courageously went by himself, without the protection of a chieftain, to the land whose people saw him as a fugitive slave.
Patrick did not speak the Irish language. He preached in Latin. (Fortunately, he found an interpreter.) Furthermore, Patrick had a very limited knowledge of these people -
(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...
Ping
Thanks for posting this informative article about St. Patrick. I knew nothing of his history beyond the usual myths, so it's much appreciated.
Leni
My pleasure! This Swede has always had a great time on St. Paddy’s.
A fork-tender corned beef tonight, biscuits and a yummy lime jello recipe to go into my shamrock mold.
I don't like to wear green, so I'll be hard-pressed to find something appropriate to the day. I guess my orange-toned tops wouldn't fit the bill now, would they.....hmmm.
Leni
|
I have a bit of the Irish in me even as there was some dispute as to whether my mother's ancestors went through Scotland or Ireland. But on this day I claim the bit of the Irish!
I do tend to have red streaks in my hair brought out by the summer sun and the poor hubby sure puts up with a bad tempered wife !!!! :)
Good enough for me to claim the Irish!
Happy, Happy St. Patty's Day to all! (Oh and btw, my first name is Patty so technically I claim this day as my own!)
Happy St Patrick's day
You don’t get a St. .in front of your name for being a snake charmer. I’m glad however this Saints day brings out the joy and laughter it does. We really need it now. The pub crawls and music help too. Everyone can be a bit Irish today. Enjoy and be safe.
“he became a priest”
Where did they get that mularky?
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.
HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY-—REMARKABLE MAN BLESSED BY THE LORD.
Thank you!
St. Patrick left two statements in writing, the "Declaration" (L. "Confessio") and the "Letter to Coroticus" (L. "Epistola ad Coroticum"), the authenticity of which is not folkloric but historic, and supported by scholars.
In the Declaration, Patrick writes that he baptized "thousands of people" and ordained priests, without ever accepting any payment. The fact that he ordained priests indicates that he himself was both priest and bishop.
The second piece of evidence comes from Patrick's Epistle to Coroticus, an open letter announcing that he has excommunicated certain Brythonic warriors of Coroticus who along with Picts and Scots, carried out a raid in Ireland, taking some of Patrick's converts into slavery. (It was the sending of this letter which provoked the trial which Patrick mentions in the Confession: he incurred the wrath the powerful by excommunicating the prominent chieftain and his soldiers.)
In excommunicating Coroticus, Patrick was exercising his authority as a bishop.
This is all Roman Catholic interpretation.
And here I was thinking St. Patrick was a Methodist.
{^_^}
When he returned to Britain, the bishops were embarrassed by his success and jealous of it. Without enthusiasm, they consecrated him.
Thank you for sharing.
Well- Saints are all Catholic aren’t they?
You are brainwashed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.