St. Patrick Was Beloved by Many — But Not by His Bishops

National Catholic Register ^ | March 17, 2004 | Patti Maguire Armstrong

[ebb tide]

St. Patrick Was Beloved by Many — But Not by His Bishops

In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day has traditionally been a religious occasion beginning with Mass. Shops and businesses (excepting restaurants and pubs) were all shut down on that day.  During the 1990s however, the Irish government began to take advantage of the opportunity to bring in tourism. Cities and towns throughout Ireland now host parades, sporting events, parades, concerts, fireworks and theater productions on St. Patrick’s Day.

Even those without a drop of Irish blood can celebrate St. Patrick with gusto. After all, he was not Irish either. He was born in 387 in Britain, which was beginning to transition from Roman control at the time.

Kidnapped!

In the fifth century, living on the edge of the Roman empire was dangerous. It was collapsing, and barbarians roamed about. Patrick was kidnapped by Irish raiders at the age of 16 and enslaved in Ireland. 

What is known about his life comes from his two short works: his Letter to Coroticus, a denunciation of British mistreatment of Irish Christians, and his Confession, which he wrote so that others would “understand that to which I have committed my soul.”

Patrick believed God had allowed his six years of slavery as a shepherd to shake him out of his “complacency and out of a way of life where God didn’t matter for me.” Daily depravation led him to deep reflection. He wrote:

There, the Lord opened up my understanding to my unbelief so that however late, I might become conscious of my failings and then remembering my need, I might turn with all my heart to the Lord my God. For it was he who looked after me before I knew him. Indeed, as a father consoles his son, so he protected me.

[Trump_Triumphant]

Say what?

[vespa300]

There’s this really neat thing called Google. Try St. Patrick and Sabbath. Thanks!