Unfortunately, what most people know about Saint Patrick is St. Paddy’s Day and green beer but the story is one of rich heritage to both the Western World and Christians all over the world. Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, has his holy day on March 17th, his death day. Holy days have been bastardized turned into holidays and, for the most part, have lost all religious significance and been regulated to the lowest common denominator. Patrick was actually born in Scotland, at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, others say a place called Banna Venta Berniae, but location unknown now, in the year 387.
Calpournius, a deacon, and Conchessa, his parents, were Romans living in Britain and, around age 14, Patrick was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave. There, he tended and herded sheep amongst the Druids and pagans while learning their language and ways but 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.”
He escaped slavery when twenty and had a dream from God in which he was told he would leave Ireland by coast. He made his way some two hundred miles to the coast where some sailors took him back to Britain and reunion with his family. Another dream showed him the people of Ireland calling to him and wrote: “I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of them. I read the heading: “The Voice of the Irish”. As I began the letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice of those very people who were near the wood of Foclut, which is beside the western sea–and they cried out, as with one voice: “We beg you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us.” “
After finishing his priesthood studies, he was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, also one of his masters while studying for the priesthood. After being ordained as a bishop, he was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland and arrived in Slane March 25, 433. By preaching the Gospel, he converted many to Christianity, for a period of forty years. He died March 17, 460 at Saul where he built the first church or is buried at Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, County Down but nothing can be proven.
Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and today it’s the national symbol of both Ireland and Saint Patrick’s Day. He is recognized as a man who took a vow of poverty, also a humble and pious man who, like David, was a man after God’s own heart.
Saint Patrick is an enormously interesting man of God; more information may be found here and bears further reading but do realize a lot is conjecture. Let’s face it, it’s been a few years and the story becomes muddled in the telling and re-telling. smile
P. S. for some odd reason, some of my comments aren’t being accepted on your blogs. It’s only some blogs, the ones with the comment that says, “comment as…..”. I’ve tried commenting as Google account and Open I.D. but no success. I am sorry; just wanted you to know I have been by to visit!
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ~ Albert Einstein ~
Today’s Miracles ~ men and women after God’s own heart ~ we’re one day closer to spring ~ shamrocks ~ saint’s days ~ Celtic crosses ~
dori says
Thank you for these valuable informations about St. Patick, Thistle! My son will go to Ireland next Monday for some days. He was there in 2009 and brought to me a photo with beautiful glass-window-art with a colored glass-view of St. Patick – from an old church there. Now I learn more about St. Patick, because of your Blog-Post.
Sandra Bennett says
Yvonne, wish I'd known about that program, would love to have seen it.
Amber, absolutely! Christianity is built upon the lives of the Saints; we should know their lives and deaths.
Nancy, after so many hundreds of years, we're fortunate to know anything.
Nancy Claeys says
Love learning more about St. Patrick. So much of what we think we know is folklore.
Wishing you a blessed week, Sandra. xo
Amber says
I spent some time on Sunday explaining the true, intended purpose of St. Patrick's day to my kiddos. I think it's important that they know why the holiday originally started.
La Petite Gallery says
loved the Post. I watched a show Sat. on PBS all about Ireland.
be well, thanks for the comment yvonne
Sandra Bennett says
Robyn, thank you for visiting and I didn't have green beer this year but I did enjoy church service and the luncheon that followed -grin-.
Mags, to live in that green land.
Gail, you're welcome, it was an enjoyable post.
Dewena, glad I could help but, truly, I don't peek at your mail!
Karen, good points all, thanks!
Debbie, I'm not Catholic but am Irish but we never celebrated Saint Patrick's Day. Loved your story!
Sparky, thanks for the book tip; I do know Christianity began as a catholic religion…meaning it was/is all inclusive. At some point, it became Catholic and a denomination all in its own.
Vicki, desperate for spring…that about says it all -grin-. It's cold, windy, rainy and turning to slushy ice…waaaaaaa! There's a fire in the woodstove and that makes it toasty inside.
Annie, so happy to see you and see your blog is working…yay!!!
annie says
this was such an interesting post! thank you for the reminders and your time in sharing!
annie says
this was such an interesting post! thank you for the reminders and your time in sharing!
Vicki Boster says
Sandra- I had no idea about the history of Saint Patrick– it's an incredible story. Thanks so much for that great piece if history–
I hope you are well- I know you are busy on the farm. I'm so desperate for spring–
Love
Vicki
Sparky Hudson says
I do know that all the Catholic days have been changed throughout history but that is interesting about Patrick. Never knew that about the lad. Another good read is "Babylon The Great" about the Roman Catholic Church. It's a real eye opener.
Hope your day has been a happy one!
Luv ~:)
Debby@Just Breathe says
Thank you for sharing. I found this very interesting. I can say I knew nothing about him at all. I was not raised Catholic and we are not Irish so we never really celebrated the day. I did however have green beer at some point and also ditched school with some friends and took the train to Chicago to see them turn the river green!
Karen says
Thank you for a wonderful description of St. Patrick and the origin of the holiday. I agree with you that so many holy days have been bastardized or commercialized. I don't think that's always a bad thing if it brings people together in unity to celebrate and be good to each other, regardless of their beliefs or observance of the Saint.
Dewena Callis says
I didn't know much of this, either. He was a prayer warrior for sure. I'm so glad to know more about him.
And, yes, I took the discipline verses and quotes to bed to read last night and will keep them handy. Very good, Sandra. You say you preach to yourself in these Sabbath Keepings but I think you read my mail too!
Wish I could help you figure out what's wrong with the comments but it would be the blind leading the blind. Now Nana Diana Takes a Break is who has helped me figure out many things.
Gail Dixon (Louisiana Belle) says
Fascinating about St. Patrick. I had no idea. Thanks for sharing!
magsmcc says
I bind unto myself today….
RobynFromSimplyme says
This was a wonderful post about St Patrick! Thank you for posting it. You're so right most people no nothing besides green beer..This was an awesome post.. Hope you are well today!
Much Love
Robyn