As you might have guessed, St. Patrick is known as the patron saint of Ireland. True, he was not a born Irish. But he has become an integral part of the Irish heritage, mostly through his service across Ireland in the 5th century.
Patrick was born in the later half of the 4th century AD. However, there are differing views about the exact year and place of his birth. According to one school of opinion, he was born about 390 AD; while another view says it was about 373 AD. Again, his birth place is said to be in either Scotland or Roman England. By the way, his real name was probably Maewyn Succat. Though Patricius was his Romanticized name, he later came to be referred to as Patrick.
Patrick was the son of Calpurnius, a Roman-British army officer. He was growing up, just as other kids in Britain did. However, one day a band of pirates landed in south Wales and kidnapped him along with many others. Then they sold him into slavery in Ireland. He was there for 6 years, mostly imprisoned. This was when changes came to him. He dreamed of having seen God. According to legend he was then dictated by God to escape with a getaway ship.
He did escape and went to Britain. And then to France. There he joined a monastery and studied under St. Germain, the bishop of Auxerre. He spent around 12 years in training. And when he became a bishop he dreamed that the Irish were calling him back to Ireland to tell them about God. The Confession, Patrick’s spiritual autobiography, is the most important document regarding this. It tells of a dream after his return to Britain, in which one Victorius delivered him a letter, headed “The Voice of the Irish.”
So he set out for Ireland with the Pope’s blessings. There he converted the Gaelic Irish, who were then mostly Pagans, to Christianity. He was confident in the Lord, he journeyed far and wide, baptizing and confirming with untiring zeal. And, in a diplomatic fashion he brought gifts to a kinglet here and a lawgiver there, but accepted none from any.
Indeed, Patrick was quite successful at winning converts. Through active preaching, he made important converts even among the royal families. This upset the Celtic Druids. As a result, Patrick was arrested several times, but managed to escape on each occasion.
For 20 years he traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which aided him in his conversion efforts. He also developed a native clergy, fostered the growth of monasticism, established dioceses, and held church councils.
Patrick’s doctrine is considered orthodox and has been interpreted as anti-Pelagian. Although he is not particularly noted as a man of learning, a few of his writings remain extant: his Confession, a reply to his detractors, and several letters.
By the end of the 7th century Patrick had become a legendary figure, and the legends have continued to grow since then. For example, it is said the he used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the concept of the Trinity; which refers to the combination of Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Hence its strong association with his day and name. Legend also has it that Saint Patrick put the curse of God on venomous snakes in Ireland and subsequently drove them into the sea where they drowned.
After some 1500 years, these legends have been inseparably combined with the facts. And together they have helped us know much about the Saint and the spirit behind the celebration of the day.
Patrick died on March 17, AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick’s Day ever since. The day’s spirit is to celebrate the universal baptization of Ireland. Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into more of a secular event. Or, rather, ‘be and Irish Day’. And the Irish have borne it as part of their national tradition.
(information taken from www.theolidayspot.com)
Saturday, July 5, 2025