From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
17 March =E2=80=93 St Patrick
also known as Maewyn Succat
and Patricius, Patrizio
(c. 386 =E2=80=93 461)
Priest, Bishop, Missionary, =E2=80=9CApostle of Ireland=E2=80=9D
Patron against fear of snakes or ophidiophobia; ophidiophobics,
against snake bites, against snakes, of barbers, hairdressers, barrel
makers; coopers, blacksmiths, cattle, engineers, excluded people,
miners, Ireland, Nigeria (1961), Loiza, Puerto Rico, 29 dioceses
Although we think of Ireland when we talk about St. Patrick, he wasn=E2=80= =99t
actually born in Ireland. He was born probably in Scotland. His father
was a deacon and his grandfather had been a priest. But Patrick didn=E2=80= =99t
think too much about God. We don't really know why this was. He
probably thought he didn't need God. He probably thought other thin=
gs
could bring him as much happiness as God could. God just wasn't on
Patrick's mind as he roamed the fields of his homeland, tending
animals and learning how to be a man.
But his happy, carefree life ended one day when crowds of strangers
appeared on the horizon. They looked dangerous and frightening and
they were. They were pirates and thieves, on their way to capture
slaves to take back to Ireland. Patrick was one of those hundreds of
captives. He was snatched from his family and his home. He was taken
from all of his future hopes and dreams. Patrick was thrown on a ship,
bound in chains and taken over the sea to Ireland. He was sixteen
years old. For six years, Patrick was a slave in Ireland. He was put
to work watching sheep and cattle. Patrick had just enough food to
live on and when he wasn't working, he tried to rest in tiny huts t=
hat
were damp and cold.
But something strange and wonderful happened in Ireland. All alone,
frightened for his life and among people who worshiped trees and
stones, Patrick opened his heart to God.
That happens to a lot of us, doesn't it? When everything's =
going
great, we don't have any time for God. But then something awful and
painful happens and there we are, back at God's feet.
During those years, Patrick started to pray. He thought about God all
the time and it gave him peace of mind. He knew that no matter how
much he was suffering, God loved him.
Eventually, Patrick escaped from slavery and traveled to France, which
in those days was called Gaul. We're not sure exactly how much time
Patrick spent in Gaul. But it was enough time for him to draw closer
to God as he prayed and studied in a monastery. One night, deep in a
dreamy vision, Patrick heard voices. He heard many voices, joined
together, pleading with him. =E2=80=9CCome back,=E2=80=9D the voices cried,=
=E2=80=9Ccome back
and walk once more among us.=E2=80=9D Patrick knew it was the Irish people calling him.
Strengthened by the courage that only God can give, Patrick went back.
He returned to the very people who had stolen him from his family,
worked him mercilessly as a slave and knew little, if anything, about
the love of the true God.
Before he left Gaul, Patrick was made the bishop of Ireland. He then
traveled across the sea to teach Ireland about Jesus Christ. It wasn=E2=80= =99t
easy. The people of Ireland practiced pagan religions. They worshiped nature,and they practiced magic. They feared the spirits they believed
lived in the woods. The Irish people believed they could bring evil
spirits down on those they wanted to harm.
Patrick had a big job ahead of him. He had to show a country full of
students that there was no point in worshiping nature. Trees can't
forgive your sins or teach you how to love. The sun, as powerful as it
is, could not have created the world. Patrick explained things using
simple examples that people could easily understand. For example, he
used the three-leaf clover to show people how there could be three
persons in one God. Patrick preached to huge crowds and small
villages. He preached to kings and princes. He preached in the open
air and he preached in huts. Patrick never stopped preaching and he
never stopped teaching. He couldn't stop=E2=80=94the whole country =
of Ireland
was his classroom and he couldn't afford to miss even one student!
Soon, Patrick had help. Men became priests and monks. Women became
nuns. Wherever they lived, those monks and nuns settled in monasteries
and set up schools. More students were being reached every day.
But, of course, the greatest help Patrick had was from God.
When he was young, Patrick had forgotten God but that would never
happen again. He knew that God supported him in every step he took.
God gave Patrick the courage to speak, even when Patrick was in danger
of being hurt by pagan priests who didn't want to lose their power
over the people.
https://anastpaul.com/2017/03/17/
Reflection. By the instrumentality of Saint Patrick the Faith remained
for long centuries as fresh in Ireland as when it was first planted.
Ask him to obtain for you the special grace his children receive: to
prefer the loss of every earthly good to the least compromise in
matters of faith.
Saint Quote:
"Whatever will come my way, whether good or bad, I may accept it
calmly, and always give thanks to God, who has ever shown me how I
should believe in him unfailing without end."
--St. Patrick of Ireland
Bible Quote:
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from yo=
u
.. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you
sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.=C2 [James 4:7-10=
=C2 ]
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St. Patrick's Prayer
This day I call to me:
God's strength to direct me,
God's power to sustain me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's vision to light me,
God's ear to my hearing,
God's word to my speaking,
God's hand to uphold me,
God's pathway before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's legions to save me.
from A Retreat With St. Patrick
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