01:50 Catholic Channels
St Patrick was born in AD 387 just south of Hadrian’s Wall in
Britain, which was part of the Roman Empire (that’s right — he wasn’t Irish!).
He was captured by Irish pagans in his early teens and taken to Ireland, where
he was enslaved for six years. During that time, he grew to like the spirit of
the Irish. When he escaped and returned to his family, he vowed to one day
return to Ireland.
He
studied at monasteries on the continent and was eventually ordained a priest
and then a bishop. Pope Celestine I commissioned Patrick to be an apostle to
Ireland.
Patrick
initially encountered many hardships among the pagans, particularly the druids.
They weren’t willing to give up their power over the old religion and feared
Patrick and Christianity. Although the ruling monarch, King Laoghaire, didn’t
convert to Christianity, many of his family members did, and little by little,
the old religion began to fade. Patrick traveled from town to town, tearing
down idols and temples and establishing the Catholic Church. By AD 444, the primatial see and first cathedral of
Ireland were built in Armagh.
He
baptized, confirmed, and ordained priests, and he erected schools and monasteries.
Thousands came into the Church under his direction. He accomplished all these
activities in less than 30 years, during which time the whole island nation of
Ireland was converted. Toward the end of his life, he wrote Confessions, in which he gives a record
of his life and mission. He died on March 17, 461, of natural causes. He is
buried in Downpatrick in present-day Northern Ireland.
Many
stories are told in connection with St. Patrick. The three-leaf clover was said
to be used by the saintly bishop to explain the Trinity to the pagans, which is
why it is such a common St. Patrick’s Day symbol today. Another legend has
Patrick driving all the snakes out of Ireland; snakes were a popular symbol
among the Irish pagans. He is certainly one of the most revered saints in the
Catholic Church.
Today,
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, of many dioceses throughout the
English-speaking world, and of engineers. He is also invoked against the fear
of snakes and snakebites
By Rev.John Triqilio,Jr..Rev. Kenneth Brighenti
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