Saint Patrick, for whom todays Catholic holiday is named, was not born Irish. His parents were Romano-British and deacons at the local church. At sixteen Patrick was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped his captives, snuck aboard a ship and made his way back to Britain. When he returned to Britain he studied to be a priest, after which he decided to return to Ireland to preach the gospel to what was then a polytheistic culture.
Saint Patrick was said to have used the shamrock to explain to the Irish people the doctrine of the Trinity. He spent thirty more years in Ireland and died on the 17th of March, 461. He is considered the principal missionary from Rome to the Irish and is celebrated as such on this day.
Today Saint Patricks day is celebrated around the world as a sort of tribute to the Irish and the culture of Ireland, a relatively small Island with a storied past and perhaps more storied characters within. It is, of course, widely known for its association with the drinking of beer. Saint Patricks day is the day in which the most alcohol is consumed by Americans. You can just see Saint Patrick now, can’t you, wandering into an American bar well after midnight, laying down on the floor next to a passed out college student, pointing at the paper shamrocks stapled to the ceiling, and explaining how much the Father loves the Son, and the Son loves the Father, and how the Holy Ghost is with us always, even on the floor of a pub.
My brother did some research on St. Patrick once and decided his story would make a brilliant movie. I hope he makes it some day. Nice picture, btw.
I live in a country where I don’t think anyone has really taken the time to investigate the origin of St Patrick’s Day, it is simply a day to get slaughtered. Thank you for the the background.
This is one of the best commentaries I have see on St. Patrick’s day. Thanks for posting it and I love the Pub scene…
I have always loved the story of how Patrick left a safe place to go to a place where he could be risking his life, in order to bring good news to people who were his enemies. It kinda reminds me of someone else who left a safe place full of perfect glory (John 17:5) in order to come rescue His people, while they were yet His enemies. Funny how God gives us things like this to paint a picture for us.
I learned more about St. Patrick’s Day in these 3 paragraphs than I have in my entire life!
[...] This is my favorite portion of St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer. To read this entire prayer, click here. I also really like Donald Miller’s St. Patrick’s Day reflection today. You can find it here. [...]
Well said, sir. Well said!
[...] with similar thoughts to what I was having….so I invite you to go on over to his blog….found here….and read it for [...]
Good job. Loved the post. I did one today on Patrick. Yours was better by far.
Wow, yeah. I love this. Studying abroad in Scotland right now….and love this perspective.
-Meredith
I was just thinking I should add St. Patrick pushed the boundaries of what it meant to be Christian and who can be Christian. There were missionaries beyond the borders of the Roman Empire before Patrick and even one Bishop seems to have went to Ireland before him. However Patrick choosing to go beyond the Roman Empire to people in need of Christ with the Gospel was a tripping point. Patrick became “famous” in his time and really changed radically how Christian thought about the world and who should be Christian. In a way he set the church on a path where missionaries actually go out to people in need of Christ. That would be a great meaning to get across to people on St. Patrick’s day.
As I wear my shamrock necklace today & St. Patrick’s Day’s before I think about who & what St. Patrick did. Thanks for sharing with many today!
Yes, I absolutely can see Patrick doing that. He was a regular Joe who wanted to reach people exactly where they were, not try to change them to fit any particular ideal, and without judgement. I think I first ready about him in “How the Irish Saved Civilization,” and totally fell head over heels for him. A wonderful person!
[...] Today is Saint Patty’s Day. It also happens to be Sue’s nephew’s birthday (my nephew-in-law). That would have to make someone Irish, wouldn’t it? We usually celebrate this holiday given Sue’s Irish heritage and just our overall affinity for all things Irish. I say “usually” meaning we celebrated last year. And though I didn’t wear green today I did eat two bowls of Lucky Charms. I wonder if that counts. For an interesting blog post on the actual St. Patrick visit Donald Miller’s Blog. [...]
Fascinating. Thank you.
Just learned last night the real story of St. Patrick.. and I love your telling of it. Would be a good idea to learn more about all the saints. Bet there are some great stories.
Here is a link to the story and confession of St. Patrick. “Behold, your ship is ready.. ” Love it.
http://www.whatsaiththescripture.com/Stories/St.Patrick.Confession.html
[...] Happy St. Patrick’s Day [...]
I Love that you pictured him on the floor explaining the trinity to a drunk guy. I love that.
Fantastic. I’m a huge fan of this holiday (mainly because it’s my birthday)… The more I learn about Patrick the more I want to learn about him.
[...] Read: Happy St. Patricks Day | Donald Miller’s Blog. [...]
Hi, Many Irish people are very proud of St Patrick, despite the fact much of what we read is made up, his writings, however are amazing! The writing’s were originally written in a style druidic, a way to protect Patrick as he journeyed on his way!!
Suppose we all on a Journey and need protection. ” I arise today..”
WOW. I read this and couldn’t keep the tears from welling up in my eyes.
[...] Don Milleris Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: ancient monuments, Belinda McKeon, Bryan MacMahon, Burren, [...]