Recently many celebrated “St. Patrick’s Day”, as a day when those of Irish descent remember a person who was very important to the history of that country. I am not of Irish descent, but I was curious about the story of this man.
He was actually born in England, (around 386 AD, although this is not definite) and given the name Maewyn Succat. At the age of 16, Irish raiders captured him and kidnapped him away from his parents’ home, and enslaved him in Ireland. He wrote in his autobiography (Confessio*) that he never had personally trusted in Christ, although he had been raised in a Christian home. It was during this time of enslavement where he had to tend flocks of sheep, that this faith became his own. After 6 years he escaped, and eventually returned home to England. There he studied to become a priest, and according to legend, that is when he changed his name to “Patricius, or Patrick” which derives from the Latin term for ‘father figure’ https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1972553_1972551_1972451,00.html
He felt called to return to Ireland to share his faith, and sought to lead even those who had enslaved him, to Christianity. It is said that he was very influential in bringing Christianity to parts of this island, as well as to the Picts and Anglo-Saxons (tribes from Scotland, and northern Germany and Scandinavia).
Some other significant information about this famous person:
· Patrick is known to have incorporated preexisting Irish beliefs and symbols into his teachings about Christianity.
· Shamrocks are associated with Patrick because he may have used shamrocks to explain the Christian Trinity.
· Patrick may have brought the Latin alphabet to Ireland. https://www.britannica.com/facts/Saint-Patrick
* More can be learned of his autobiography at this link. https://www.faithandworship.com/Confession_of_Saint_Patrick.htm#gsc.tab=0
Patrick is said to have died on March 17, 461 AD; which is why the holiday is on March 17. So often these stories of important people of the faith become forgotten. Usually St. Patrick’s Day celebrations don’t emphasize this story of sacrifice and suffering for sake of the Gospel, but become a legend about leprechauns, and other secular myths. It’s good to learn the actual story behind people who have been used by God to spread the Gospel.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
Dear Lord, Help us to be a faithful witness for You, in the life You have given each of us to live. Help us to look to You, as the ‘founder and perfecter of our faith’, and to never forget the ‘joy that is set before’ each of us who have accepted You as our Savior Redeemer! In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
