Patrick of Ireland

St. Patrick:
(also posted here)

Patrick wasn't born in Ireland. As a matter of fact, his first encounter with the Irish was being taken by a war-party.

The war-party had been out raiding along the coast of the English isle, and brought Patrick back to Ireland as a slave. The next six years of his life were spent as a slave, herding his mster's flocks.

During that time, Patrick became very fervent in his prayers and pursuit of the religion of his youth. Those beliefs served as a solace while he lived as a stranger enslaved in a foreign culture.

After an escape, Patrick returned home to fervently study Christianity--the faith of his youth, and solace of his captivity. Eventually, a series of dreams drew him back to Ireland as a missionary.

Patrick went to Ireland, and set about to preach Christ wherever he could. Though not the first missionary to attempt this, he was the most successful. Perhaps his years of imprisonment on the island gave him a better understanding of the people. Perhaps his mastery of the Gaelic tongue was better than previous missionaries.

Patrick's mission turned Ireland upside-down. The Emerald Isle became home to a vibrant community of believers.

There are even historians who claim that these Irish believers helped sow the seeds for the growth of a new civilization in northestern Europe, after the decay and death of Roman civilization in that part of the world. Apparently Irish monks played a significant role in seeding northwestern Europe with monasteries. Those monasteries became centers of learning and culture. Cities grew up around the monasteries.

Without a doubt, Patrick left a lasting legacy in his adopted land. The most visible part of that legacy is the way in which the people of Ireland celebrate his feast-day every year. It is celebration of all things Irish, especially the legends that grew up around St. Patrick and his life's work.

This year, as I celebrate St. Patrick's Day, I'll remember the young man who didn't know he was leaving a mark on history. All he knew was that he had once been a captive in Ireland, and that in his dreams the people of Ireland were calling him to return and teach them his faith.

Patrick did leave behind an autobiographical work entitled Confessions, which tells most of the story that I tell above. The Catholic Encyclopedia also has a good summary of his story.