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Saint Patrick
by ireland-information
The Patron Saint of Ireland was born into either a
Scottish or English family in the fourth century. He was captured as a teenager
by Niall of the Nine Hostages who was to become a King of all
Ireland.
He was sold into slavery in Ireland and put to work as a
shepherd. He worked in terrible conditions for six years drawing comfort in the
Christian faith that so many of his people had abandoned under Roman
rule.
Patrick had a dream that encouraged him to flee his captivity and
to head South where a ship was to be waiting for him. He travelled over 200
miles from his Northern captivity to Wexford town where, sure enough, a ship was
waiting to enable his escape.
Upon arrival in England he was captured by
brigands and returned to slavery. He escaped after two months and spent the next
seven years travelling Europe seeking his destiny.
During this time he
furthered his education and studied Christianity in the Lerin Monastery in
France. He returned to England as a priest. Again a dream greatly influenced him
when he became convinced that the Irish people were calling out to him to return
to the land of his servitude.
He went to the Monastery in Auxerre where
it was decided that a mission should be sent to Ireland. Patrick was not
selected for this task to his great disappointment. The monk that was selected
was called Paladius, but he died before he could reach Ireland and a second
mission was decided upon.
Patrick was made a Bishop by Pope Celestine in
the year 432 and, together with a small band of followers, traveled to Ireland
to commence the conversion.
Patrick confronted the most powerful man in
Ireland Laoghaire, The High King of Tara as he knew that if he could gain his
support that he would be safe to spread the word throughout Ireland. To get his
attention Patrick and his followers lit a huge fire to mark the commencement of
Spring. Tradition had it that no fire was to be lit until the Kings fire was
complete, but Patrick defied this rule and courted the confrontation with the
King.
The King rushed into action and travelled with the intention of
making war on the holy delegation. Patrick calmed the King and with quiet
composure impressed the King that he had no other intention than that of
spreading the word of the Gospel. The King accepted the missionary, much to the
dismay of the Druids who feared for their own power and position in the face of
this new threat. They commanded that he make snow fall. Patrick declined to do
so stating that this was Gods work. Immediately it began to snow, only stopping
when Patrick blessed himself.
Still trying to convince the King of his
religion Patrick grasped at some Shamrock growing on the ground. He explained
that there was but one stem on the plant, but three branches of the leaf,
representing the Blessed Trinity. The King was impressed with his sincerity and
granted him permission to spread the word of his faith, although he did not
convert to Christianity himself.
Patrick and his followers were free to
spread their faith throughout Ireland and did so to great effect. He drove
paganism (symbolised by the snake) from the lands of Eireann.
Patrick
was tempted by the Devil whilst on a pilgrimage at Croagh Patrick. For his
refusal to be tempted, God rewarded him with a wish. Patrick asked that the
Irish be spared the horror of Judgment Day and that he himself be allowed to
judge his flock. Thus, the legend that Ireland will disappear under a sea of
water seven years before the final judgment, was born.
Patrick died on
March 17th in the year 461 at the age of 76. It is not known for sure where his
remains were laid although Downpatrick in County Down in the North of Ireland is
thought to be his final resting place.
His influence is still felt to
this day as Nations the world over commemorate him on March 17th of every
year.
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