Saint Patrick (Latin: Patricius; Proto-Irish: *Qatrikias; Modern Irish: Pádraig; Welsh: Padrig; c. 387 – 17 March c. 460 or c. 492) was a Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Known as the"Apostle of Ireland", he is the primary patron saint of the island along with Saints Brigid and Columba.
Patrick was born to wealthy Christian Parents a little over 1, 600 years ago, in the British Isles. According to two letters he had written, at the age of 16, while on his Father's country estate, he was kidnapped by pirates, and taken to pagan Ireland, where he was sold as a slave. After 6 years of servitude, he escaped, and found a ship that took him back home.
While he was a slave, Patrick's spiritual life had deepened. After his escape, he went to Gaul, where he studied in a monastery. During his training there, he realized his Calling was to convert the Irish pagans by returning one day to Ireland to preach the Gospel.
Eventually, Patrick was ordained a Priest, and later, a Bishop, after which he was granted his wish to go back to Ireland. His mission in Ireland lasted 30 years. During that time, he established monasteries, Churches, and schools throughout the country. He is credited with its eventual conversion. He died March 17, 461 AD.
Legend (dating to 1726, according to the OED) credits St. Patrick with teaching the Irish about the doctrine of the Holy Trinity by showing people the shamrock, a three-leafed plant, using it to illustrate the Christian teaching of three persons in one God. For this reason, shamrocks are a central symbol for St Patrick’s Day.
Myths, legends, and colorful stories have illustrated St. Patrick, including one that states that after a 40 day fast on a mountain, he ran all the snakes in Ireland into the sea:))) Historians claim that snakes NEVER existed in Ireland.
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY, with LOVE!!!
ANCIENT ST. PATRICK'S DAY PRAYER...
O God,
by whose providence the blessed Patrick
was chosen to be
the apostle of the Irish;
that thus the people of Hibernia,
who had gone astray in darkness
and in the errors of the Gentiles,
might be made children of the Most High
by the laver of regeneration:
Grant, we beseech thee,
that by his intercession,
we may hasten without delay
to the paths of justice.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen. From the Breviary of Armagh, cited in The Liturgical Year: Vol. 5
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