St. Patrick

With Saint Patrick’s Day just past I was reflecting on a magazine article I read quite some time ago about the the Saint himself, Patrick. Alas I could not find the original article but let me recount some points I remember (that I found rather fascinating at the time).

I was surprised to learn that Patrick was actually Scottish. He ended up in Ireland after being kidnapped and sold into slavery. After his eventual escape and return to Britain he decided to become a Priest and evangelise to the people. He was urged to go to Ireland by a Bishop when the church made an evangelical push into Ireland.

It is well known that Patrick’s evangelism in Ireland was massively successful and he is credited as almost single-handedly spreading the Gospel to Ireland. Previous missionaries to Ireland had often fought with the local Druid religion and culture but Patrick went for a more peaceful approach setting up churches in quieter areas so as not to clash with the local customs. Perhaps his early experiences as a slave in Ireland were providential as he was able to understand the culture and customs of the locals to better share the gospel with them.

Apparently it is well known, although it was news to me, that Patrick used the shamrock as a metaphor for the idea that God is actually three parts: God The Father, The Son and Holy Spirit, in one. The Holy Trinity.

I think many in Patrick’s circumstance, kidnapped and sold into slavery, would not have developed such a character to use the experience as a way to share the Gospel with those who were responsible for what must have been some of the most trying times in his life… although a young boy named Joseph does spring to mind, but that’s a story for another day.