Saint Patrick :)

Contrary to the belief of many, St. Patrick was not Irish, he was British.  He did not begin life as a devout Christian; but he became one.  At the end of his 6 year captivity in Ireland, instead of becoming bitter, he became devoted to our Lord Jesus Christ.  He had a dream in which he heard God tell him it was time to leave Ireland.  Walking 200 miles to the coast, he did.

He returned home to Britain and had another dream in which,

“And there verily I saw in the night visions, a man whose name was Victorius coming as it were from Ireland with countless letters. And he gave me one of them, and I read the beginning of the letter, which was entitled “The Voice of the Irish”; and while I was reading aloud the beginning of the letter, I thought that at that very moment I heard the voice of those who lived beside the wood of Folcut, which is nigh unto the Western Sea. And thus they cried, as with one mouth: “We beseech thee , O holy youth, to come and walk once more among us.” And I was exceedingly broken in heart, and would read no further. And so I awoke. Thanks be to God, that after very many years the Lord granted to them according to their cry”-St. Patrick

After he studied and became a priest, he returned to Ireland & the Irish people.  Which should perhaps teach us a great lesson, if we want to bring people to faith in Christ, we must love them first ?

There is another lesson that Saint Patrick taught us.  He taught us the importance of courage.  St. Patrick did not live in easy times.  Trouble lay around every corner.  Having been taken by Irish pirates and held captive for six years, he knew well the dangers of returning to Ireland.  But he did not let his fears stop him.  He loved Ireland and the Irish people, and he loved Jesus.  God Blessed him with the courage to return to Ireland, and because of his faith and courage, the Irish people received Jesus. 

We can ask God to Bless us with courage to, for whatever Jesus calls us to do.  And God will ?

The Catholic Church never actually canonized St. Patrick as a saint, but they do greatly honor his service to Jesus. And while, at the time, there were only a few Christians in Ireland, St. Patrick spread Christianity though out all of Ireland. 

St. Patrick was called the Patron Saint of Ireland by the people of Ireland.  Also known at the “Apostle of Ireland”,  his life of service to the people of Ireland and Jesus is celebrated every March 17^th.  He is regarded by many as the Founder of Christianity in Ireland.

His courage and deep love for the Irish people made him a man the Irish could relate to and believe.  His determination to follow Jesus made him a “Saint” of the people, and much beloved by God.  ?