Whenever March arrives, St. Patrick’s Day pops in my head, along with pictures of shamrocks, corned beef and all things green. Did you know it’s one of the biggest drinking days of the year? I remember that oh too well in my pre-Christian days when I would join co-workers after work to indulge in beer–and lots of it. Some of it was even green! I was celebrating a holiday I knew nothing about, except that St. Patrick was referred to as the “Patron Saint of Ireland.”
Until the other day that is when I watched the documentary, “I am Patrick.” It was eye-opening. I learned that Patrick wasn’t even Irish. He was British! His father was a wealthy British Senator and also a member of the clergy.
In the 5th Century, when Patrick was about sixteen, he was kidnapped from his home in what is now known as England (part of the Roman Empire at the time), along with others, by a band of Irish raiders/pirates. He was brought to Ireland into slavery as a shepherd. During that very difficult time, he surrendered to God entirely, and became a very devout Christian, in a country void of Christianity. One night, God showed him in a dream that he would soon be returning home.
Six years after his captivity, he escaped. He walked miles for many days and found a ship leaving for Ireland. He convinced the Captain to take him aboard. (He is the only known slave to have ever escaped captivity in the Roman Empire.)
When he eventually found his way back home, he studied to become a clergyman. Years later, he was appointed Bishop.
Once again God came to him in a dream and told Patrick he wanted him to return to Ireland to evangelize the pagan country. The church higher ups resisted his request, as hardship and even death could await him. But Patrick convinced them it was the will of God, and they allowed him to go as the first Christian missionary to Ireland.
For decades, Patrick worked tirelessly to evangelize a country who had their own ‘gods’ and who had never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He endured many hardships along the way, including beatings and imprisonments. Some of his new converts were even slaughtered, but Patrick never gave up. He dedicated his life to God and to the people of Ireland, never returning to his home country.
God didn’t cause those raiders to kidnap Patrick, as all men are given a free will to do good or evil. But God will take what Satan means for evil, and turn it around for good, just as it says in Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works together for good.”
So when you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, think about St. Patrick and all he sacrificed, in obedience to the one who sacrificed for all.
Mary Therese Hutchinson 