We all know Saint Patrick, beloved saint worldwide, captured into slavery and responsible for Christianizing Ireland. On March 17th, Irish or not, we all love to celebrate in his name. We have heard the stories of snakes and clovers, most likely exaggerated over the years, but for one of the world’s best-known saints, how much do we really know of his true self?
Where we learn the most about Saint Patrick as a person stems from his two writings: Confessio and a Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus.
What I find so amazing, is that at a time in history filled with power-hungry men, obsessed with their legacy, and trying to conquer the world (essentially selling their souls to the devil in trying to do so) a lowly country-boy is the one that millions still praise a millennium later. Funny how that works out.
Saint Patrick was a shepherd, both in the literal and figurative sense. It was his job while he was enslaved, and we see him grieve over the loss of the newly baptized members of his flock, which were slaughtered by Coroticus. Saint Patrick lived in constant peril and poverty.
In reading the writings of Saint Patrick his humility becomes abundantly apparent. He recognizes his shortcomings in education and is well-aware of his constant scrutiny by his superiors. He is not a man who set out to make a name for himself, he simply answered a call from God. He often refers to himself as a sinner, and diverts any credit for his accomplishments away from himself and back towards God.
Growing up he never dreamed he would become a bishop and it was probably because of his kind and humble nature that God chose him. It is truly amazing what we can become when we surrender ourselves to God’s plan. What courage Saint Patrick must have had, upon finally being reunited with his family after escaping slavery to willingly return to that land that held him captive in order to do God’s work.
I smile and picture Saint Patrick up in heaven today blushing at the sight of all the flashy parades and parties in his name. What would he think of such a spectacle? Are the other saints teasing him? Is God getting a good chuckle?
So, since everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day (including St. Patrick), grab your Guinness and give a cheers to the man who wanted no notoriety, yet became one of the most notorious men in history.
Read St. Patrick’s Confessio here.