The Real Saint Patrick was Remarkable Indeed

St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints. To be sure, he was neither a leprechaun nor sprite. He may have been a tenor but probably not a Celtic dancer. Did he drink Irish Whiskey or imbibe in strong drink? I am uncertain as to what, if any spirits he consumed. This I am uncertain of;  St. Patrick was born in Britain around 389. As a youth, he was captured by marauders during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of druids and pagans. St. Patrick learned the language and practices of the people who held him. But he turned to God during his captivity and became a devout Christian. After an extraordinary escape from Ireland around the age of 20, he was called back in a vision from God. He returned to the place of his captivity to spread the gospel. There he spent the remainder of his life, converting all of Ireland to Christianity.  What is remarkable about this man is not that a holiday is named for him but how he lived his life. He spent his life building churches, living in poverty and enduring much suffering and privations for the sake of Christ. Legend has it that St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and it has been associated with him and the Irish ever since. By his death in A.D. 461, Patrick had founded 300 churches and baptized 120,000 believers – and his followers re-evangelized Europe! We have much to learn from the life of this unassuming, dutiful and passionate man. The story of his devotion to Christ and to preaching the "Good News" should serve as an inspiration to all Christians, everywhere. Saint Patrick was obedient to Christ's calling. Jesus called him to "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son and Holy Spirit."