History of St. Patrick

St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity’s most widely known figures. But for all his celebrity, his life remains somewhat of a mystery. Many of the stories traditionally associated with St. Patrick, including the famous account of his banishing all the snakes from Ireland, are false, the products of hundreds of years of exaggerated storytelling.

ST. PATRICK: TAKEN PRISONER BY IRISH RAIDERS

It is known that St. Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D. Although his father was a Christian deacon, it has been suggested that he probably took on the role because of tax incentives and there is no evidence that Patrick came from a particularly religious family. At the age of 16, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family’s estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. (There is some dispute over where this captivity took place. Although many believe he was taken to live in Mount Slemish in County Antrim, it is more likely that he was held in County Mayo near Killala.) During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to his religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian. (It is also believed that Patrick first began to dream of converting the Irish people to Christianity during his captivity.)\ST. PATRICK: GUIDED BY VISIONS

After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped. According to his writing, a voice—which he believed to be God’s—spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to leave Ireland.

To do so, Patrick walked nearly 200 miles from County Mayo, where it is believed he was held, to the Irish coast. After escaping to Britain, Patrick reported that he experienced a second revelation—an angel in a dream tells him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Soon after, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than 15 years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission: to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish. (Interestingly, this mission contradicts the widely held notion that Patrick introduced Christianity to Ireland.)

ST. PATRICK: BONFIRES AND CROSSES

Familiar with the Irish language and culture, Patrick chose to incorporate traditional ritual into his lessons of Christianity instead of attempting to eradicate native Irish beliefs. For instance, he used bonfires to celebrate Easter since the Irish were used to honoring their gods with fire. He also superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross, so that veneration of the symbol would seem more natural to the Irish.

One story about him is amazing.

St. Patrick the Dead-Raiser

"As Patrick came near to Dublin, at that time a small village, he prophesied, "This village which is now very small shall hereafter become very eminent. it shall be enlarged in riches and dignity. Neither shall it cease to grow until it has become the principal seat of all the kingdom."

When the people of Dublin, having heard of the great signs and miracles that weredone through Patrick, and when they saw that he was coming to that village, they went out to meet him.

At this time, Alphinus was the king over Dublin. He and all the citizens were in great sorrow, for the death of the kings two children. The kings only son, called Eochadh had died a sickness, in his bedroom. The king's daughter, and a sister to the young prince, had just been drowned, in the adjoining river, now known as the Liffey.

She had ventured into the deep part, for the purpose of bathing. Her name was Dublinia, and from her, Dublin is thought to have derived its name. The young lady's body was drawn out of the waters after some considerable search, and laid by her brother's corpse, in order that their funeral rites might be solemnized together.

According to the superstition of the Druids , the tombs were prepared. In the meantime, news was spread over all the city, that "St. Patrick, the powerful reviver of many dead persons", had been seen in the town. For He who burst asunder the gates of death and of hell, smoothed the path for his servant.

The king and the people, who before had said to the Lord, "Depart from us, we will not the knowledge any of thy ways," were so cast down, saddened with grief, that all of their rebellion and all their barbarous rudeness, and all the pride of their idolatry, were utterly subdued. The King had previously rejected the Gospel because he had his druid wizards, who were pretty powerful. And so the king, hearing of St. Patrick's arrival, sent messengers to ask him to come in, where his two children lay dead.

When Patrick came to the room in which the two children were laid, the King asked him if he could do anything. Patrick replied that he could, but if the children were raised then He would do it in the Name of Jesus, and told the King that if God did this for him then He would have to promise to serve his God, the God of the Christians. The King agreed before all those present, that if God restored his children to life, that he and all the citizens would become Christians.

Seeing such a gain of souls, in the sight of the king, his nobles, and all the common people, Patrick raised from death to life those princely children, whose bodily resurrection co-operated much towards the spiritual resurrection of their father, with the rest of his people.

The king and all his subjects, being astonished at this great miracle, turned away from the worship of Druid idols, and they were baptized in the river Liffy.

From that day the King and all the people worshiped God and gave liberally to Patrick, so that he was able to give to the poor in that place and other places and have enough to build churches."

(Excerpt from the book "Celtic Flames" by Kathie Walters