Saint of the day for March 17: Saint Patrick

Legends about Patrick abound; but the truth is best served by the fact that we see two solid qualities in him: he was humble and courageous. The determination to accept suffering and success with equal indifference guided the life of God's instrument to win most of Ireland for Christ.

The details of his life are uncertain. Current research places her birth and death dates a little later than previous reports. Patrick may have been born in Dunbarton, Scotland, Cumberland, England or North Wales. He called himself both a Roman and a British. At 16, he and a large number of slaves and vassals. His father's were captured by Irish raiders and sold as slaves to Ireland. Forced to work as a shepherd, he suffered greatly from hunger and cold. After six years Patrizio fled, probably to France, and later returned to Great Britain at the age of 22. His imprisonment had meant spiritual conversion. He may have studied in Lerins, off the French coast; he spent years in Auxerre, France. And he was consecrated bishop at the age of 43. His great desire was to proclaim the good news to the Irish.

The Saint of today St. Patrick for help

In a dream vision it seemed that "all the children of Ireland from the womb were holding out their hands" to him. He understood the vision as a call to do missionary work in pagan Ireland. Despite opposition from those who felt his education had been lacking. Sent to carry out the task. He went west and north - where faith had never been preached. He obtained the protection of the local kings and made numerous converts. Due to the island's pagan origins, Patrick was adamant in encouraging widows to remain chaste and young women to consecrate their virginity to Christ. He ordained many priests, divided the country into dioceses, held ecclesiastical councils, founded several monasteries and continually urged his people for greater holiness in Christ.

It suffered a lot of opposition from the pagan druids. Criticized in both England and Ireland for the way he conducted his mission. In a relatively short time, the island had deeply experienced the Christian spirit and was ready to send missionaries whose efforts were very responsible for the Christianization of Europe.

Patrizio was a man of action, with little inclination to learn. He had a rock faith in his calling, in the cause he had espoused. One of the few writings that is certainly authentic is his Confessio, above all an act of homage to God for having called Patrick, an unworthy sinner, to the apostolate.

There is more hope than irony in the fact that his burial site is said to be in County Down in Northern Ireland, long the scene of conflict and violence.

Reflection: What sets Patrick apart is the duration of his efforts. When considering the state of Ireland when he started his mission. The vast extent of his labors and the way the seeds he planted continued to grow and bloom, one can only admire the kind of man Patrick must have been. The holiness of a person is known only by the fruits of his work.