Saint Patrick

Sam · #1 03-16-2010, 12:40 PM

Wednesday March 17 is St. Patrick's Day. It is usually observed by wearing green, drinking green beer, and eating corned beef and cabbage. Here in good old German Catholic Cincinnati we have a parade the weekend before St. Patrick's day but I've never gone down town to see it. We even have a Church in Cincinnati named after St. Patrick. It's just a few blocks from a German Church named after St. Boniface. I came across a biography of St. Patrick a few years ago and thought I would pass it on again this year. There are a lot of stories about the person we call St. Patrick and they happened so long ago it is hard to separate truth from legend. So I don't know how accurate this account is but it sounds like St. Paddy was quite a guy.
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PATRICK'S CHILDHOOD

Patrick was born of Christian parents toward the close of the fourth century. His father, Calpurnius, though of British race was by birth a Roman citizen, and held the rank, Decurion. The father and grandfather of Calpurnias, Potitus and Odissus, had both been Christians; so the family had kept the faith for at least several generations.

Conchessa, Patrick's mother, was a near relative of the great St. Martin of Tours. She was a wise and good woman, and sought to bring up their children in the fear and love of God.

As the son of a Roman Citizen, and a British noble, Patrick was bound to have had some education. According to the custom of British citizens of the Roman Empire, Patrick was given three names, rendered in Latin as Patricius, Magonus, Sacatus. Patricius meaning, 'Noble', and Sacatus, a Celtic word meaning, 'Valiant in war'.

The fact that St. Patrick worked great and wonderful miracles is beyond question, and those miracles won him enthusiastic admiration and enduring love of the people.

Miracles happened even over the birth of St. Patrick. As no priest was to be found, the infant was taken to the blind hermit, Gornias, to be baptized. A difficulty arose because there was no water to perform the ceremony. Gornias, however by faith, took the baby's hand and with it traced the sign of the cross upon the earth, and as a result, water gushed forth. Bathing his own eyes the hermit saw, and he then baptized Patrick.

From his childhood he had been able to understand the things of God. Patrick, in the Book of Epistles, said, "And God had pity on my youth and ignorance, and He took care of me before I knew Him, and before I could distinguish between good and evil. And He strengthened me and comforted me as a father does his son. "

MIRACLES

Once when Patrick was minding sheep with his little sister, Lupita, she tripped and fell, striking her head against a stone. Her brother was some distance away, but when he returned and found her lying unconscious, he prayed over her and raised her up. The wound was instantly healed, and the girl recovered. The scar remained visible, as a proof of the miracle. The children returned home together as if nothing had happened.

On one occasion when the Britons had a meeting, his foster-parents took him along with them. While they were there his foster-father suddenly collapsed and died. At first, a great hush fell upon the assembly, and then the man's relatives began to weep, and his wife cried, and calling to Patrick, she said, "My boy, why have you allowed the man who has been so kind to you to die?"

Patrick had been playing with the other children, and had not noticed at first the distress of the people. But seeing what had happened, he ran to his foster-father, and putting his arm round the dead man's neck, he said affectionately; "Get up and let us go home."

The man arose at once, and full of life, he returned home with his wife and boys.

SOLD AS A SLAVE

When Patrick was sixteen years old the Picts and Scots began to raid the coast, plunder and take hostages. One of the most victorious of these 'sea kings' was Niall, surnamed, "Of the Nine Hostages" (because he took hostages from nine places). It was during one of Niall's raids that Patrick was taken hostage one day, along with a maidservant, his sister, Lupita, and some other companions.

He was taken by ship to Ireland, somewhere along the coast of Antrim and sold as a slave to a petty king, Milcho. He was put in charge of a herd of swine and so spent most time out in the fields. But it was there that God was made real to him, and as he said later, his eyes were opened to see his unbelief, and he was truly converted. All the scripture which he learned as a child flooded his mind and heart and he decided then that somehow he would become a servant of God.

Milcho was so impressed with Patrick that he asked him to teach his children to read, but Milcho was a druid and opposed to Christianity, which was spreading across Ireland.

VICTOR, THE ANGEL SPEAKS TO PATRICK

Patrick had many conversations with the angel of Ireland, named Victor.

One night after six years, he heard a voice, the angel, Victor, who said, "Soon you will return to your country." A while later the same voice spoke to him again; "Your ship is ready." He managed to escape, trusting God and made his way to the coast. After a few days he found a ship ready to sail, and after some hassles he was taken on board.

Eventually Patrick after months of journeying, arrived home. His parents had died but his relatives welcomed him.

One night he was awakened by the same angel, Victor whom he had known in Ireland. He was standing beside Patrick's bed holding many letters in his hand, He selected one and handed it to Patrick. It read, "The Voice of the Irish." Then he heard many voices calling to him to come back to Ireland and bring the message of the Gospel.

PATRICK RETURNS TO IRELAND FOR GOD.

Finally God provided a way for Patrick to return to Ireland in 432 A.D.

So the ministry to the Irish began, not without opposition from the druids and wizards who tried desperately to keep Patrick away from the kings, for they had prophesied of his coming. Patrick believed that if the kings could be won for God, then the people would follow.

to be continued in part 2

Sam · #2 03-16-2010, 12:45 PM

continued

THE OPPOSITION OF THE DRUIDS AND THE KING OF TARA

One of the first spiritual battles between Patrick and the Druids was fought at the Hill of Tara, in 433 A.D.

The High King, Laeghaire (Leary), son of the renowned Niall of the Nine Hostages, had invited the sub-kings and nobles and bards to a lavish festival. It was to start with great bonfires, but until those fires were lit by the druids, it was forbidden for other fires to be seen.

King Laeghaire, in his efforts to hold his power over the lower kings had given himself to the power of the wizards, and skillful magicians and Druidic priests along with their idols.

Lochru and Lucat-Mael were his chief wizards, and being false prophet s they had foretold that "An evil teacher would come from over the sea to their land: That a multitude would receive him, and that he would find love and reverence from the men of Ireland, He would cast out from their realms the evil kings and lords, and would destroy all the idols. The worship established by him, would abide in the land forever."

No doubt the druids knew of the progress of Christianity in Britain and Europe. Their brethren abroad had been discredited and they were afraid of the same fate. They were very much afraid of losing their influence and authority.

Patrick leaving the friendly hospitality of Dichu, sailed southward and arrived at Inver Colptha, the mouth of the river Boyne. They followed the course of the stream, for about 12 miles until they came to the hill of Slane, where Patrick proposed to celebrate Easter.

While they rested there on the hill, they saw the magnificent view beneath of the river Boyne; to the north, far away were the purple mountains of Mourne, and to the south lay the beautiful hills of Wicklow. Against this background, about 10 miles away, stood the royal
hill of Tara. The roofs of the palaces were shining in the setting sun.

When the sun had set, Patrick prepared to begin the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. It was the first time the paschal fire was lit, never to be extinguished in the land.

Hardly were the Christian torches seen to blaze, when the attention of the High King was drawn to the scene. The whole of Mag Breg, (the Beautiful Plain), was illuminated by the fires, while Tara was still in darkness.

Angrily the King called his attendants and told them to find out who had dared to light the fires, and break the law he had made for the occasion of the festivals of Beltane and Samhain.

The wizards told King Laeghaire that there was no need to send messengers to Slane for they knew what the fires were. "We see the fire," they said, "And we know that unless it is quenched on the night in which it is made, it will not be quenched for ever. The man who kindled it, will vanquish the kings and lords of Ireland, unless he is forbidden."

"This shall not be!" cried the king, "but we will go down and kill this man who made the fires."

The horses were hastily made ready.

Meanwhile on the hill of Slane, Patrick had begun with the others the celebration of the Easter festival, singing and worshiping God.

It was late when nine chariots, bearing the king and queen with two chief Druids, and a number of nobles came thundering toward Slane. The wizards began to fear that the king might fail by taking a hasty action. As they drew toward the Christians, the druid wizards spoke to King Laeghaire, "You should be careful," they cautioned the king, "Not to go down to the place where the fire was made, and give any respect to the man who kindled the fire. Stay outside and have him brought out to you, so that he will know that you are the king, and he is the subject." The king was flattered and agreed.

They drove to the place called, "The Graves of Fiacc's Men," and they unyoked the horses. The king and his nobles sat in solemn state, and the warriors stood with their shields erect in front of them. In the light of the fires they looked very fierce. The king forbade anyone to rise to greet Patrick or any of his company, (contrary to the custom of the Irish). A messenger was sent to fetch Patrick.

Soon a bright procession appeared descending the hill. As Patrick advanced, all eyes were fixed on him. Calmly he sang as he approached the king, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will call upon the Name of the Lord our God."

As Patrick's clear strong voice resounded, a feeling of awe filled the minds of the warriors. One man. Erc, the son of Deg, rose to greet Patrick. By grace, in a moment, he believed in God, and Patrick blessed him. Later on he was baptized and eventually became the first bishop of Slane. And Patrick prophesied to him, "Your city on earth will be high and noble."

After a "formal" greeting between Laeghaire and Patrick, the wizard Lochru attacked him angrily with contention and shouting. He became malicious and hostile, and even violent, blaspheming the Holy Trinity. Patrick's anger was roused and he called upon God, "O Lord, Who can do all things. And on Whose power everything depends. You have sent us here to preach Your Name to the heathen. Now let this ungodly man, who blasphemes your Name, be lifted up and let him die."

No sooner had Patrick finished speaking than a supernatural force raised the wizard in the air. He fell heavily down, his head striking a stone. And so he died in the presence of those assembled.

The heathen seeing their own subdued, and realizing that Patrick had more powers than the druids, were greatly affected.

But the king was enraged at the fate of Lochru, on whom he had greatly depended. He then wanted to take the life of Patrick. "Slay this man," he cried to his guards.

But Patrick stood firmly in his place. With flashing eyes and resonant voice he said, "Let God arise and His enemies be scattered. Let them that hate Him, flee from before His face! As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish away: as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God."

By this time the sun had begun to rise and the morning splendor bathed the earth. But at the words of Patrick, darkness crept back over the sky and the ground shook with an earthquake.

The swords and spears of the warriors clashed against their shields and it seemed to them that sky was falling down, and there was no hope of escape from impending destruction. The frightened horses galloped away in wild confusion, and the wind blew so fiercely that the chariots were moved.

Because of the confusion and fear, the warriors began to fight among themselves, and some were killed. Realizing their mistake, they fled leaving only three people with King Laeghaire and Queen Angas.

The king remained sullen and silent but the queen rose and approached Patrick. She spoke to him with respect. "Just and mighty man," she said, "Do not destroy the king. He will come to you and he will do your will and he will kneel and believe in your God," Her influence prevailed and because the events of the past few hours had shaken him, the king kneeled before Patrick, offering peace. It was a false gesture, designed to allow him to avoid the present situation.

Laehaire designed a plan in his mind to try and kill Patrick on the way to his castle. "Follow after me, to my castle, Cleric," said the wily king, "And at Tara I may believe in your God in the presence of the men of Ireland."

Patrick consented and Laeghire gave orders to his servant that an ambush should be set on several paths between Slane to Tara. The chariots were yoked once more by the attendant who had now returned, and the royal party set out back to the palace. They were very weary and discouraged after their disastrous night with Patrick

Patrick and his company continued the interrupted Easter Day celebration with hearts full of gratitude to God. Then Patrick selected his companions and blessed them before setting out for Tara. There were eight young clerics, including Patrick, and the boy, Benignus, who never left Patrick's side. They had ten miles to walk, "But God covered them with a cloak of darkness," so that they could not be seen. God had revealed to Patrick the evil design of the king.

The servants as they watched saw only eight deer and a fawn (Benignus). It was after this that Patrick wrote his famous hymn, "The Deer's Cry," in which he gave God praise and expressed his firm belief in the Resurrection, the Incarnation and, Death and Ascension of Christ. He declared glory to God, who was his defense against the wiles of the devil and against all forms of superstition and idolatry; ending with an appeal to Christ to be with him always and speak to him through every creature.

The battle between Patrick and King Laeghaire and his evil magicians continued over the next few days, after the great feasts at the castle in Tara. At the end of the feast, the king arranged a competition between the wizard, Lucaet-mael, and Patrick. After many demonstrations on the part of both men, Lucaet-mael was killled and Patrick came off victor. The king and many of his subjects became Christians and Patrick went away with permission to evangelize Ireland.

to be continued in part 3

Sam · #3 03-16-2010, 12:47 PM

continued

He spent the year (433A.D.) preaching the Gospel, winning the sub-kings and nobles over to the Christian faith, and consequently the people. He constantly managed to escape from those who wanted to kill him, and gave demonstrations of the power God, with great miracles everywhere.

His prayers were powerful because his humility was great. He healed the sick, delivered the oppressed, and raised the dead

When Patrick came to Dublina (Dublin) which was then a small village, he prophesied how great that small village would someday become. He also caused a fountain to spring up there. It happened that in the region nearby, the young son of the king lay dead in his chamber. The sorrow over his death was compounded when it was learned that his sister, who had gone to bathe in the neighboring river, had drowned in midstream. Her body was finally found resting on the riverbed, and was laid out beside that of her brother. Tombs were prepared for both according to pagan custom.

At this sorrowful time the rumor spread that Patrick of Ardmachia (Armagh), who in the Name of the Unknown God had raised many that were dead, had arrived in the village. The king, Alphimus, promised that he, his nobles, and the whole "city" would be baptized into the new faith if his two children were restored. Patrick, seeing the opportunity for a great gain of souls, raised them both to life. By the physical resurrection of the prince and princess, the spiritual resurrection of the whole area from the darkness of paganism and idolatry was accomplished.

Many of the Celtic Saints, because of their close relationship to God, knew when they were going to die, and would make arrangement to go to the place which they felt was for their resurrection. In Patrick's case he felt that he should die in Armagh, a place he was deeply attached to. He started to make arrangements to get there, but the angel Victor forbade him saying, "It is not there that your resurrection is granted to you, go back to the place from which you came, namely Dichu's Barn. But God has granted that your name shall be known and your teaching shall be in Armagh, as if you were still alive in it." So it has been since that time.

Patrick returned to Saul, to Dichu's Barn, on Strangford Lough, where he had made his first celebration in Ireland. He gave thanks to God, received Holy Communion from Bishop Tassach and then gave up his spirit to God. The Tripartite Life sums up Patrick's life in the following words:

"Now after founding churches in plenty; after consecrating monasteries, after baptizing the people of Ireland; after great patience and labor; after destroying idols, and rebuking kings who did not do the will of God; after ordaining three hundred and seventy Bishops, and three thousand priests, ministers and laymen; after fasting and prayer; after mercy and clemency; after love of God and his neighbor, he gave up his spirit to God." It is said that for the twelve nights of his funeral rites, an angelic radiance was seen around his body

Before he died, on 17th march, 471 A.D., Patrick made this confession:

"If I ever accomplished anything good, for the sake of my God, Whom I love, I ask Him to grant that I can shed my blood with the strangers and captives for His Name's Sake. If I, Patrick the sinner, have done any small thing according to the will of God, I attribute it to the
gift of God alone. And this is my confession before I die." .

BeenThinkin · #4 03-16-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

continued

He spent the year (433A.D.) preaching the Gospel, winning the sub-kings and nobles over to the Christian faith, and consequently the people. He constantly managed to escape from those who wanted to kill him, and gave demonstrations of the power God, with great miracles everywhere.

His prayers were powerful because his humility was great. He healed the sick, delivered the oppressed, and raised the dead

When Patrick came to Dublina (Dublin) which was then a small village, he prophesied how great that small village would someday become. He also caused a fountain to spring up there. It happened that in the region nearby, the young son of the king lay dead in his chamber. The sorrow over his death was compounded when it was learned that his sister, who had gone to bathe in the neighboring river, had drowned in midstream. Her body was finally found resting on the riverbed, and was laid out beside that of her brother. Tombs were prepared for both according to pagan custom.

At this sorrowful time the rumor spread that Patrick of Ardmachia (Armagh), who in the Name of the Unknown God had raised many that were dead, had arrived in the village. The king, Alphimus, promised that he, his nobles, and the whole "city" would be baptized into the new faith if his two children were restored. Patrick, seeing the opportunity for a great gain of souls, raised them both to life. By the physical resurrection of the prince and princess, the spiritual resurrection of the whole area from the darkness of paganism and idolatry was accomplished.

Many of the Celtic Saints, because of their close relationship to God, knew when they were going to die, and would make arrangement to go to the place which they felt was for their resurrection. In Patrick's case he felt that he should die in Armagh, a place he was deeply attached to. He started to make arrangements to get there, but the angel Victor forbade him saying, "It is not there that your resurrection is granted to you, go back to the place from which you came, namely Dichu's Barn. But God has granted that your name shall be known and your teaching shall be in Armagh, as if you were still alive in it." So it has been since that time.

Patrick returned to Saul, to Dichu's Barn, on Strangford Lough, where he had made his first celebration in Ireland. He gave thanks to God, received Holy Communion from Bishop Tassach and then gave up his spirit to God. The Tripartite Life sums up Patrick's life in the following words:

"Now after founding churches in plenty; after consecrating monasteries, after baptizing the people of Ireland; after great patience and labor; after destroying idols, and rebuking kings who did not do the will of God; after ordaining three hundred and seventy Bishops, and three thousand priests, ministers and laymen; after fasting and prayer; after mercy and clemency; after love of God and his neighbor, he gave up his spirit to God." It is said that for the twelve nights of his funeral rites, an angelic radiance was seen around his body

Before he died, on 17th march, 471 A.D., Patrick made this confession:

"If I ever accomplished anything good, for the sake of my God, Whom I love, I ask Him to grant that I can shed my blood with the strangers and captives for His Name's Sake. If I, Patrick the sinner, have done any small thing according to the will of God, I attribute it to the
gift of God alone. And this is my confession before I die." .

Sam.... you must be tired after typing all that! Oh well you can relax when you drink your green beer on St. Pat's Day!

Been Thinkin

TJJJ · #5 03-16-2010, 05:51 PM

Paganism.

BeenThinkin · #6 03-16-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJJJ

Paganism.

Sam or St Patrick Day?

BeenThinkin

TJJJ · #7 03-16-2010, 08:13 PM

Yep!

berkeley · #8 03-16-2010, 08:15 PM

I have a St Pattrick's Day story... involves a concert, over hydration, lost sandals, and a cold cement floor.

Sam · #9 03-16-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

Sam.... you must be tired after typing all that! Oh well you can relax when you drink your green beer on St. Pat's Day!

Been Thinkin

I didn't type it all up. Some I downloaded over a period of time and cut and paste. I had it filed away from last year and just re-posted it this year.

Ever had green beer? It tastes the same as the regular stuff and comes out pretty clear.
It's been quite a few years since I've had any.