The feast day of St. Patrick is March 17. The Catholic church celebrates his life as a patron saint to Ireland and slaves.
St. Patrick was born in Kilpatrick, Scotland in 387. His parents were Romans living in Britain. At the age of 14 he was captured and taken as a slave to Ireland where he tended sheep. During his captivity, Patrick turned to God in prayer. At the age of twenty he had a dream in which he was told to leave by going to the coast There he found sailors who helped him to escape and be reunited to his family.
Patrick studied to become a priest. Later he was ordained a bishop and sent back to Ireland to spread the gospel. Many people converted to the faith after hearing Patrick preach. His teaching about the Trinity by using a shamrock is still used today. St. Patrick is known for the following quote "Even the plants of the field tell us about God. The shamrock has three leaves but only one stem. Father Son, and Holy Spirit are not three gods, but One God" St. Patrick
St. Patrick wrote the book The Confessions. He is also known for the prayer The Breastplate of St. Patrick. The following version can be sung to the melody of Morning has Broken.
Breastplate of St. Patrick
Christ be behind me
Christ be before me
Christ be beside me, King of my heart.
Christ be within me,
Christ be below me,
Christ be above me, never to part.
Christ on my right hand,
Christ on my left hand,
Christ all around me, shield in the strife.
Christ in my sitting,
Christ in my sleeping,
Christ in my rising, light of my life.
As we joyfully welcome our new spiritual father Pope Francis, let us ask St. Patrick to pray for the Pope, Our Church, and each one of us that we may follow Christ by doing his will always.
St. Patrick died at Saul, Dawspatrick, Ireland on March 17, 461
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