I don’t really like flying although it has become part of my life due to being called to live in a foreign country. I experience the strange sensation of “butterflies in my tummy” as the date of departure approaches. Then when I am seated on the aeroplane, I read or say part of St Patrick’s breastplate which begins:
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me …
Today, March 17, is the day we remember and, in some cases, celebrate St. Patrick as the patron saint of Ireland. However, Patrick was not Irish but born on the British west coast towards the end of the fourth Century. He hailed from what has been considered an aristocratic family who themselves owned land and had servants. Patrick would have been well-educated, probably in Latin. His education would have included a grounding in Christian faith — indeed his grandfather, Potitus, was a priest.
When Patrick was sixteen his life changed. He was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland as a slave. He was one of thousands enslaved by the Irish at that time.
Slavery is a horrible practice. It has been pervasive throughout human history, taking various forms across many different cultures and time periods. Historically, slavery has existed in many societies, including ancient civilizations like Egypt, Greece, Rome, and various African realms. It involves the ownership and exploitation of individuals as property. Perhaps one of the most infamous examples is the transatlantic slave trade, which forcibly transported millions of Africans to the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries.
While formal slavery has been abolished in most countries, it still persists in modern times. According to the “World Population Review” there are an estimated forty-six million slaves being harboured by 167 countries at this current time. That shocks me — forty-six million slaves in 2024!
Of course, there are efforts to combat contemporary slavery include legal reforms, international treaties, and advocacy campaigns but the high numbers remain.
St Patrick was enslaved for six years before his escape. In his Confessions Patrick later reflected that he saw this as punishment for his lack of faith and admitted that “I did not know the true God.” (Conf. 1).
As a slave he was put to work in remote, rural countryside tending flocks. It was in this lonely, isolated place that Patrick turned to God. He says, “More and more the love of God increased, and my sense of awe before God. Faith grew, and my spirit was moved, so that in one day I would pray up to one hundred times, and at night perhaps the same. I even remained in the woods and on the mountain, and I would rise to pray before dawn in snow and ice and rain. I never felt the worse for it, and I never felt lazy – as I realise now, the spirit was burning in me at that time.” (Conf. 16)
In the Confessions Patrick also talks about how God revealed to him when to escape. He made a tortuous journey that involved many hardships and re-capture for a short period before finally making it home where he was welcomed by his parents.
Sometime later he received a vision with a call to return to Ireland. “They called out as it were with one voice: “We beg you, holy boy, to come and walk again among us.”” (Conf. 23).
There followed a time of preparation. I think it is worth noting here that preparation is always necessary for ministry. It is a good principle to follow — call, preparation, ministry.
Details about St. Patrick's specific training to be ordained as a priest are not extensively documented, but it's believed that he underwent religious education and training in Gaul (modern-day France).
During that time period, it was common for individuals seeking ordination to receive formal theological instruction and spiritual formation from established religious communities. Gaul was known for its Christian presence and had several prominent monastic centers and schools where aspiring clergy could receive training. The duration of training to be ordained as a priest varied depending on the specific circumstances and the individual's educational background. For St. Patrick, who underwent training in Gaul after escaping captivity in Ireland, it's likely that his preparation for ordination spanned several years. This would have included studying under experienced Christian teachers, engaging in theological reading, participating in practical ministry activities, and undergoing spiritual formation. Obviously, it was an important time for St. Patrick who later writes, “I would like to go to Gaul to visit the brothers and to see the faces of the saints of my Lord. God knows what I would dearly like to do.” (Conf. 43)
I should add that scholars have studied St. Patrick extensively, but there are still debates and discussions about various aspects of his life and legacy. There is consensus among scholars that St. Patrick was a real historical figure who played a significant role in the spread of Christianity in Ireland. However, the details of his life, including specific dates and events, are sometimes difficult to verify due to limited historical records from that period.
There are many legends about St Patrick. While not necessarily historically accurate they contribute to the enduring legacy and significance of St. Patrick. One particularly important story is St. Patrick using a shamrock to explain the trinity. He showed that the three leaves of the shamrock are distinct yet part of the same plant — three in one. This symbol is widely used in Christianity. Another legend has St. Patrick driving all the snakes out of Ireland. Clearly a myth as there were no native snakes in Ireland but is usually interpreted spiritually as ridding the country of evil influences.
Although there is no direct evidence to link St Patrick with the adapting of pagan holidays into Christian ones as an influential figure in the Christianisation of Ireland it is likely he contributed to the concept. The process of adapting pagan days to Christian ones was a way for early Christians to give context to their faith within the cultural framework of the communities they went to minister to. For example, the Roman festival of Saturnalia became Christmas. Easter was aligned with the Spring equinox a time associated with fertility and renewal, changing the season so Christians could infuse it with deeper spiritual significance while maintaining continuity with existing cultural observances.
Briefly to conclude, I want to think about what I can learn from St. Patrick. How can I enhance my own spirituality through his life practices? I think for today, I will content myself with just three words — thankfulness, forgiveness, endurance.
Thankfulness — Personal prayer and spiritual growth was an integral part of Patrick’s life with that was always thankfulness. In his own words.
“I want to give thanks to God without ceasing”. (Conf 46)
“I am greatly in debt to God. He gave me such great grace, that through me, many people should be born again in God and brought to full life”. (Conf 38)
“So I’ll never stop giving thanks to my God, who kept me faithful in the time of my temptation”. (Conf. 34)
Forgiveness — St. Patrick faced numerous challenges throughout his life, particularly during his mission in Ireland, so an important practice to note in his life was forgiveness, extending grace and mercy to others, even in the face of injustice. By forgiving his captors, St. Patrick serves as an example for all, showing that forgiveness is not only a personal act of healing but also a powerful expression of love and compassion towards others, regardless of the harm they may have caused. It is a powerful reminder that through forgiveness, the cycle of violence can be broken, and reconciliation and peace can be found.
Endurance — After his escape and rigorous training, St. Patrick felt called to return to Ireland as a missionary. He faced significant opposition from pagan Druids, tribal leaders, and even some fellow Christians who doubted his mission. St. Patrick endured hostility and persecution from those who opposed his efforts to spread Christianity in Ireland. He faced threats to his personal safety and was subjected to various forms of harassment and persecution. He endured all these hardships while learning the language and customs of the people plus navigating Ireland’s rugged terrain and dispersed population which presented logistical challenges as he traveled throughout the country to preach and establish churches. Throughout St. Patrick remained steadfast. He wrote, “I pray that God give me perseverance, and that he grant me to bear faithful witness to him right up to my passing from this life, for the sake of my God.” (Conf. 58)
I’ll end with a few more words from the breastplate which is attributed to St Patrick.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity
Through belief in the threeness
Through confession of the oneness
Of the creator of creation.
