Pray For Us St Patrick
in Dublin is also known
as Ard Eaglais Naomh Padraig.
(Say that after
a few guinesses!)
It was founded in 1191
and given cathedral status
in 1224.
And Saint Patrick himself...
He was born in Scotland
around 385AD.
17th March was the date
he died, back in 461AD.
His family wasn’t
especially religious,
but they were wealthy...
Aged 16, his family
were robbed and attacked.
Patrick was abducted,
taken to Ireland
and held captive for six years.
During these years,
he worked as a shepherd.
It is said that this
was a lonely and
distressing time for him
(abduction, forced labour... likely!)
and he turned to religion.
Finally, Patrick escaped.
According to his writings,
God spoke to him
in a dream,
telling him to leave Ireland.
He walked and walked
and walked to the coast
and fled back to Scotland.
Later, another dream...
an angel, telling him
to return to Ireland.
15 years of religious study
followed and Patrick
became a priest.
In 433AD, he was sent
back to Ireland- to minister
the Christians there
and to convert the majority
of the rest
of the Irish population.
For 40 years he preached
and converted,
converted and preached...
He created the Celtic Cross.
It’s a Christian cross
with a sun.
(In Ireland, the sun
is a powerful symbol.)
His life was not easy,
but... being devoted
to his God,
he was content.
And the snakes...
never confirmed.
Pity.
Regardless, it is St Patrick’s Day
and my paternal grandfather
always asked St Patrick
to pray for us.
I can almost imagine
St Patrick and my
very cool Pop
sitting down for a good yarn
and a cup of tea.
“Pray for us, Saint Patrick”.
St Patrick’s picture source.
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