Happy St. Paddy's!

Happy St. Paddy's!

by

Happy St. Patrick’s day!

St. Patrick is my confirmation saint but I have loved this Saint before I was even Catholic. It started on a grade 11 rugby tour of Ireland. I would even say I am a fruit of his labour... 

So I have taken him very seriously in my life, because Patrick is awesome. What is awesome about him is that along with St. Nicholas and St. Valentine, the whole world shares in our celebration of him. This is also a day when everyone feel like they’re Irish (if they want too). However, even though most people love this feast day (which is the day we celebrate a particular saint in the Catholic Church), they may not know why we celebrate it. 

I want you to know who this Saint really is! I want you to know of the man that lit a fire in pagan, 5th century Ireland, ushering Christianity into the country as a zealous courageous missionary.

In hope that in reading this, then you’ll share your knowledge of this saint on St. Patrick’s day.

Q. Why March 17th?

A. This is the day that St.Patrick Died in 461 AD

Q. Why a three leaf clover/Shamrock?

A. That’s what he used to explain the trinity. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 3 in 1

Q. Why Green?

A. Well, the Shamrock is green. Also, the colour green has been associated with Ireland. Similar to how red is with Canada.

Now read his epic story!

Patrick was born in Scotland. However when he was a teenager he was abducted and thrown onto a slave ship to in Ireland. At this time the land was full of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him. He worked there for six years and over that time in captivity he turned to God the Father. Then one night in a dream, God spoke to him and told him how to escape from his master and he made his way back to  Britain.  

However, when he was back in Britain with friends his heart was aching for service for God, and he had another dream: there was a man who came from Ireland with a whole bunch of letters. And he opened up one of the letters and it said 'The Voice of the Irish.' And then he heard a voice coming out of this letter that said, "Holy boy, please return to us. We need you. We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more." 

He became a priest and returned to do missionary work! To spread the Gospel. He left family and friends to serve the Irish. He started preaching the Gospel in Ireland.

SO COOL!

St. Patrick was a humble, pious, adventurous man, whose love and total devotion to and trust in God should be an example to each of us. He feared nothing, not even death. He was so committed to his faith and mission!

So, this St.Patrick’s Day, why not tell people what this day is truly about!

I attached this fun fact picture you can share on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and perhaps add the link to this blog!

Why not share this?

I’ll leave you with a St.Patrick prayer!

The beautiful prayer, popularly known as "St. Patrick's Breast-Plate", is supposed to have been composed by him in preparation for this victory over Paganism. The following is a literal translation from the old Irish text:

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day
I bind to myself today
The virtue of the love of seraphim,
In the priority obedience of angels,
In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
In prayers of Patriarchs,
In predictions of Prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faith of Confessors,
In purity of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I bind to myself today
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.

I bind to myself today
God's Power to guide me,
God's Might to uphold me,
God's Wisdom to teach me,
God's Eye to watch over me,
God's Ear to hear me,
God's Word to give me speech,
God's Hand to guide me,
God's Way to lie before me,
God's Shield to shelter me,
God's Host to secure me,
Against the snares of demons,
Against the seductions of vices,
Against the lustsof nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.

I invoke today all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.

Christ, protect me today
Against every poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ in the poop [deck],
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe

 

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