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St. Patrick
HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!
March 17 is well known as St. Patrick's Day, but who was St. Patrick?
St. Patrick was born into a wealthy family in Wales. His father was a Roman Officer and had a beautiful estate. Patrick had a good life until the age of sixteen, when a group of Irish raiders attacked his family estate, kidnapped him and brought him to Ireland to work as a slave. St. Patrick was forced to work as a shepherd. Being alone and away from his family and friends, attending the sheep in the hills was frightening for him. It was during those long days and nights that he turned to his belief in God.
At that time, Ireland had few Christians; the majority of people were pagans. It is believed this was the starting point for St. Patrick's dream of converting Ireland to Christianity.
Late one night, he heard a voice, which he believed to be God, telling him the end of his slavery is near. There would be a ship waiting for him to take him home.
His escape from his captures finally came. He walked the coast for two hundred miles and found the ship that was waiting for him. Home was finally in sight.
Knowing that he wanted to dedicate his life to God, he studied in a monastery in France for several years to prepare himself. In a dream, he heard the Irish people crying out to him to come back.
He was ordained a Priest and went to Ireland to minister to the Christians and to convert the pagans to Christianity. St. Patrick used their culture to teach them the ways of Christ. He used the shamrock to illustrate the Trinity.
St. Patrick was known as a humble, gentle man. March 17, 493 it is said to be the day of his death. To this day, we celebrate his life and dedication in spreading the "Good News of Jesus."
Copyright © 2008-2015 Nancy Panettiere
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