Centuries ago, when Britain was ruled by Rome, there was a young boy named Patrick who lived in Britain with his family.

He was born in Scotland in 387 AD. 

Although Patrick's parents had reared him as a Christian,

he didn't take their teachings seriously.

He preferred to follow the sinful example of other youths.

Patrick continued in this way of life until one day he was

captured by a band of marauders from Ireland

who made him return with them as a slave to their country.

They forced him to live in poverty and hunger,

working as a shepherd and a swineherd.

Patrick missed Britain and his family so much

that he thought his heart would break.

He began to pray, however, asking God to help him

and begging forgiveness for his sins.

The Lord heard his prayers, filling him with the fire

of a new faith he had never known before.

One night while Patrick was still in captivity,

God showed him a way to escape from Ireland,

and after six years of slavery , he found his way back to Britain and his family.

From that time on, Patrick dedicated his life to God,

eventually receiving Holy Orders.

His life became a continual quest for holiness.

One night while Patrick was at prayer, he heard a voice calling him.

An angel appeared to him with the message

that the people of Ireland wished him to return to their country

and walk among them once more-this time,

not as a captive, but as God's apostle.

Patrick saw God ' s plan in all that had happened,

and he consented to return to Ireland.

He was consecrated bishop and was sent there by Pope St.Celestine to preach the Gospel of Christ.

In the early days, Patrick suffered great persecution,

but the fire that God had kindled in his heart spread throughout all of Ireland,

and Patrick came to be regarded as an angel among men.

He died in the year 464.

Saint Patrick stands as a symbol of the Irish,

of the unique destiny they claim,

and of the beloved place they will always have in God's heart.

The three -petaled shamrock, different from the four-leaf clover,

now popular in the secular celebrations of St. Patrick's Day

was used by this great Saint to teach the Mystery of the Holy Trinity

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three Persons in one God.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~    

  CLICK ON OUR STORE BANNER BELOW TO BUY A BEAUTIFUL ROSARY WITH SAINT PATRICK CENTER

ALL SALES SUPPORT OUR APOSTOLATE TO PROVIDE FREE SACRAMENTALS TO THE MISSIONS AND THOSE WHO REQUEST THEM THROUGH OUR WEBSITE

...But will ye please be usin' your BACK arrow to return to this site...