March 17, 2012

• St. Patrick’s Life: A Summary

  From Kenneth Scott Latourette’s A History of Christianity (101-102)

  Patrick was a native of Roman Britain, but of what part we are not sure. He was at least a third generation Christian, for he speaks of his father as having been a deacon and his paternal grandfather a presbyter. We cannot be certain of the date of his birth, but the year most frequently given is 389. Presumably rared as a Christian in fairly comfortable circumstances, perhaps with a smattering of Latin, when about sixteen years old Patrick was carried away captive to Ireland by one of those raids which, breaking throug the weakening defenses of the Roman borders, were harassing Britain. For at least six years he was a a slave in Ireland and was set to tending flocks. There, perhaps through the solitude and hardships of his lot, his inherited faith deepened and he filled his days and nights with prayer. Dreams came which aroused in him hopes of seeing his homeland and which nerved him to seek and obtain passage on a ship. We are not certain of his life for the next few years. He may have wandered in Italy and perhaps spent some time in a monastery on an island off the souther coast of Gaul. It is clear that he eventually made his way back to Britain and was greeted with joy by his family as one risen from the dead. 

  Again there came dreams, now with what seemed to him a letter, “the voice of the Irish,” with the appeal: “We beseech thee, holy youth, to come and walk with us once more.” Heeding the call, Patrick returned to Ireland, but how soon and when we do not know. He was consecrated bishop, but again we cannot tell by whom or when. He seems to have had many years in Ireland for he speaks of baptizing thousands and of ordaining clergy. Although he himself was not a monk, under his influence sons and daughters of chieftains adopted that way of life. His was both and arduous and perilous missionary career, for he had to face opposition from fellow clergy and from armed foes. He seems to have reached a ripe old age. Other missionaries shared in the conversion of Ireland. That island became a centre from which…Christian influence was to radiate not only to Britain but also to much of Western Europe. 

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