Patrick of Ireland: Presentation with video

Trinity Cathedral, August 4th, 2005
The Rev. Canon Grant S. Carey

My name is Patrick. It seems as if everyone knows something about me. My day is celebrated in many places with parades and bands, and the wearing of the green - - and people drink beer and wear shamrocks. And I think all that is rather ridiculous in terms of what my life actually was. Never did I believe that people would even remember my name after my lifetime, for I was a simple man and considered myself a slave of Christ.

In case you haven't read the history of the British people, let me fill you in on a few facts. By the end of the First Century, Christianity was introduced into the British Isles and soon took root in southern part of the Island, withstanding the Roman persecution of the first three centuries only because of the fact that Britain was so remote from all that was going on in Rome.

Christianity was accepted among some of the Roman legions stationed here, and so by the fall of the Roman Empire, Britain (or at least those parts inhabited by the Roman legions) was largely Christian, though some of the old religion remained. Constantine had made Christianity the official religion of the Empire.

I was born in the year of our Lord 390 and was raised in a Christian home. We lived on the West Coast of Britain. My father was a deacon of the church and my grandfather a priest - - but I was a strong willed and rebellious child quite sure that I knew all the answers. In my teen years, I was prone to mischief and disobedience, and I took for granted my fine home, loving parents, and household slaves who took care of my every need.

I had schooling at home - - and I was taught Latin because that was the language of Rome. Besides language and literature, my parents insisted that I have a grounding in the Christian faith - - but I ignored the commandments and confess to committing a serious sin which only my best and trusted friend knew about. So what happened to me just before my sixteenth birthday, I always felt I justly deserved.

Because I was where I shouldn't have been, I was taken away captive by Irish slave traders and carried to a remote part of Ireland. There they sold me and I was forced to become a shepherd. It was a sad and lonely existence, especially for a boy. I was out in all weather looking after my flock. During those long and lonely years I learned the meaning of prayer; I remembered what had been taught my by my parents and grandfather, and in one day, I would say as many as a hundred prayers - - and as many at night."

Then, one night, in my sleep, I heard a voice that said: "You will soon return to your own country" and again "Your ship is ready."

On spite of the danger - - for I would be killed if caught, I ran away and eventually found my way to the port, 200 miles away. And there was a ship. But when I asked for passage, the captain shouted: "No way will we take him with us." So I went away and prayed, and soon the captain changed his mind and I was on my way back home.

In three days we reached the coast of Britain, and after 28 days of walking - - and without much to eat, I finally reached home again.

And what a reunion. The prodigal had returned from the dead.

My parents begged me not to leave again - - but once again I had dream.

A man stood before me with a letter which read: "The cry of the Irish..." and as I read it I heard a voice crying out: "Holy boy, we are asking you to come and walk among us." I was struck to the heart. And after several years, the Lord granted to them according to their cry."

As I later reflected on my life I wrote these words: "I was like a stone lying in the deep mud. Then he who is mighty came and in his mercy he not only pulled me out but also lifted me up and placed me at the very top of the wall. I must therefore speak publicly in order to thank the Lord for such wonderful gifts." (Confessions)

The transformation I experienced was God's doing, not my own because otherwise I would have remained like a stone in the deep mud had not God pulled me out and lifted me up.

My goal in life became clear - - I must not hate those who had enslaved me, but love them and to bring them the light of truth.

And so I dedicated my life to God, studying Holy Scripture and doctrine, and, in due time, I was ordained a priest, and because my intention was to return to Ireland - - where there was no church - - it was deemed expedient that I be also consecrated a bishop . . . and so was I sent forth to a land where the Gospel had never before been proclaimed.

No longer a slave to men, I knew myself a slave to God.

My life was utterly dedicated to him and to making him known to the people who had once been my masters. I was able to teach and preach in their own language though, because of Roman traders, some knew Latin. So I was able to speak to the common folk as well as to the kings. And wonder of wonders, I was not only listened to, but accepted at times when I feared martyrdom. Soon there were conversions, baptisms and even ordinations - - but of greatest importance, ": the gospel was preached to those places beyond which nobody lives."

In spite of my understanding of Irish culture (such as it was), I remained a British Christian. I taught British Christianity and the Rule of Faith that we held in the British church - - and yet, a truly authentic Irish church emerged - - so strong that it was destined to provide hope during the dark ages which enveloped Europe from the fifth century on.

Now, I would never call myself a "learned" man; my faith was simple. I trusted in God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, assured that God would provide for all my needs. I lived for God and was prepared to die for God. I knew the Bible well and drew on its teachings in both what I preached and what little I wrote.

What I had become was not of my own doing, but of God. With out his Presence, I would have remained "like a stone in deep mud..." But Christ is the cornerstone, and we who believe become part of the building of the Lord's temple.

Therefore, at the center of my teaching was my belief in God expressed in three Persons. Today people say that in my teaching I used the shamrock as an example; - - true or not - - so be it! But what I did was to help others to understand God as:

"The Three who are over me The three who are below me The Three who are in front of me The three who are behind me"

One of the great moments in my ministry came when I confronted the High King Loegaire ("Lay-re."). There was a great pagan festival held at Tara, which took place the same time as Easter. I lit a great fire on the hill - - the paschal fire - - which showed in the dark for miles around.

The great king was furious since he had instructed his men to light a fire in celebration of the pagan god he worshipped - - and so I was to be hunted down and put to death! Instead I confronted the great high king who came forth to kill me, and his heart was changed. In due time, he accepted the faith of Christ as his own - - and that of his kingdom.

Later I wrote in my Confessions (33): "I ought not to hide the gifts of God, which he has lavished upon us in the land of our captivity because I sought him resolutely and there I found him, and he preserved me from all forms of wickedness because of his indwelling spirit..."

I will speak no more of my life and work.

We are now in a century and a time beyond my wildest dreams, when we may see projected before us the story of my life and times.

I want only to say this: I am Patrick, a simple child of God. I accepted God's call to leave home and family. I suffered dangers and trials. I knew what it was to be betrayed and I had to defend my ministry and my good name against false accusations. Like Paul before me, I experienced times of loneliness and despair.

But I found through all my trials and tribulation the strength to always move forward - - even when I wanted to stand still!

And unworthy as I was, I always knew that God delighted in me. And that was enough! My best friend betrayed my trust and so I had to defend myself and my ministry against false accusations. I knew times of loneliness and despair. But I found in all my trials and tribulations, the strength to move forward. And unworthy as I was, I knew that God delighted in me, and that was enough. ... And so I wrote these words:

"We should exalt and glorify God's Name.... Wherever we happen to be ... Not only when things go well but also in troubles... Giving thanks because God is trustworthy."