Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
St Patrick was born in Britain in the 4th century
AD. It is believed that as a young man,
Patrick was kidnapped and taken into slavery to Ireland. He claimed that his escape from Ireland and
his eventual return to Britain was based upon God’s instructions, given to him
in a dream. After his return to Britain,
he began to study for the Catholic priesthood.
Later in life, as a Catholic bishop, Patrick said that he
was called to return to Ireland to win over the
Irish who held a belief in many Gods.
It is believed that he used the shamrock to illustrate the doctrine of
the trinity.
Although originally being associated with the color blue,
gradually green became the representative color for St Patrick’s Day. It is believed the color green has been
associated with the celebration due to the color of the shamrock and the green
vegetation found in Ireland. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick’s_Day
The symbolic use of the color green is not limited to the
St Patrick’s Day holiday. In the Bible
the color green is often associated with a state of blessing from Almighty God.
Do your know that St. Patrick was a missionary?
Saint Patrick was the first Christian missionary to Ireland.
Who was Saint Patrick?
"Saint" Patrick (389 - 461 AD) actually went to
Ireland twice - first as a slave, and later as a missionary. Born in Britain,
Patrick is widely known as the first Christian missionary to the Irish people.
During his youth (from 16 to 22 years old), he was captured and taken to
Ireland. While there, young Patrick repented of his sinful, backslidden
condition. Years later, after escaping to his homeland, he received a vision
from God calling him to return to the Irish people to proclaim the Gospel of
Christ. Patrick obeyed God's call and went back.
For the remainder of his life, Patrick ministered among
the unreached tribes of Ireland - confronting Irish idolatry and sorcery,
converting many to Jesus Christ, and baptizing thousands of people. Tradition
says he used the three-leaf Irish clover to teach the unity of the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit.
According to historian William Federer, who wrote St.
Patrick: The Real History of His Life, From Tragedy to Triumph, "He was
actually a missionary and he converted 120,000 druids from paganism to
Christianity." Federer claims that in the fifth century A.D., Patrick did
more than perhaps anyone in history to spread Christianity in Europe. Although
druids attempted to kill him over a dozen times, Patrick continued to preach
the message of Jesus Christ, and throughout his ministry he pioneered over 300
Christian churches.
Dear Lord, we pray today for peace throughout Ireland and
Europe. We pray for the true message of God's salvation will spread throughout the
world. We pray for missionaries like Saint Patrick who are sharing the Gospel. In
Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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