Yesterday I went with a group from Friendship House to Downpatrick where we visited the Saint Patrick Centre and the Down Cathedral where St. Patrick is buried. While I was there I learned a lot about his life. So I am going to tell you about what I learned.
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| Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick |
Patrick was born somewhere in Great Britain, so he was British not Irish. At age 16 he was captured by pirates and taken as a slave to Ireland. He was enslaved for 6 years then he escaped. Later in his life he became a priest and then a bishop. After that he decided to become a missionary and return to Ireland. While he didn't bring Christianity to Ireland, as a missionary he played a major part in converting the Irish into Christians. He is the patron saint of Ireland. He also didn't drive the snakes out of Ireland, that's just a myth. He supposedly died on the 17th of March, which is the day we celebrate his life. What we know about his life comes mostly from his writings; however, much of his life is still unknown. (Saint Patrick Centre) (BBC website)
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| Me at St. Patrick's Grave |
My trip was brilliant! It was a lovely town and I learned so much. It's really cool to think about Patrick and his life. I can't even imagine being captured, put into slavery and then escape just to have God call you back to save the very people who enslaved you. That takes a great deal of forgiveness and compassion. To have to trust God and follow his call no matter where it leads is a task that many people, including myself, still struggle with today. But when we follow God's call He can lead us to do great things. If Patrick hadn't listened to God history would be completely different. We probably wouldn't celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
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