Patrick's story

Recently, I've been intrigued by Celtic Christianity. I think there's much that is relevant to ministry in a postmodern world. Consider this an invitation to join the exploration. I'll post other blogs from time to time that relate to this subject.

St. Patrick is generally regarded as the one who brought Christianity to Ireland. Following is what I have come to understand of his story. I'll email you references if you want.

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The sound of shrieks filled the air. Mothers, aroused from their slumber in the early morning hours, searched frantically for their children. Desperate men took up arms to defend themselves from the attacking Irish barbarians.

The band of marauders on or about AD 405 was looking to make slaves of English young people. Among the kidnapped on that particular raid was Magnus Sucatus Patricius, the son of a wealthy landowner – and years later to become Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Patrick, then 16 years old, was sold as a slave to Miliuce of Slemish, who put his newest acquisition to work slopping pigs.

Patrick, from all accounts, had opportunity as a slave to reflect on his life and his beliefs, or lack of them. His father served as a deacon in the Christian church and his grandfather had been a presbyter. For all the godly influence in his family, however, Patrick was not convinced. But in his slavery, Patrick experienced a spiritual freedom that transformed his life. In his “Confession” Patrick wrote, “I was sixteen and knew not the true God, but in a strange land the Lord opened my unbelieving eyes and I was converted.” His slavery took on new meaning as, grateful for his salvation, he imagined himself a slave of Christ.

A late-night vision brought Patrick’s time in slavery to an abrupt halt. In a dream, he saw a ship leaving Ireland and was told it would return him safely home. He escaped from his captor and, finding the ship he had seen in his mind’s eye, was granted safe passage. He was welcomed home in England, six years after the kidnapping, as one back from the dead.
Details about Patrick’s life for the next decade or two are sketchy. It is thought he spent some time in France, perhaps studying theology. But what is clear is also of profound historical and spiritual significance: Patrick the former slave returned to Ireland as Patrick the missionary. His return was transformational for Ireland, and, as some would say, pivotal for the history of western civilization.

Initially he did not want to go. Not surprisingly, his family thought he was mad. Terrifying stories were told about the Druids, who were known to weave criminals and runaway slaves into giant wicker baskets and suspend them over a fire to roast alive. But Patrick was again moved by a vision, this time from the Irish themselves: “Come over, holy boy, and walk with us once more.” Patrick could not shake the conviction that God had called him “to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth beyond which no man lives.”

Patrick’s return to Ireland is the stuff of legends. Everywhere he preached, the Irish repented. Thousands upon thousands responded to the Gospel. Dramatic stories are told of power encounters with Druid priests, including Patrick’s attempt to convert the tribal chieftain from whom he had escaped. Legend has it that Miliuce sealed himself within his own house and lit it on fire, shouting curses and invocations to the gods over Patrick’s pleadings as he burned himself to death.

Patrick may or may not have used clover to explain the Trinity or chased the snakes into the sea, but his influence on Irish religious beliefs was unmistakable. The Irish, in mass conversion, responded in faith to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Celtic Christianity was born.