Saint Patrick and Ireland
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Transcript of Saint Patrick and Ireland
SAINT PATRICK, PATRON OF THE IRISH
385-461 a.d.
Most of what we know about Patrick
comes from his book of
confessions
Tírechán, bishop in Ireland writes - "I found four names for Patrick written in the book of Ultán, bishop of the tribe of Conchobar:
1 - holy Magonus (that is, "famous"); 2 - Succetus (that is, the god of war);
3 - Patricius (that is, father of the citizens); 4 - Cothirtiacus (because he served four houses of druids
Banna venta berniae Ravenglass, Cumbria, UK
Patrick’s birth place is debated
Some say he was born
in Dumbarton on the Clyde
in the year 373 or 385
Or maybe at Glastonbury, Somerset
Maybe in South Wales
His mother, Concessa was
related to Saint Martin of
Tours
His father, Calpurnicus was a Roman magistrate and a Christian Deacon, son of the presbyter
Potitus
At that time Celtic pirates frequently raided the coast and carried off children to be sold as slaves
Patrick was taken and sold
to Milchu, a druid or king
of the Dal Riada
He minded sheep in Slemish, Antrim for six years,
bearing the bad weather and bad treatment.
Patrick dreampt of his family and
home. He hearned the
native Gaelic language and also
found consolation in prayer
He finally escaped, and travelled 200 km to the south, and boarded a boat bound
for France
It’s believed he studied at Lerins,
3 years and then at
Auxerre for 15 years.
He entered the monastery of his uncle Martin, and
later studied under Germanius.
He still dreamed of his time spent in Ireland with the Celtic people.
They seemed to call him to return and teach them the faith.
He went to Rome, and was commissioned by Pope Celestinus
with the mission of preaching the faith to the Irish
In Patrick’s time, Ireland was
divided into 5 kingdoms.
The king of Meath was the High King
over the kings of Ulster, Leinster,
Munster and Connacht.
He landed near the Boyne estuary, the region of the High King Laoire, about the year 432 a.d.
Speaking in their native Gaelic, he was initially successful,
but soon he met with the opposition
of the pagan druids.
When the druids were about to light their May fire, they saw another fire blazing on the Hill of Slane.
Patrick was commemorating the Easter vigil, in honour of Christ’s resurrection.
The king sent for the bishop to be brought to his presence to explain this.
Patrick used a 3 leafed shamrock to explain the doctrine of the trinity
to the High King Laoire. He obtained permission to preach his mission throughout the island.
He travelled extensively on
the island,
preaching the faith
He baptised thousands, including
kings and their daughters
Legend has it that Patrick
banished the snakes from
Ireland.
More probably the snakes are
a symbol of the pagan
culture and sin.
Patrick died at Downpatrick in the year 451 a.d.
The faith planted by Patrick has
flourished especially in the
6th – 7th century.
Ireland became a centre
of Christian learning and the monastic
missions brought the faith to Britain and
the continent.
His legacy remains to this day in the
heart of many Irishmen and women
The Book of Kells
Monasteries founded by irish monks on
the continent
Saint Brendan preparing to set voyage with his monks
Irish priests at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome