ST. PATRICK

How much do you know about St. Patrick? Did you know that he was not born in Ireland? He was born a Romano-British citizen in the 5th century and so much of what is said about Patrick is a legend. It is said that Patrick was kidnapped by Irish pirates when he was 16 years-old and brought to Ireland and forced to be a shepherd. He eventually escaped but returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary and eventually to be a Bishop. He is known as the Apostle of Ireland and Ireland’s main patron. He was not formally canonized a saint in the Catholic Church because that process had not existed at the time. Legend has it that in trying to explain the Holy Trinity, Patrick used the shamrock as a symbol of “three persons in One God.” Patrick is supposed to have banished snakes from Ireland. The Irish celebrate St. Patrick on March 17 and those who live here in Canada celebrate by wearing and decorating in green, drinking green beer and hosting parties in his honour.

The Breastplate of Patrick is a traditional prayer attributed to St. Patrick. Let us pray:

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 everyone 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. Amen.

Pat Carter, CSJ is a disciple, a teacher and an advocate for the poor. She has been a Sister of St. Joseph for more than half of her life and loves to use words to inspire faith and laughter. She is a cantor at her parish of St. Jerome’s in Sault Ste. Marie.