WHO WAS SAINT PATRICK?

An Article Written by Dr. Neil Chadwick



His real name was Maewyn Succa. At age 16, he was captured and sold as a slave of an Irish farmer. After six years working as a shepherd, one cold night Patrick heard a voice saying, "soon you will go to your own country". A short time later the voice spoke again, "Look, your ship is ready", and he was guided 200 miles to the south where he boarded a cargo ship.

After landing in Gaul, Patrick and the boat's crew wandered for many days. When all their food ran out, the captain said, "Tell me, Christian: you say that your God is great and all-powerful; why, then, do you not pray for us?"

Patrick's answer was confident: "Be truly converted with all your heart to the Lord my God, because nothing is impossible for Him. This day He will send you food until you are satisfied; for He has abundance everywhere." Suddenly a herd of pigs appeared on the road, and the men soon fully recovered their strength. From that day on they had plenty of food.

Later while still in Gaul, Patrick had another vision in which he saw an Irish man, Victoricus, approach him with a stack of letters. One of these letters was given to Patrick. As he read it, he could hear, as it were, the voice of the Irish, "We ask thee, boy, come and walk among us once more."

After preparing himself by learning from the ministers and bishops in Gaul, and being ordained a bishop, the 60 year old Patrick set out to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Ireland.

At this time the people of Ireland were under the influence of the Druids; they worshipped idols and the Devil. Patrick was imprisoned for months at a time. But finally, tiny kingdoms, one after another allowed him to declare the Good News of Jesus within their borders.

It is said that Patrick had an unusually winning personality. He made converts among the royal families and baptized tens of thousands of people. All over Ireland hundreds of chapels were built for the worship of Jesus Christ.

Because of his deep faith in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Patrick made this doctrine a center piece of his instruction. To help explain the mystery of the "Trinity" he used the simple 3 leaf shamrock to illustrate the 3 persons in one God.

Although not noted as a man of learning, before he died in 471, St. Patrick wrote his "Confession". By that time he had created an established church throughout the country. His converts represented all social classes, from Princes to slaves. Many of the young people converted under his preaching had become pastors and deacons in his churches.

On St. Patrick's Day we honor the faithfulness of a great Christian missionary, knowing that the message he preached in Ireland has not changed. Today, will you make your own personal decision to become a Christian? A simple prayer is all that's needed:

Dear God, I realize that I am a sinner. I believe you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be crucified on the Cross so my sins could be forgiven. I accept that forgiveness, and by faith know that at the end of this life, I will live forever in heaven. Amen.

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