I was born into an English/Irish family but for some reason it is only today that it has dawned on me that my middle name, Patricia, could have been given to me with St Patrick in mind.
My father always prayed to St Patrick as I think he felt closest to a saint that founded his missionary work in Ireland. We were always given a small bunch of shamrock to pin to our clothes and wear on St Patrick’s day. (Apparently St Patrick used shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity). I don’t see many people doing this where I live and don’t know if this tradition is still followed in many places apart from in Ireland and where you have settled Irish communities.
I like this saint’s particular bravery. He was taken from his comfortable home in Britain and became a slave in Ireland. He managed to escape at great personal risk as if he was caught he could have lost his life. He was able to travel back to his parents and could have led a life of relative luxury as they were quite wealthy. It must have been astonishing for them when he revealed that he wanted to become a priest and return to Ireland ultimately to spread the gospel. He lived in the constant threat of martyrdom but carried on despite this.
I think he bears great witness to the idea that we need to talk about our faith to others and help them come to know the God we believe in and why we do. This may be difficult and we may face ridicule, abuse and possibly the loss of friends or relatives, but we need to carry on in the face of all this.
Happy St Patrick’s Day!
God bless,
Widows Mote 