Why I Love St. Patrick

When I was a kid, I remember the panic that came over me the few times I forgot to wear green on St. Patrick's Day. It was necessary to devise a plan in your mind about how you were going to fight off all of the attackers all day long.

When you think of St. Patrick's Day, you probably think about wearing green, drinking green drinks, and pinching the fire out of anyone who isn't wearing green. Believe it or not, there is much more to St. Patrick!

A few days ago, when I was driving, I saw a guy who was wearing a green shirt that said, "St. Patrick was a saint. I ain't." (The theology and definition of what the word "saint" means is outside the scope of this article. However, I take the typical Protestant view that all believers in Jesus are saints.)

I thought, "How sad. St. Patrick's message was not about how great he was while the rest of us don't measure up." Instead, it was about the good news of the grace of Jesus. Clearly, there is some confusion over St. Patrick. So, who was he?

Who was St. Patrick?

Unfortunately, there are many legends which have arisen regarding St. Patrick, but the real story is stunning. The gospel had reached the British area as early as the second century; surprisingly, the Christian faith was widespread among the British people this early (at the time it was under Roman occupation).[1]

In that cultural context, Patrick was born in the year A.D. 389 into a Christian family. However, at the age of sixteen, he was captured and sold as a slave in Ireland. Not only was this difficult for him, but it also caused problems later for Patrick since it disrupted his education. Thankfully, he escaped six years later, and he was able to return home.

But, he had a dream where he discerned that the Lord was calling him to go back to Ireland (his land of captivity) in order to preach the gospel. In A.D. 432, he returned as a missionary (which was one year after another missionary named Palladius attempted it). Patrick traveled throughout Ireland and preached the gospel, which led to many conversions.

In his writings, it is evident that St. Patrick had a wonderful blend of both humility and courage. He is honest about his lack of education (which was interrupted by slavery). Nevertheless, the Lord used him powerfully. (As an interesting note, the powerful breastplate of St. Patrick was likely not written by him, but instead it was probably produced much later.) Patrick died around A.D. 461.

So, why do I love St. Patrick?

He was humble and courageous. He didn't let obstacles stop him (even very large ones like being taken captive to another land!). He was obedient to God. He didn't allow terrible things (injustice) to make him bitter. Instead, he pressed on. He was faithful. He trusted God. He loved his neighbors (even his enemies). And he shared the good news of Jesus.

I don't know what's happening in your life right now. But, like Patrick, you and I can approach life with humility and courage. As we encounter difficulties, we don't have to let them stop us. We can be obedient to God. We don't have to let challenging life events make us bitter. Instead, we can press on with faithfulness. We can trust God. We can love our neighbors (even our enemies). We can share the good news of Jesus and watch the Spirit transform lives.

Patrick was a saint. And, if you're a Christian, you are too. He was a sinner and a simple man who trusted God and was faithful. You and I are sinners and we may be simple, but we can trust God and be faithful too.

End Notes:

[1] This entire section is adapted from Caroline T. Marshall, "Patrick: Missionary to the Irish," Great Leaders of the Christian Church, ed. John D. Woodbridge (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1988), 95-98.