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Saint Patrick
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Patrick is the great Apostle of Ireland.
His Feast Day is March 17th. He was likely
kidnapped from Britain around the age of 16 and enslaved
in Ireland. He was sent to the mountains as a
shepherd and spent much time in prayer. He had a
dream in which he was told that he should return to
Britain. He escaped from his slavery and did so.
He studied in monasteries and became a priest, then a
bishop. He was sent by Pope Saint Celestine to
evangelize England. He had more dreams of the
Irish people calling to him to be with them and to help
them. He returned to Ireland. In 33 years he
had largely converted Ireland to the Faith.
The name Patrick comes from the Latin "Patricius" meaning
noble. Saint Patrick was born between 387-390 in
Scotland and was named Maewyn Succat. He died
between 461-464 at Saul, County Down, Ireland.
Patronage: against snakes,
Archdiocese of Boston, Massachusetts, Diocese of
Burlington Vermont,
engineers,
excluded people,
fear of snakes, Diocese of
Fort Worth, Texas, Diocese of
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,
Ireland, Archdiocese of
New York,
Nigeria, Diiocese of
Norwich, Connecticut, Diocese of
Portland, Maine, Diocese of
Sacramento, California ... and of course,
patron of those named Patrick.
I had the privilege to lead a pilgrimage to Ireland
in October of 2004.
Click here for photos
from the Pilgrimage. |
Father Pat and Sister
Joselda in Ireland in October 2004
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Click here for more
photos!
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