Saint Patrick: Following the Calling

Being born on March 17, it has become important for me to understand the man called, Saint Patrick.  The film St. Patrick: Irish Legend (2000) is an excellent rendition of Patrick’s life, because many of the miraculous accounts are based upon Patrick’s own writings.

Partick was born in the 4th century possibly in Kilpatrick, Scotland.  His parents were Calpurinus and Conchessa, who were high ranking Romans in charge of the colonies living in Britain.

As a boy of 14 to 16, he was captured during a raiding party by Irish marauders and taken to Ireland, being sold as a slave to tend sheep.  Ireland at this time was a land of druids and pagans.  In the county of Antrim Patrick was sold to Milchu, whom historians believe was a druidical high priest.  Patrick served as a slave for 6 years near the modern town of Ballymena, but he also learned the language, culture, and beliefs of the Irish people.

During his captivity Patrick turned to God in prayer.  He wrote:

“and His fear increased in me more and more, and the faith grew in me, and the spirit was roused, so that in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers, and in the night nearly the same.”

So, in captivity, Patrick became a man of prayer.  In the sixth year of his captivity Patrick had a vision where he heard the voice of God telling him that it was time to leave Ireland by going to the coast.  Traveling about 200 miles, probably towards Killala Bay and onwards to Westport, Patrick   found a ship, where after some rebuffs, he was allowed to board and sail back to Britain.

After reuniting with his family, Patrick had another vision, where Patrick states…

“I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland.  His name was Victoicus, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of them.  I read the heading: ‘the voice of the Irish.’”  Being “deeply moved,” Patrick says he heard the voice of the people of Ireland crying: “We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us.”

So, God gave Patrick a vision and a calling to return as a missionary to the very people who had taken him captive and enslaved him.

After 15 years of training, St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, under whom Patrick had studied for years, ordained Patrick and appointed him as bishop, commissioning Patrick to take the Gospel to Ireland.  Patrick’s plan was to use the Celtic language to preach the Gospel, incorporate the traditions of the people into lessons on Christianity, and with Patrick’s familiarity with the details of druidism, God destined Patrick to liberate the Irish race from the bondage of this pagan worship.  Because of his six years of captivity, Patrick was tailor-made by God to be a missionary to Ireland.

Patrick arrived in Ireland March 25, 433 A.D., at a location called Slane.  Upon his arrival, it is stated Patrick was confronted by Dichu, who was a chieftain of one of the tribes.  Dichu tried to kill Patrick, but God moved on Patrick’s behalf and Dichu became unable to move his arm …until he became friendly to Patrick.  Patrick converted Dichu to Christianity.

In another account an Irish king who received Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior, refused to allow Patrick to preach in the region unless a druid rock idol was destroyed.  This rock idol was used for human sacrifices.  Approaching the idol, Patrick was taken captive by druid priests who demanded that Patrick’s associates bring a human sacrifice, otherwise Patrick would be killed in three days.  Patrick prayed.  Suddenly, all of the druid priest began to get sick.  They developed a fever.  Boils appeared.  One of the druid high priests came to Patrick and asked how to be rid of this plague.  Patrick told him to destroy the rock idol.  The druid priest said, “Never!”, and the priest fell over dead.  At this point the rest of the druid priests decided to destroy the idol …and they did.  Patrick was now free to preach over the entire region.

These miracles and many others occurred, because Patrick was a man following the calling of God on his life.   Patrick’s calling required the anointing of God, and the anointing brought the miracle-working power of God.

The teachings and miracles resulted in Patrick baptizing hundreds of thousands of former pagans, converting kings, princes, and princesses.  Additionally, Patrick consecrated 350 bishops, erected 700 churches, and ordained 5,000 priest all in less than 30 years.  One writer wrote, “It is hard, indeed impossible, to comprehend such a vast and enduring transformation without the visible support of God through great works and wonders.”

Patrick died March 17.  An ancient writing from 553 A.D., called The Annals of Ulster, states that in 493 A.D.…

“Patrick, arch-apostle, or archbishop and apostle of the Irish, rested …in the 120th year of his age, in the 60th year after he had come to Ireland to baptize the Irish.”

This ancient writing indicates that Patrick lived out his 120 years, as God promises is possible in Genesis 6 and verse 3.

Rome collapsed at the end of the 4th century, thrusting Western Civilization into the Dark Ages.  Ireland, being on fire for the Gospel, preserved the pure and unadulterated Word of God, as well as much of the history and literature of Western Civilization.  When the time came for Western Civilization to come out of the Dark Ages, you will find that the spark of light leading the way was more often than not—an Irish missionary.

Traditionally, the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day is supposed to be for spiritual renewal and offering of prayers for missionaries worldwide.