Little is known of Patrick's early life, though it is known that he was born in Roman Britain in the fifth century, into a wealthy Romano-British family. His father and grandfather were deacons in the Church. At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken captive to Ireland as a slave.[1] It is believed he was held somewhere on the west coast of Ireland, possibly Mayo, but the exact location is unknown. According to his Confession, he was told by God in a dream to flee from captivity to the coast, where he would board a ship and return to Britain. Upon returning, he quickly joined the Church in Auxerre in Gaul and studied to be a priest.
In 432, he again says that he was called back to Ireland, though as a bishop, to save the Irish, and indeed he was successful at this, focusing on converting royalty and aristocracy as well as the poor. Irish folklore tells that one of his teaching methods included using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) to the Irish people. After nearly thirty years of teaching and spreading God's Word he died on 17 March, 461 AD, and was buried at Downpatrick, so tradition says. Although there were other more successful missions to Ireland from Rome, Patrick endured as the principal champion of Irish Christianity and is held in esteem in the Irish Church.
Here are a few Irish proverbs:
~ Men are like bagpipes- No sound comes from them until they are full
~ The old person is a child twice
~ Get down on your knees and thank God your still on your feet
4 comments:
I like that
"the old person is a child twice" love that quote.
A hug for you darlin' this fine morn'
Happy St. Patrick's Day to you as well.
hmmmmmmmmm that was interesting! :-) sorry i'm late with happy st. paddy's day greetings....company coming from oregon today....busy.busy.busy!!!
love you.
kimberly
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