Remembering St. Patrick

Parades, parties, Hibernian feasts, festivities, roastings, songs, green beer, greeting cards and general mirth surround the commemoration of St. Patrick, the one time slave and later priest and bishop, responsible for the conversion of Ireland over a 30 period, whose Irish monk/missionaries helped to spread the Faith in Europe.  Irish immigrants helped build the Church in the United States and Australia.  Many of us, whether Irish or not, owe a debt of gratitude for his powerful witness, preaching and evangelizing. Chosen by God for a mission larger than he foresaw, he listened to
God speaking in his heart, and followed through with indefatigable energy and zeal, destroying idols, winning souls for Jesus, and building churches and monasteries.  He is another example of how God chooses the lowly and forsaken, yes even "slaves" to do his work.
St. Patrick, apostle of Ireland, you were kidnapped as a youth and sold as a slave, but discovered the living God in the depths of solitude and prayer. After escaping home, God called you to return to the land of your imprisonment as a missionary, and you converted the entire nation to faith in our Lord. In the trials of life, help us to cast ourselves into the hands of the Almighty, as you did. May we find in these hardships an opportunity to discover the God of life at work in our experience—sustaining us, calling us home, and sending us out again to serve others. Pray for us, that we might proclaim this faith with your fearlessness. Amen.
Bro. Rene