Who is St. Patrick?
Isn’t he an Irish priest?
Or is he a leprechaun?
Is he a legend or a real person?
Did he drive all the snakes out of Ireland?
St. Patrick is an English missionary and Apostle to the nation of Ireland. Captured by Irish pirates as a young boy, St. Patrick is a Christian hero that your children should meet.
In a day when most of our “super-heroes” and icons lack integrity, it is good to learn about a true hero, brave in every situation.
Kidnapping & Conversion
Patrick was born in England during Roman Times.
Though his father was a priest in the Celtic Church, Patrick spent his time
partying in the Roman colony seaside village. Patrick did not want to serve God
like his parents did. It took a disaster to bring him to the Lord.
One day, Irish pirates stormed Patrick’s seaside village,
killing many of the inhabitants. At the young age of fourteen, he was
kidnapped, taken as a slave to Ireland, and forced to work as a shepherd.
Ireland was a land of pagans and Druids who worshiped idols. Patrick was very
homesick.
During his captivity, he remembered his parent’s faith in God
and surrendered his life to Jesus as Lord and Savior. He grew closer to the
Lord during these years and did his best to be a shining light for His Messiah.
My children are inspired by how he turned to God instead of wallowing in self-pity. I am reminded that what we sow into our children’s hearts will always be there.
Escape
One night, God spoke to Patrick in a dream to go to the coast so he could leave Ireland. Patrick waited on the Lord for the right timing. Finally, an opportunity came for Patrick to make his escape. Making his way to a port city, he boarded a ship bound for freedom. Sailors, who took pity on him, smuggled him aboard a ship sailing for England. To his great joy, Patrick was reunited with his family.
Called To The Irish
Happy to be home, Patrick had another dream. In
this dream, the people of Ireland were begging him to come back to Ireland. His
heart was moved with compassion for those poor Irishmen and women who would die
in their sins. A burden to share the Gospel with the Irish began to beat in his
heart.
Now his training for the priesthood and his call as a
missionary to Ireland began. Patrick spent almost twenty years in preparation.
Patrick was treated terribly by the Irish, yet he had compassion on them and wanted them to know Jesus. What an inspiration! Also, he didn’t rush back. He waited, prayed, and received training before he headed back to the land of his captivity.
Ministry In Ireland
Patrick arrived in Ireland as a priest of Jesus
Christ, making it his ambition to convert the entire island to Christianity.
St. Patrick moved in incredible signs and wonders. There were several
“power encounters” with druid priests. God always won! Many
chieftains and their families were converted to Christianity, abandoning their
idols to serve the True and Living God.
The first power encounter Patrick had was in Tara, where many
kings, chiefs, and Druid priests were celebrating Beltine, a pagan festival.
This evil celebration happened to coincide with Easter that year, so Patrick
resolutely decided to take a stand. While the pagans celebrated inside a
castle, Patrick set up camp to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus in full view
of the castle.
There was a law of the land that on the eve of the festival,
the high king would light a giant bonfire FIRST. If anyone dared to light a
bonfire before the high king lit his, that person would be put to death.
Patrick boldly lit his own bonfire first.
Outraged, the high king summoned Patrick. The king’s
companions, Druid priests began to mock the Christian faith with dirty language
and vicious threats. A holy boldness came over Patrick, who confronted the
priests fearlessly with God’s Word. The first priest was hurled into the air
and smashed to the ground by an “unseen force.”
The king was furious and yelled, “Seize him!”
“Let God arise and His enemies be scattered,”
Patrick quoted Scripture again.
In response to his cry, darkness fell, the ground shook, and
confusion reigned. Soldiers of the king began to attack one another, while
frightened horses smashed chariots to get away. The terrified king knelt down
and surrendered his life to Christ.
Patrick lived true to his vow of poverty and traveled
throughout the island for forty years of productive ministry. Many of his
disciples became famous theologians and enjoyed fruitful labor in the Kingdom
of God.
He used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, which is why it
is associated with St. Patrick’s Day. Humble and godly, St. Patrick changed the
course of an entire nation. Today, the whole world celebrates this apostle to
the Emerald Isle.
His entire ministry was an inspiration. From his bold faith to his gentle humility, he is a true hero in every sense of the word!
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day
Would you like to celebrate this hero of the faith on St. Patrick’s Day? You can find some fun ways to learn more about St. Patrick and celebrate in our blog, 12 Fun Ways to Learn about Patrick and Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Resources
Have fun introducing your children to a true Christian hero!
Until next time, Happy Homeschooling!
Warmly,
Meredith Curtis
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