St Patrick's Day

At the age of 14 (or 16) Patrick was kidnapped by pirates, taken from his home in southern Britain (or Wales, or Scotland), and sold into slavery in Ireland. During his six years as a slave he converted to Christianity. After having a vision of a boat to take him to safety Patrick fled Ireland. 25 years later he returned, as a missionary, but it must have been tough. He wrote,

“Daily I expect to be murdered or betrayed or reduced to slavery if the occasion arises,”

Which, I suppose, puts things into perspective. According to tradition, St Patrick baptised 120,000 believers and built over 300 churches in Ireland. He served and worked among the people for 30 years before he died on March 17, 461, and was buried in Ireland.

There are several accounts of St Patrick’s death. One says that Patrick died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland. His jawbone was preserved in a silver shrine and was often requested in times of childbirth, epileptic fits, and as a preservative against the “evil eye.” Can't see that happening today at the local primary care trust. Another account says that St. Patrick ended his days at Glastonbury, England.

So we know loads about St Patrick and some of it might be true.

We used this prayer attributed to Patrick in school, the full version is long, but you get the idea,

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Dodgy pic today, sorry, house-bound & flu-ridden.