2008 Woodie Awards
St. Patrick
Wonderworker and Apostle to Ireland
Chris Sparks
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Faith
In the month of March, usually right smack in the middle of Lent, a certain Irish saint's day is celebrated. Renowned for his miracles and the immense feat of converting Ireland, St. Patrick is one of the favorite saints of the Catholic faithful-not just for the wonderful excuse his feast offers to celebrate in the middle of Lent, but also because of the awesome stories that surround him.
St. Patrick was born to a Roman official, Calpurnius (also a deacon), and his wife Conchessa, in 389 in Scotland. He grew up in the Faith, but didn't pay much attention to it until he was taken captive by Irish slavers at age 16. He spent the next six years captive in terrible conditions and tending sheep. He prayed often, achieving a high level of sanctity, and resolved to dedicate his life to the service of God. At the end of the six years, he made a miraculous escape from his master at the prompting of an angel. In spite of his former enslavement, he returned to Ireland years later, after dreaming that the people of Ireland were begging him to come and bring them the gift of the Faith.
Many awesome tales are told of him. There's the ever-famous one in which he drives all the snakes out of Ireland, as well as the one where he uses a shamrock to explain the doctrine of the Trinity. In fact, if you look at St. Patrick's stained glass window in the Student Chapel, you'll see him holding a shamrock in one hand.
My favorite tale of St. Patrick-a tale of incredible glory and titanic struggle-involves his challenge to the druids in Ireland. He was on his way to see Leoghaire, the Ard-Righ or High King of Ireland, at his castle Tara. The High King and the druids, the bards, the kings and warriors of his realm had gathered together to perform the spring rites of lighting the sacred fire. No other fire was permitted in all of Ireland until the King's fire had been lit. But St. Patrick, stopping on a hill across the valley from Tara on that Easter eve, lit the Easter fire, and stood his ground, praying:
St. Patrick was born to a Roman official, Calpurnius (also a deacon), and his wife Conchessa, in 389 in Scotland. He grew up in the Faith, but didn't pay much attention to it until he was taken captive by Irish slavers at age 16. He spent the next six years captive in terrible conditions and tending sheep. He prayed often, achieving a high level of sanctity, and resolved to dedicate his life to the service of God. At the end of the six years, he made a miraculous escape from his master at the prompting of an angel. In spite of his former enslavement, he returned to Ireland years later, after dreaming that the people of Ireland were begging him to come and bring them the gift of the Faith.
Many awesome tales are told of him. There's the ever-famous one in which he drives all the snakes out of Ireland, as well as the one where he uses a shamrock to explain the doctrine of the Trinity. In fact, if you look at St. Patrick's stained glass window in the Student Chapel, you'll see him holding a shamrock in one hand.
My favorite tale of St. Patrick-a tale of incredible glory and titanic struggle-involves his challenge to the druids in Ireland. He was on his way to see Leoghaire, the Ard-Righ or High King of Ireland, at his castle Tara. The High King and the druids, the bards, the kings and warriors of his realm had gathered together to perform the spring rites of lighting the sacred fire. No other fire was permitted in all of Ireland until the King's fire had been lit. But St. Patrick, stopping on a hill across the valley from Tara on that Easter eve, lit the Easter fire, and stood his ground, praying:
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