Patrick was born in England during the final years of Roman rule in Britain. He was the son of a deacon and grandson of a priest, but as a young man he did not take his own faith seriously. At 16, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold into slavery in pagan Ireland. During six years of slavery, Patrick came to believe in Jesus Christ as his only hope. He repented, converted, and grew in his faith while in captivity. In his early 20’s, Patrick heard a voice telling him that the time had come to flee his slave master and journey to the coast, where a ship would be waiting for him. The ship was waiting, just as Patrick had been told, and he undertook a harrowing journey back to his native England. He studied the faith in England and in Europe and was ordained a priest. One day, Patrick received a vision in which a multitude of Irish people called to him with one voice, “We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us.” Patrick returned to the people who had once enslaved him, serving as a missionary. He faced danger from hostile pagans, contending with powerful kings and druids. With patience and courage, Patrick baptized and shepherded thousands through his committed ministry. // Prints available at www.ourchurchspeaks.com.
Almighty and everlasting God, you called your servant Patrick to preach the Gospel to the Irish people: Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Art & bio by Ben Lansing - Get the book 📖 , listen to the podcast 🎙️ , buy a print 🖼️ , support the artist 🫶, and more at ourchurchspeaks.com
#saintpatricksday #saintpatrick#ourchurchspeaks#churchhistory #ireland#irish #patrick #catholic #orthodox#anglican#bookofcommonprayer #saint