Did you know? Saint Patrick is a highly celebrated figure in Ireland, even in modern society. The Irish pay tribute to him every year, not only for evangelizing Ireland in the 5th century, but also for the many miracles he performed in the country.
These stories remind us of the ways in which the Saint transformed the country, spreading Christian values and encouraging the use of the Gaelic language.
In fact, the stories he tells are so inspiring that they’re still being passed on to younger generations!
Let’s take a look back at the facts attributed to him, to better understand why the Saint is such a key figure in Ireland.
The Muiredach cross – Felipe Garcia – cc
Many people believe that Saint Patrick’s main role in Ireland was to convert people to Christianity; however, he also performed other miracles during his mission to spread the Christian faith on the island.
Starting with his escape at the age of 16!
It all began when he was living in Scotland or Wales as a teenager. He was then kidnapped by Irish raiders who took him by force to the island of Ireland.
He was then enslaved for over 6 years, condemned to work as a shepherd. At the time, he was living in total poverty, fighting for his survival, struggling to feed himself, facing hunger, cold and disease.
His only refuge was faith, and he prayed to God every day to save him.
One night, he experienced a mystical phenomenon. A divine voice appeared to him, telling him that he could find a ship in a port less than 330km from where he was. The boat could then take him home.
Transcended by this revelation, the Saint then managed to plan his escape. He left his captors to flee to the Irish coast and reach the famous ship. There he found a captain who initially refused to take him on board.
But the Saint prayed so loudly that the captain almost immediately changed his mind!
Enough to allow St Patrick to return home… before God asked him to return to Ireland to evangelize the country!
Statue of Saint Patrick, Croagh Patrick – © Frankix
This is undoubtedly Saint Patrick’s best-known miracle. The latter is said to have “cast out the serpents of Ireland”, a parable of evil and pagans. Many historians see these snakes as a metaphor for the pre-Christian druids that Saint Patrick is said to have chased away when he brought the Christian religion to Ireland.
The legend has its origins in Jocelyn of Furness, a 12th-century British monk who is said to have recounted the life of the saint. It tells of poisonous snakes attacking St Patrick as he undertook a 40-day fast on the summit of Croagh Patrick mountain.
Saint Patrick is said to have undertaken a veritable snake-hunt during his fast, contributing to the total eradication of these animals on the island of Ireland. According to legend, they have never returned since.
This legend is still very much alive in the Irish mind. Firstly, because there are no snakes on the island. A scientifically proven fact, but one that raises the question of their possible existence before the 5th century. There is no evidence today to suggest that there were ever snakes in Ireland after the Ice Age.
St. Patrick’s Day – Thad Zajdowicz – cc
Transmitting the values of the Christian faith to the Irish pagans was no mean feat. But Saint Patrick would soon have found highly effective ways of teaching the concept of faith.
One of his most famous miracles was using a 3-leaf clover to teach pagan kings about the Holy Trinity. He would then turn to nature, to teach God (the Father), Jesus (the Son), and the Holy Spirit… all while pointing to each leaf of a shamrock!
An explanation that would have struck pagan minds, and allowed Christianity to spread at lightning speed!
Since then, the shamrock has become a symbol of Ireland and the Irish Saint. It is displayed everywhere during the March 17th celebrations, and is one of the emblems of the nation! That’s all there is to it!
Far from being a mere evangelist, St. Patrick is said to have been gifted with divine powers. According to legend, he was commissioned by God himself to convert Ireland to Christianity, giving him superpowers in the process!
The Irish patron saint himself is said to have declared that he would perform resurrections on the Emerald Isle.
A statement that would have helped fortify a legend, accentuated during the 12th century, once again thanks to Jocely de Furness, who would have contributed to the myth by claiming that St Patrick had raised 33 people from the dead, some of whom had been dead for many years!
The details remain unclear, of course, but they would have helped strengthen the Saint’s aura throughout Ireland!
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