CatholicIreland.net

St Patrick and the 'voice of the Irish'

In a series of seven articles, Edmond Grace SJ looks at the life and writings of St. Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland and helps us see how Patrick's life is still relevant today.

Just as Patrick was asleep when that call of the people of Ireland first came into his life, so today the power of his story lies dormant. Perhaps it is we and not Patrick who are asleep and we need to hear these words of Isaiah on the lips of Jesus:

You will listen and listen again, but not understand, see and see again, but not perceive. For the heart of this nation has grown coarse, their ears are dull of hearing, and they shut their eyes, for fear they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart and be converted and healed by me (Mt. 13:15).

Part 1: The relevance of St. Patrick today The story of St Patrick coming to Ireland is like a photographic negative of the bible story of the prodigal ....

Part 2: Patrick's first Irish 'sojourn' Patrick, child of a Christian family, was captured and brought as a slave to pagan Ireland. ....

Part 3: The long journey home After leaving Ireland, Patrick still had to endure hardship and dejection as he was prepared by God for his ....

Part 4: The voice of the Irish Soon after he returned at last to his people, Patrick heard 'the voice of the Irish', and he knew he had to ....

Part 5: The Irish mission Missionary work in Ireland, a land of veritable barbarians, was far from easy for Patrick. ....

Part 6: Defending the young Church When Irish Christians are captured and enslaved by a British chieftain, Coroticus, also a Christian, Patrick ....

Part 7: The fruits of Patrick's mission Patrick's self-giving was total, and it bore immediate fruit in the many Irish men and women who entered ....