St Patrick of Ireland
Many ringers have visited and enjoyed the bells in both Northern Ireland and the Republic. Do we stop and think about their patron saint? This week Saint Patrick’s day has been celebrated by Irish communities across the world with traditional foods and drink. Maybe some ringing has been done in celebration.
What do we know about Saint Patrick and how his feast day came to be 17th March? There are many legends and stories about St Patrick and his life and spreading Christianity which you can look up. Very briefly, St Patrick’s day honours the bringing of the gospel of Christ to the people of Ireland and is the anniversary of the day he died. The shamrock, his notable symbol, is an interpretation of the Holy Trinity. The legend of banishing snakes from Ireland can be seen as the power of the gospel driving out pagan beliefs as Patrick preached the Christian gospel. He ministered as a bishop, living in the fifth century and leaving a legacy in his prayer, known as St Patrick’s breastplate. It focuses our minds on the way we live as Christians. An excerpt:
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 everyone 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.
This tells us that all our lives should be Christ centred as we follow the commands of Christ to go and preach the word (Mark16:15) and yet go in peace (Colossians 3:15-17).
In today’s world with its many trials and tribulations and St Patrick being a well-known and loved saint, can we practice what he taught and banish ideals that do not encourage harmonious living as we proclaim the gospel through the sound of bells across the countryside and cities?
Rhona McEune