BISHOP OF IRELAND

It's St. Patrick's Day today. Two of his short documents are the basis for most of what we know of this patron saint of Ireland. His "Confession" was written to recount the events surrounding his call to bring the Gospel to the Irish. Patrick's "Letter to Coroticus", written to an Irish warlord whom Patrick was forced to excommunicate, is a good illustration of his persuasive abilities.

He was born "Patricius" in 387 AD to a wealthy Welsh family. He was not religious as a youth and may have renounced the Christian faith for a time. While in his teens, Patrick was kidnapped to Ireland, where he was enslaved to a warlord and worked as a shepherd six years until escaping.

He returned to Britain, studied for the priesthood and returned to Ireland to be a missionary to his former captors. It is not clear when he went back to Ireland, or how long he ministered there, but he remained in Ireland for most of his adult life, dying there in 461 AD.

Patrick was recognized by historians and the Church hierarchy as the Bishop of Ireland. Despite his treatment as a slave, he made a permanent commitment to the people Ireland, and was instrumental in developing the Irish Church. March 17 is set aside worldwide to remember what he did for the people of Ireland.

St. Patrick is a testament to the overall missionary legacy of the Church. He proved that a Christian could live out the Scriptural commandment to spread the word of God even to the peoples who had once enslaved him. His life is a testimony to the mercy and grace of God.

The Church of Jesus Christ has grown from a small band of Christ's disciples to nearly 2 billion people today. It is spread all across the globe, with believers in virtually every nation on earth. The Holy Spirit created the Holy Christian Church on Pentecost and continues to make it grow. 

May God's people ever remain faithful to their Jesus Christ!