Patrick: The Pilgrim Apostle of Ireland

by Máire B. de Paor

". . . whoever is pleased to look at or receive this writing, which Patrick, a sinner, untaught, to be sure, has composed in Ireland . . . this is my Confession before I die." Who was St Patrick? In the modern era his name still carries the aura of legend -- yet the truths of his life remain unknown to most readers. Now, in this new work of biographical reconstruction, Máire B. de Paor brings us as close as possible to the man behind the myth. Through a combination of painstaking research and a close reading of Patrick's two surviving works -- the Confessio and the Epistola, their texts included in full in this edition -- de Paor reveals a man at once poet and pilgrim, artist and apostle. The story of St Patrick, known to many as the patron saint of Ireland, is as complex and mythic as the Irish culture he took as his own. Kidnapped at the age of fifteen, Patrick was smuggled to Ireland in a time of Christian upheaval in Europe. On the rocky coasts of his new home, Patrick adopted the life of a shepherd and the words of his Gaelic companions. At night, however, the Irish hills darkened to reveal the pagan gods and monsters so foreign to Patrick's Christian sensibilities. Patrick prayed for release for six years, only to return to evangelize his pagan captors. Until recently, the modern consensus was that Patrick was a barely literate rustic struggling with a sense of inadequacy in a language he could not master. In her exhaustively researched biography, Máire B. de Paor uncovers the true Patrick as revealed through his two major literary works. Started as a defense against his accusers, Patrick's writings evolved into something more powerful -- a manifestation of the spirit that had gripped him. Set against a backdrop of the Catholic fervor of the fifth century, Patrick's words also reflect a fascinating time in religious history. As a religious figure, and as a captured slave, Patrick was the living embodiment of the conflict between the civilized Roman Catholics and the "dangerous heathen enemies of the Empire." A scholar of exceptional depth and insight, de Paor examines Patrick's written legacy with refreshing vigor and passion and discovers an artist of astonishing literary skill and a man of great spiritual depth.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Biography, Christianity, Ireland

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Sister Máire B. de Paor, PBVM

Reviews

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I'm not Catholic, I have a fascination with saints, and St. Patrick in particular. I also find this time period in Britain and Ireland so interesting, as well as reading about the beginnings of the Christian church as roots took hold at 'the edge of the world'.

Patrick's own words are still amazing to read, so many centuries later. I've read other texts about him as well, but always find myself re-reading his Confession each time from each volume the manuscript is included in.

This work is referred to as a 'close reading' in the summary but this is an understatement. The entire Confession is broken up into hundreds of pieces so that it loses it's meaning, despite the author supposedly telling us what Patrick meant in his writing. You're far better off reading his Confession yourself in its entirety, instead of relying on the author to spoon-feed it to you.

Also, if you do give this one a go, beware of the following: copious amounts of run-on sentences and the constant use of the words 'concentric' and 'crux'. The writing is okay but nothing spectacular.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biography of St. Patrick based upon a literary analysis of his existing writings, the Confessions and the Epistle. Incredibly dense, not the best writing ever, and more caught up in technical analysis than communication. However, the book still does convey the greatness of Patrick, who was truly one of the great men of the faith. Rather than read this, however, I would encourage everyone to read his Confessions.

[Liam Malone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of the story of St Patrick and the problems scholars face because some believe there were two Patricks.

[❄Elsa Frost❄]

Contains St. Patrick's Confession.