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Saint Patrick: Pioneer Missionary to Ireland
Over sixteen hundred years ago, God inspired a man named Patrick to take the gospel of Christ to the people of Ireland. This biography seeks to vividly portray the true story of St. Patrick and to encourage Christians today to “Go ye therefore and teach all nations.”
160 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 2, 2023
I enjoyed this simple and accessible retelling of the life and ministry of Patrick of Ireland. Great for adults and children alike!
March 18, 2024
"Bishop Patrick overcame numerous problems during his years of service simply because he understood he was never alone, that God was his constant company. The good news for any Christian living in the twenty-first century is that the same God who shepherded Saint Patrick is ready and able to empower people with child-like faith today to pull down the strongholds of Satan. There is much myth and legend associated with Patrick, Bishop of Ireland. regardless of the myths, however, we can be certain that he was a humble missionary who was utterly devoted to preaching the simple message of the Gospel of Christ. Patrick never considered himself as any type of super saint. This brave Christian, like all true servants of Christ, are called to be saints solely on account of their redemption by God. At no time did Patrick ever seek any title or recognition from any church councils or popes in Tome. His whole priority in life was to seek to be approved by Christ as a faithful workman in the independent Celtic church of Ireland. Snakes, leprechauns and magic charms were distant from him. Saint Patrick believed the Bible to be supreme in all matters of faith and life. No matter what the legends about him may say, the truth is that Patrick found the strength and wisdom to disciple the nation of Ireland by the Sprit of God and the Word of God. Just as in Patrick's day, any child of God who wishes to overcome the world must be willing to follow the call of Christ, to pick up in faith the cross of love and service and follow Him. Patrick was indeed a truly great man of God. His example of perseverance under tremendous pressure, his unswerving faith in God's call upon his life, and his personal piety all joined together to inspire believers today to follow after Christ and to make Him known to the nations."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2021
If you had asked me to tell you anything about the historical Patricius, known today as Saint Patrick, I would not have been able to give you one single factual statement. So much of what I have come to understand about Saint Patrick is wrapped up in legend and folklore, and mostly derived from inaccurate cultural celebrations. However, in this concise and elementary book, my gross misunderstanding of Patrick has been corrected. In “Saint Patrick: Pioneer Missionary to Ireland,” McHugh paints the story of a hedonistic teenager taken captive and enslaved by ruthless, brutal Irish marauders who was transformed into fearless, evangelical missionary to the same pagan nation. The story of Saint Patrick has once again demonstrated how beautifully sovereign the Lord is over every circumstance, purposing it all for the believer’s good and God’s glory.
How does God use Irish wolfhounds to soften hearts to hear the gospel? How can anything good ever come out of enslavement? Does God really delight in saving those who sacrifice children on the alter of a pagan god? What does it look like to walk in obedience to God’s word even in the face of death?
McHugh gives the answer to all these questions in this book. Overall, if you are looking for a short read (150 pages written at a 5th grade reading level) to give you a general and empty of myth account of Patrick, the missionary to Ireland, then I recommend reading this. You will be left with a hunger to share your faith and walk boldly for Christ. As a saint, fellow-believer, revisiting the saints of old is vitally important—it stands as a great reminder that the same God who used an ordinary boy to change the spiritual landscape of an entire pagan nation is the same God who today works in the lives of ordinary people to bring the message of salvation to an idolatrous world.
Forget leprechauns, snakes, pinching, drunken staggers, and magic charms—the Saint Patrick of actual history is far more compelling and a stalwart of the faith worth celebrating. Happy 1560th anniversary of Patrick’s death. Let’s share the gospel!
How does God use Irish wolfhounds to soften hearts to hear the gospel? How can anything good ever come out of enslavement? Does God really delight in saving those who sacrifice children on the alter of a pagan god? What does it look like to walk in obedience to God’s word even in the face of death?
McHugh gives the answer to all these questions in this book. Overall, if you are looking for a short read (150 pages written at a 5th grade reading level) to give you a general and empty of myth account of Patrick, the missionary to Ireland, then I recommend reading this. You will be left with a hunger to share your faith and walk boldly for Christ. As a saint, fellow-believer, revisiting the saints of old is vitally important—it stands as a great reminder that the same God who used an ordinary boy to change the spiritual landscape of an entire pagan nation is the same God who today works in the lives of ordinary people to bring the message of salvation to an idolatrous world.
Forget leprechauns, snakes, pinching, drunken staggers, and magic charms—the Saint Patrick of actual history is far more compelling and a stalwart of the faith worth celebrating. Happy 1560th anniversary of Patrick’s death. Let’s share the gospel!
April 11, 2022
Targeted towards kids with “comprehension questions” and “words to know” at the end of each chapter. I would still give it good marks for being full, complete and well told.
June 9, 2023
While many of my ancestors were Irish, I'm not familiar with more than the basics of the story of St. Patrick. That being the case, I thought this audiobook might be interesting and a good way to learn a little more about him. In spite of having so little foundational knowledge on this topic, I'm not sure that this was no more than a long children's (upper elementary) story with a heavy modern evangelical twist in the retelling of St. Patrick's life. I read some of the other reviews, and this seems to be the general consensus.
Every chapter even ended with "comprehension questions" and "words to know." Being an educator, I'm certainly not against the author including learning aids in his work, but this made it seem even more like a children's book.
The audiobook was narrated by Fred Williams, and his performance was a little odd and choppy.
Every chapter even ended with "comprehension questions" and "words to know." Being an educator, I'm certainly not against the author including learning aids in his work, but this made it seem even more like a children's book.
The audiobook was narrated by Fred Williams, and his performance was a little odd and choppy.
October 14, 2022
This is a simple introduction to the life of Saint Patrick. seems to be written at a six grade level, with comprehension questions and vocabulary words to boot! The author became quite tiresome at how Saint Patrick was continually praying the sinners prayer for himself and encouraging everybody he met to pray this evangelical formula. After reading the Confessio of Patrick, I’d say it is unlikely that the historical Patrick did not give an altar call like the Patrick in this book. If I can get past these simplistic tropes applied to not confuse young evangelical minds by strange Catholic ideas (Eucharist, priests, fasting, confession, etc), this book was entertaining and instructive at times.
August 9, 2023
A super quick and interesting read. All Christians should read this book.
It was a true Christian story. St Patrick was a British man who devoted his life to spreading the Gospel to the very people who enslaved him in Ireland.
The Irish or Celtic people as they were called were into worshipping Pagan gods and idols and were hostile to Christianity and Christians.
St. Patrick feared resisting what God had called him to do over what the Celts would do to him and he eventually won over the country to Christianity.
Ireland owes a great deal to St Patrick for saving them but also helping to create their new culture.
I loved this book. It’s not 1 million pages of stuff you’re not going to care about. It’s short and sweet but gives you enough to show the incredible life St Patrick lived.
St Patrick’s Day shouldn’t be about drinking, it should always be about proclaiming your faith in God and honoring St Patrick for guiding a people to Jesus.
5/5 stars.
It was a true Christian story. St Patrick was a British man who devoted his life to spreading the Gospel to the very people who enslaved him in Ireland.
The Irish or Celtic people as they were called were into worshipping Pagan gods and idols and were hostile to Christianity and Christians.
St. Patrick feared resisting what God had called him to do over what the Celts would do to him and he eventually won over the country to Christianity.
Ireland owes a great deal to St Patrick for saving them but also helping to create their new culture.
I loved this book. It’s not 1 million pages of stuff you’re not going to care about. It’s short and sweet but gives you enough to show the incredible life St Patrick lived.
St Patrick’s Day shouldn’t be about drinking, it should always be about proclaiming your faith in God and honoring St Patrick for guiding a people to Jesus.
5/5 stars.
April 3, 2023
Beautiful, powerful, and inspiring. Although this book was written for young adults, I was really blessed and inspired by Patrick’s life, many details of which I hadn’t known prior to reading this book. It is evident to me that he is one of a handful of Christians who have had the most influence in our world since the early church fathers. I look forward to my kids reading this book when they get older and I hope it inspires them to a life in pursuit of Christ like Patrick.
June 13, 2021
Wonderful book, quite a story with section question and important words to remember and they even cover getting rid of the snakes….
How does history able to tell the tales of sorcery and magic all under the guise of Jesus Religion…. Now where does it say in that little book to not tolerate a witch or sorcery to live…
Proving they actually do.
How does history able to tell the tales of sorcery and magic all under the guise of Jesus Religion…. Now where does it say in that little book to not tolerate a witch or sorcery to live…
Proving they actually do.
March 6, 2025
I loved this story! It was amazing to hear the true story behind Saint Patrick. He was a faithful example of the power of forgiveness.
“I only want to be remembered as the man who brought the Word of God to a pagan people & helped them to know the true faith.” -Saint Patrick of Ireland
The only thing I didn’t like was the narrator on the audio book.
“I only want to be remembered as the man who brought the Word of God to a pagan people & helped them to know the true faith.” -Saint Patrick of Ireland
The only thing I didn’t like was the narrator on the audio book.
May 19, 2022
What a fantastic book on the life of Saint Patrick of Ireland. A great read for anyone who wants to learn more about his life and how far our world has come from honoring his life as a great believer in Christ whose faith changed a nation to now getting drunk on March 17, the day of his death.
June 11, 2022
I’m pretty certain this is a kids book but it was surprisingly well done. Origin of the snake story—check. Use of the shamrock to explain the trinity—check. Detailed explanations of miracles—check. I’m glad I picked this up.
April 16, 2019
Good biography about the life of Saint Patrick. Written for children but interesting enough for the whole family.
May 28, 2019
Learned so much more about St. Patrick's work in Ireland. It is written as a textbook for children, but has much to teach at all levels.
October 12, 2020
Very readable biography of Saint Patrick from a Protestant perspective. Great for kids.
March 17, 2023
Informational
March 29, 2023
St. Patrick has such a great story and this retelling of it just didn’t do it justice.
March 8, 2010
Just a couple chapters in and it is very good so far! Great way to teach your kids the history of why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
March 12, 2012
Got a little bogged down at the end, but all in all, it was a good synopsis of Saint Patrick's life.
April 4, 2013
A great kids book on the life of Saint Patrick, a true hero of the faith. We love to read this the month of March at our house.
March 23, 2014
One of my family's favorite biographies.
March 24, 2014
Enjoyable children's biography. We read it around St Patrick's Day during our Medieval/Ren/Ref hx cycle.
March 20, 2019
Great intro into the life of St. Patrick. It had discussion questions at end of chapters if you wanted to use it as curriculum.
October 11, 2020
Story of St. Patrick is awesome
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews