Patrick: In His Own Words

by Patrick of Ireland, Joseph Duffy (Editor)

Bishop Joseph Duffy This book presents St. Patrick, using his own words, as a marvelous human being, who faced the mystery of life and death with exemplary courage and refreshing honesty. Patrick’s original Latin and a new translation into Irish are included.

Genres: Religion, Christianity

147 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

(born perhaps 389)

Christian missionary Saint Patrick serves as patron of Ireland.

Saint Patrick reputedly founded Armagh.


People most generally recognize Patrick as a Romano-Briton and formally Saint Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille.

From two authentic letters that survive come the only universally accepted details of his life. From Britain, Irish raiders captured Patrick, then sixteen years of age circa 415, and took him as a slave; he lived for six years before he escaped circa 421 and returned to his family. After entering the Church, he returned as an ordained bishop in the north and west of the island, but we know little about the places, where he worked.

People came to revere Patrick before the 7th century. Patrick early tried to establish the diocesan model, but after his time, the Irish monastery system evolved, and the church developed otherwise.

From the 7th century onward, later hagiographies, now not accepted without detailed criticism, provide most available details of his life.

Uncritical acceptance of the Annals of Ulster implies that he lived from 340, ministered from 428 onward in modern north, and died in 440. We cannot fix the dates of life of Patrick with certainty, but on a widespread interpretation, he acted during the second half of the 5th century. People celebrate Saint Patrick's Day, that of his rebirth unto eternal life, on 17 March as a liturgical and secular holiday. This solemnity and a holy day of obligation in the dioceses can celebrate the emerald isle.

Reviews

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect book on St Patrick. It starts with his confession and letter and then Bishop Joseph Buffy analises it accompanied with interpretations from other scholars.

[Elyrria · Rating 5 out of 5]

St. Patrick is an annoying character, though his search for purpose and single mindedness about his passion are relatable on some level. Joseph Duffy does a great job of arranging Patrick's writings in an accessible way and adding plenty of notes later in the book. Patrick was a missionary who seemed to be less violent than others who would come later, but it's still sad to see how Christianity gained even more footing in Ireland, though St. Patrick's influence wouldn't be appreciated on a large scale until long after his death.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seemed strange to try and put a star rating on this book. It was essentially some of the writings of St. Patrick and a commentary that put the writings into context. But the book was fascinating and recommended to those who enjoy reading about the lives of the saints. I learned much and he strengthened my faith. St Patrick, pray for us.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most Catholics know the basics of the life of St. Patrick. The future missionary came from an influential family. He was kidnapped when he was young, forced to herd sheep in some outpost in Ireland. He became Christian, then escaped, then returned years later to Christianize the pagans.

How many know that his mission was opposed not just by the Irish chieftains holding onto power, but clerics in his native Britain? Patrick was quickly ordained a bishop shortly after a brief diaconate which didn’t sit well with others. He also had an embarrassingly meagre education in proper Latin, still the lingua franca of the Roman outpost of an empire in the midst of dissimulation.

He missed out on rhetorical studies because he was smack in the middle of learning a new language when he wasn’t busy herding sheep. They dismissed the idea of preaching to an island full of barbarians. And for good measure, he was also deemed insufficient in theology.

Imagine what they would say to a common fisherman being appointed to head the Church. In fact, most of the Twelve Apostles were told “from now on you’ll be catching men” instead of fish. What Patrick lacked in formal education he made up in bringing the Gospels to life with images and phrases familiar to the people he brought into the Church. He was so successful that austere monastic life took root and resulted in enormous numbers of hermitages.

In his book How the Irish Saved Civilization, Thomas Cahill posits that this outpost of Europe preserved the culture of Western Civilization when the glory of Rome became extinguished. Picture St. Patrick preaching the Gospel to the peoples who emerged during the regrowth of the Medieval Ages and you have a good idea of what he faced.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent summary of current scholarship. Duffy accepts the late 460-493 dates for Patrick's British-sponsored ministry, partly because one of his disciples, a Briton named Mochta of Louth, has an obit of 535--a fact which deals a blow to those, like me, who favor the earlier 432-460 date for Patrick's mission. He puts his mission late and in the N and NW part of the country, later than missions in other parts of the country. For Patrick's birthplace he follows scholars who suggest the Severn Valley in SW Britain 'as most in keeping with Patrick's remarks about his Roman citizenship and his uilulla'. (Other scholars suggest near Carlisle, 'at the extreme north of the Roman enclave', a location I favor). The territory of the Ulaidh headquartered at Emain Macha may have been his mission headquarters. For the wood of Foclut he suggests Foghill, Killala Bay, Co. Mayo.