Rediscovering Saint Patrick: A New Theory of Origins

by Marcus Losack

This book is the fruit of four years extensive research in the search for evidence to support the claim that St. Patrick was originally from Brittany, France. It combines a scholarly, historical enquiry with story-telling genius. The reader is invited to embark on a sacred quest, entering a labyrinth of legend and tradition and share in the adventure of an exciting historical discovery. Step by step, as the journey unfolds we find ourselves drawn into an even greater mystery. St Patrick's life and our lives, his story and our story, are inextricably intertwined. This book is a masterpiece of historical investigation and questioning - carefully written and eye-opening.

272 pages, Paperback

First published June 16, 2013

Reviews

[Dara Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book offering a challenge to the general perception among scholars that Patrick came from Britain as a slave to Ireland. Losack offers compelling evidence that Patrick's family had moved to Brittany (perhaps for safety reasons) around the time he was born and that he was captured from there. When Patrick escaped Ireland he returned to Brittany. In Brittany, he was influenced by St Martin of Tours whose monastery was nearby, and to whom, Losack claims, he was related. He also would have had contact with the Celtic hermits living along the coast of Brittany near his home. All of this evidence points to the conclusion that Patrick was more Celtic than Roman. He came to Ireland certainly as a missionary, but the structure of church he promoted was monastic rather than diocesan. Although the Pelagian controversy was raging at the time in Roman circles, Patrick makes no mention of it in his writings. He may indeed have been Pelagian himself. Losack also concludes that Patrick's relationship with the Roman authorities may have collapsed during his time in Ireland. He cites evidence that there is no mention of Patrick anywhere in official church documents after his death, and that he was not replaced. His name drifted into oblivion. It took a further 200 years before it was resurrected by the monastery of Armagh to serve a political purpose. It is fascinating stuff and a very different take on Patrick's story than that found in the mainstream.

[Darlene Hull · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting Book

Some very interesting research, but a lot of repetition. If it were edited down to about 1/3 of its current length it would be an excellent book

[Adam Higgins · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book... pfff... its sooo long, and, its a real drag in the beginning if youre not familiar already with the people who present in the large, slightly repetetive and arguably unneeded context which marcus gives to support an altogether very interesting and convincing argument that challenges the established ideas of saint patrick. somebody said this book could be excellent if edited to 1/3 of its length, and i agree wholeheartedly, i felt as though a lot of the context could have been in a "read these if you dont believe me" section, which, i suppose, makes me sure in the idea that marcus was expecting to get attacked for this, and all of this context is his defence against it, which i can understand. I dont know if i would recommend reading this book, however, i would recommend putting this book into notebookLM and asking google to make an ai podcast about it!