Today we remember and give thanks for Patrick, Missionary to Ireland. Patrick is one of the best-known of the
missionary saints. Born to a Christian family in Britain
around the year 389, he was captured as a teenager by raiders, taken to Ireland,
and forced to serve as a herdsman. After six years he escaped and found his way
to a monastery community in France.
Ordained a bishop in 432, he made his way back to Ireland, where he spent the rest of
his long life spreading the Gospel and organizing Christian communities. He
strongly defended the doctrine of the Holy Trinity in a time when it was not
popular to do so. His literary legacy includes his autobiography, Confessio,
and several prayers and hymns still used in the church today. Patrick died
around the year 466.
Collect of the Day:
Almighty and
everlasting God, we thank you for your servant Patrick, whom you called to
preach the Gospel to the people of Ireland. Raise up in this and every
land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the
unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns you You
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
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