10 St. Patrick’s Day Quotes and Blessings

Millions around the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day mostly as a secular holiday, but when we look into who St. Patrick was and the Christian origins of this holiday, we can celebrate it in a much more meaningful way. St. Patrick was a missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland. Born in Britain around the turn of the fourth to fifth century, Patrick lived a middle-class life until Irish raiders kidnapped him at age 16. They took him to Ireland where he worked as a slave, herding sheep. During his captivity and desperation, he cried out to God and became serious about his faith. After several years, God spoke to him and called him to escape. Patrick escaped and returned to his family. He further felt the call into the priesthood, and one night God gave him a vision to return to Ireland, the land of his captors, and bring them the Gospel. St. Patrick returned to Ireland as a priest and missionary. He traveled, preached, and established churches. His ministry practically converted a whole nation. We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, the date of his death, to honor his faith and courage. To celebrate his faith and legacy, let’s look at five quotes from Patrick and five Irish blessings. Photo credit: Unsplash/Timothy Dykes