Fewer saints are more celebrated and less known as St. Patrick, especially here in America.  Like many Christian feast days, St. Patrick's Day has been thoroughly secularised, and while who doesn't love an opportunity to celebrate the richness of Irish culture on March 17th, it is good that we focus some attention on the sacred nature of Patrick's amazing evangelical journey. 

A son of a minor Roman official at the very end of the Roman Empire (both geographically and in time), "Patricio" was kidnapped by Irish raiders and sold into slavery on the Emerald Isle. After years in bondage, Patrick managed his escape to the European Continent where he became a priest, and then decided to make his way back to Ireland, the place of his tormentors, to attempt to bring the Gospel to those heathen people.  

According to many historians, Patrick became the first successful evangelist to convert a people who had not first been part of the Roman Empire (some say St. Thomas may have performed a similar fear in India, but the evidence is much more spotty on that one); and to do so, Patrick took St. Paul's advice to heart and became all things to the Irish, adapting the Christian message to the cultural folk ways and sensibilities of the Irish people. Risking death several times during his mission, Patrick became beloved to his adopted people, and the faith and fervor he generated spawned an incredible outpouring of new believers, as newly minted Irish priests spread far and wide, first to Great Britain, and then to the Continent, establishing monasteries, convents, churches, and charitable institutions. 

So, as we enjoy the party-like atmosphere of St. Patrick's Day, let us also remember the courage and compassion that marked Patrick's incredible life of service to the Church. In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us that if we forgive, we will also be forgiven, something that St. Patrick certainly took to heart. Have a blessed day!

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