I, Patrick a sinner..............

"My name is Patrick. I am a sinner, a simple country person, and the least of all believers. I am looked down upon by many. My father was Calpornius. He was a deacon; his father was Potitus, a priest, who lived at Bannavem Taburniae. His home was near there, and that is where I was taken prisoner. I was about sixteen at the time.

At that time, I did not know the true God. I was taken into captivity in Ireland,along with thousands of others. We deserved this, because we had gone away from God,and did not keep his commandments. We would not listen to our priests, who advised us about how we could be saved. We have gone aside from your commandments … we have not listened to your servants the prophets".The Lord brought his strong anger upon us, and scattered us among many nations even to the ends of the earth. It was among foreigners that it was seen how little I was."

While we have many legends about St Patrick, it is makes sense to look to see what writings the saint himself has left us which are regarded as some of the earliest literature from Ireland. The Royal Irish Academy have published a new booklet by Padraig McCarthy which is freely available online HERE. The other writing of St Patrick that comes down to us in the Book of Armagh is his Letter to Coroticus, appealing for the return of Irish christians who has been taken in a slave raid.

Both are written in a very easy to read style which makes sense if you consider that Patrick's education was interupted when he was taken as a slave. Have a look and a quick read through as it is not very long or difficult and as they say, hear it straight from the horses mouth.

Some reflections on the day including on the readings of the feast day are available from :

• Godzdogz
• Blue Eyed Ennis - Phil has some lovely thoughts and a melody of reflections from different sources as she returns to blogging after a short hiatus which the Sacred Space 102fm team join with her other readers in welcoming her continued writing.
• Fr John Coughlan has posted his homily from this mornings Mass online which is well worth a listen.