Memorial of St Patrick, Bishop

St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but returned about 432 to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools.  

The Irish sent out missionaries to many different countries in the world. St Patrick’s Day is widely celebrated by the Irish diaspora around the world, especially in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Brazil, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.

The readings for the Mass have a missionary thrust.  In the first reading the Lord says to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-9) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I have appointed you as prophet to the nations.”  In the second reading from the Acts of the Apostles (13:46-49) speak of their mission to the pagans saying “For this is what the Lord commanded us to do when he said: ‘I have made you a light to the nations, so that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth.’” In the Gospel (Luke 10:1-12, 17-20) the Lord sends out the seventy-two saying “The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.”