Persevere Like St. Patrick
“Saint Patrick 2” By Mindy Indy
Persevere Like St. Patrick
By Marion Sarte
Congratulations! You’re now over the halfway point through Lent. Today is also St. Patrick’s Day. How are you doing with your Lenten practices and sacrifices? In the secular world, it feels like a second Mardi Gras. Vibrant shades of green abound, a nice respite from the cold grays of an ebbing winter. Parades, music, and festivities uplift the crowds swarming the streets. Pub crawls invite revelers to leave their inhibitions at the door. Everyone is in a good mood, and you may think to yourself, “I’ve made it this far in Lent. It’s almost over. There’s no harm in indulging myself a little bit.” Yet, that’s just it. Lent is nearing the end. Why break your good streak now? Do not give into that temptation. On this day, as the secular world entices you to give yourself a break, there is no one better to help you stay focused on the goal—our Lord, Jesus Christ—than St. Patrick himself, a model of virtue and perseverance.
St. Patrick, whose real name was Maewyn Succat, was born in Roman Britain around the late 4th century. When he was about 14 years old, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sent to Ireland as a slave, herding and tending to sheep. During his captivity, he began praying and experienced a conversion. When he was around 20 years old, God revealed to him in a dream his escape route by ship, and he returned home to his family in Britain. However, a few years later, he had a vision of the Irish pleading for his return: “We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us.” His lack of education did not deter him from the great mission of evangelization set before him. He persevered in his studies and was ordained a priest. After he became a bishop, he returned to Ireland to preach the Gospel in the early 5th century.
So great was his love for the people of Ireland, desiring their conversion of heart and God’s blessing upon them, that he prayed and fasted for 40 days on their behalf while enduring many attacks by Satan. It is believed that St. Patrick persisted in his penance until God agreed to spare Ireland from annihilation wrought by Armageddon and to permit him to act as Ireland’s judge at the Last Judgement. Despite the many obstacles he faced during his mission—pagan resistance to receiving God’s Word and threats from the local chieftains—he remained steadfast, successfully baptizing thousands of people and founding about 300 churches throughout Ireland.
So today, if you find yourself stumbling or growing complacent on your Lenten journey, remember your friend, St. Patrick. Ask for his intercession, that like him, you will remain faithful and keep your eyes on our Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of reaching for that pint of Guinness, reach for the Holy Scriptures, where what your heart truly desires will be waiting to speak to you there. What is God’s message for you today?
Sr. Catherine Lucia Phoebe Addington, FSP is a religious sister with the Daughters of St. Paul, a congregation dedicated to communicating Christ through the media. She is a writer, poet, translator, quilter, and crafter currently stationed in Alexandria, Virginia.
Melinda Steffen / Mindy Indy is a freelance cartoonist and illustrator living in Brooklyn. She has illustrated graphics for the New York chapter of Samuel Group, and writes & illustrates her own sci-fi/comedy comic series called AER HEAD.