Family with Teen(s)
Prayer of St. Patrick
Christ be with me,
Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. St. Patrick, pray for us! |
Story of Saint Patrick
We have all heard of St. Patrick. He is one of our Church’s most popular saints. On March 17th, millions of people around the world celebrate the life of St. Patrick. From traditions of shamrocks and leprechauns to Irish music and corned beef, we all celebrate St. Patrick in many different ways.
So, you may be thinking what did St. Patrick do that is so special? Why do we make such a big deal about one guy? Let’s spend the next few minutes learning about St. Patrick and how he is a witness of faith to us even today.
So, you may be thinking what did St. Patrick do that is so special? Why do we make such a big deal about one guy? Let’s spend the next few minutes learning about St. Patrick and how he is a witness of faith to us even today.
What Can We Learn From St. Patrick?
Prayer: St. Patrick was in a foreign place away from his family and everything that he knew. He had nothing except what his masters gave him. Many of us would have probably given up hope if we were in his situation. Not Patrick. As a teenager, the age of most of you here, he held tightly to the Lord through prayer. He literally prayed at every moment of his day. He turned his work and other activities into an offering of prayer. He also found confidence that God was taking care of his life. He knew God and God knew him. How often are we praying to God? Do we make room for him in our daily activities? Do we make our relationship with God central to everything we do? St. Patrick gives us an example of a saintly prayer life.
Trusting God’s Plan: As a result of St. Patrick’s prayer life, he was in touch with what God had to say. Multiple times in his life God spoke and gave him a specific mission. Many times those missions did not make logical sense. To us it might seem a bit crazy to go back to where you were enslaved. God’s ways are above ours. The culture and language that Patrick had learned as a slave enabled him to be a great missionary to the people in Ireland. He trusted in God’s plan and went. He allowed himself to be used by God as a way of bringing others into relationship with God. He trusted that God would equip him and protect him.
What about you? Do you trust in God’s plan for your life? What is the place or who is the person God is asking you to reach out to? It might be someone you do not know well or it could be someone in your own family. Do you believe that God will give you the words and tools you need to live out that call? What is holding you back? St. Patrick is a perfect example to all of us on how to live a holy, saintly life. On our own, sainthood is impossible, but with God’s help and our commitment and obedience to prayer and the sacraments, we can do great things for the Lord.
Trusting God’s Plan: As a result of St. Patrick’s prayer life, he was in touch with what God had to say. Multiple times in his life God spoke and gave him a specific mission. Many times those missions did not make logical sense. To us it might seem a bit crazy to go back to where you were enslaved. God’s ways are above ours. The culture and language that Patrick had learned as a slave enabled him to be a great missionary to the people in Ireland. He trusted in God’s plan and went. He allowed himself to be used by God as a way of bringing others into relationship with God. He trusted that God would equip him and protect him.
What about you? Do you trust in God’s plan for your life? What is the place or who is the person God is asking you to reach out to? It might be someone you do not know well or it could be someone in your own family. Do you believe that God will give you the words and tools you need to live out that call? What is holding you back? St. Patrick is a perfect example to all of us on how to live a holy, saintly life. On our own, sainthood is impossible, but with God’s help and our commitment and obedience to prayer and the sacraments, we can do great things for the Lord.
This month I challenge you to learn from the life of St. Patrick and make a step toward change in your life. We are all striving to be saints, so learning from him, and imitating his actions can be a great guide on our journey. What was one aspect of St. Patrick’s story that stuck out to you or that you related to? How can you imitate his life today?
If you choose to add prayer into your life, here are 7 Tips to Pray More.
Prayer is at the foundation of all that we do as Catholics and St. Patrick knew that. This not only strengthened his ministry, but allowed him to be more open to what God had planned for him.
Another amazing way to follow in the footsteps of St. Patrick is to share the faith with those around you. We have an amazing opportunity on this holiday to share the real story of this day, and the man behind it. Our schools, offices, and homes celebrate in their own way, and as Catholics we can share with others why we celebrate the life of this saint.
Another amazing way to follow in the footsteps of St. Patrick is to share the faith with those around you. We have an amazing opportunity on this holiday to share the real story of this day, and the man behind it. Our schools, offices, and homes celebrate in their own way, and as Catholics we can share with others why we celebrate the life of this saint.