In Review: Saint Patrick – Redeeming Saint Patrick’s Day (Part 1)

On March 17, Saint Patrick’s Day will be celebrated across the globe.  I wanted to find out the backstory behind this beloved saint, so I read Saint Patrick by Jonatahn Rogers, a book in the new Thomas Nelson series called “Christian Encounters.”  Rogers’ brief biography, which includes Patrick’s own Confession and The Letter sent to the soldiers of Croticus, reveals the true story of the misunderstood saint.  While a number of myths surround the Saint, the holiday we celebrate to commemorate him has nothing to do clovers, wearing green, or Guinness.  So who was he?

Patrick’s Confession and other writings reveal Patrick was the son of a deacon born in Britain (occupied by Rome).  As a teenager, Patrick made a genuine conversion to follow Jesus.  At this time he was also taken captive by a band of marauders, who sold him to the Irish.  Patrick was a slave for six years before hearing God speak to him, “Behold, your ship is ready.”  Patrick escaped two hundred miles to a ship that eventually brought him aboard.  Patrick was not home for long before he felt God call him back to the very barbarians that had enslaved him.  Through many years of toil including personal embarassment, persecution from captors and clergy, and more, Patrick boldly preached Christ crucified and obeyed the call to make disciples of all nations.

Over the next two days, I will chronicle Patrick’s life (as told by Rogers) with hopes to reclaim, redeem, and remind the world of why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

RECOMMENDATION: 

Though brief, this biography captures the authentic witness of Saint Patrick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.

Caleb Gallifant

Posts

No Comments

Be the first to start the conversation.

Leave a Reply