Another Perspective
St. Patrick for Adults
And not for adults who will spend today behaving like 10-year-olds.
A friend sent me a flyer his employer had sent employees. Included in it was a description of “St. Patrick’s Day” intended for a diverse and, apparently an under-10, audience. “He is the patron saint of Ireland — he became a priest and taught the Irish about God — we parade and dance and sing — we decorate with shamrocks and green — there’s a legend about snakes.”
What could be written for non-Catholic or non-Irish audiences about reasons they might respect him as more than an Easter bunny? Here’s my attempt:
The Saint Patrick honored on March 17 was an early (5th century) defender of human rights.
He grew up in Roman Christian Britain. When he was a teenager, he was kidnapped by the pagan Irish and enslaved. (Think of the Japanese young people who were kidnapped by the North Koreans. Think of the FARC kidnappings.) He was a shepherd — isolated from other human beings, living alone without any schooling or conversation. After six years of this life, he walked two hundred miles and escaped across the sea to freedom.
What did he do with his freedom? He left home again — this time to study to become a priest.
And what did he do with his priesthood? He had a dream not unlike the Apostle Paul’s about a man from Macedonia (Acts 16:9); the Irish were pleading for him to return. Based only on a call for help seen in a dream, he courageously went by himself, without the protection of a chieftain, to the land whose people saw him as a fugitive slave.
Patrick did not speak the Irish language. He preached in Latin. (Fortunately, he found an interpreter.) Furthermore, Patrick had a very limited knowledge of these people — their customs, folk religion, folklore, kinship structure, political organization. Patrick knew sheep; he didn’t know the Irish. Nonetheless, Patrick met with some success — enough to return to Britain to seek consecration as a bishop so he could bestow the sacrament of confirmation, and even ordain, his converts.
The educated and urbane British bishops belittled him as an uneducated, uncultured rustic, and had not supported his mission to the ruffian, low-life Irish. When he returned to Britain, the bishops were embarrassed by his success and jealous of it. Without enthusiasm, they consecrated him.
Later, a group of British Christians raided Ireland and kidnapped and enslaved some Irish. Patrick responded, at risk to his life, by excommunicating these men. Since these men resided in Britain, outside Patrick’s jurisdiction, the British bishops were so upset with Patrick’s action that they compelled him to return to Britain to face bogus charges (unrelated to the excommunication).
Many people do not know that these facts are recounted in two short writings of St. Patrick that have survived. You can read them. They are his autobiography and his letter of excommunication.
Patrick returned to the land which had enslaved him to bring them the ultimate freedom. He was not timid — in the face of the pagan Irish, in the face of the British bishops, in the face of British Christian warriors. Despite his lack of language and other skills, he succeeded by the grace of God.
Patrick’s success in bringing the Christian Faith to the Irish people in the 5th century resulted in a boon to all humanity since, in the title of Thomas Cahill’s 1996 book, “the Irish saved civilization” — and not just Christian civilization.
This, then, is Saint Patrick — for adults.
We today have the same opportunity as Patrick and his spiritual sons and daughters, that of saving civilization — this time from the pagans elected throughout the West. We who are Christian inhabit lands that have become strange to us, and foreign to God. Our lands are filled with people described by St. Paul as the “enemies of Christ” (Phil. 3:18).
Let us bring change to our lands, true freedom to our lands. In the words of President Kennedy’s Inaugural, “Let us go forth to lead the land we love, knowing that, here on earth, God’s work must truly be our own.”
(Mr. Thunder is a Washington, D.C. lawyer. His article on Franz Jaegerstaetter, executed for refusal to serve in Hitler’s army, appears in the March issue of New Oxford Review.)
Letter to the Editor View all comments (46) | Leave a comment
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Stuart Koehl| 3.17.09 @ 6:39AM
Excellent piece on St. Patrick. I would just point out, contra Cahill, that the Byzantines had a lot more to do with saving Western civilization--and especially its Classical heritage--than the Irish (or the Muslims) ever did. The Renaissance is directly related to the influx of Greek scholars from the Christian East, bringing with them the classics of Greek literature, philosophy and science.
Moranec| 3.17.09 @ 7:22AM
This is an accurate summary with contemporary parallels that helps the discerning reader to apply the truths of St. Patrick's witness to the challenges of the present day. Human trafficing (a.k.a. slavery) persists abroad and even in domestic 'sweat shops'. While bishops may not 'excommunicate' each other openly, the partisan in-fighting is just as intense: witness the lack of consensus over pro-choice Catholic politicians and their communion with the Church. The call to true sanctity will always be greeted as Jesus was greeted. As soon as believers understand this by being IN the world but not OF it, they too will appreceiate St.Patrick's story and see its echo in their own.
Pingback| 3.17.09 @ 7:46AM
Ask the leadership coach » The American Spectator : St. Patrick for Adults links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.17.09 @ 8:25AM
Saint Patrick | Hot Web Trends links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Michael Dooley| 3.17.09 @ 9:27AM
It is a display of indelicate manners that Mr. Koehl chooses to belittle the contributions of the Irish in the preservation of Western Civilization on their special day. If the Lord hadn’t invented whiskey to prevent the Irish from taking over the world, their towering endowments could not be so easily dismissed.
On the other hand, Mr. Koehl’s appalling etiquette is made up for by his admission that thousands of Greek scholars fled the “filioque” deficient Eastern
Christianity into the forgiving arms of the Pope. These learned men may…MAY… have benefited Western Civilization; but the Pope saved their souls
Stuart Koehl| 3.17.09 @ 11:39AM
Mr. Dooley writes, "If the Lord hadn’t invented whiskey to prevent the Irish from taking over the world, their towering endowments could not be so easily dismissed."
Well, at last an explanation of why God invented vodka--to prevent Russia from really becoming Third Rome.
"On the other hand, Mr. Koehl’s appalling etiquette is made up for by his admission that thousands of Greek scholars fled the “filioque” deficient Eastern Christianity into the forgiving arms of the Pope. "
Of course, Mr. Dooley, I happen to belong to one of those FEastern Churches that is in communion with the Pope of Rome (commemorate His Holiness at every Liturgy), and we remain as Filioque-deficient as ever, so something else must have saved our soles.
Astro| 3.17.09 @ 12:44PM
As I understand it, in the 5th Century the British Isles were populated by the Celts and an invading group of Romans. (So, you can hardly blame the Irish for one little kidnapping, which pales in comparison to an army invasion). Thus it seems hard to believe that Patrick grew up anywhere in that region without having picked up some of the Celtic language. And though he may have led a solitary life as a shephard, he could not have been completely isolated. (How did he get his food? How did he know when and where to take the sheep for grazing or shearing?) He must have interacted with the Celts in England and Ireland, and since he was very intelligent he must have learned the language. -- I don't think he escaped, I think he got bored.
The Romans may have looked down on the Celts and wild and barbaric, but the indigenous Celts in England weren't much different than the Celts in Ireland, Scotland or Wales. I think people forget that this was long before the British/Irish cultural clash that arose due to Henry VIII.
Stuart Koehl| 3.17.09 @ 12:57PM
The Roman administration of Britain ended in 410, when Aetius sent an imperial rescript to the Romano-British aristocracy telling them to look out for themselves (the last legions had been removed some decades earlier). Thereafter, the heavily Romanized Celtic aristocracy seems to have continued governing without imperial oversight, administration breaking down upon old tribal boundaries. This situation persisted for perhaps fifty years, after which encroachments by Germanic invaders pushed the Britons back towards the western half of the Island. Under Arthur (or someone just like him), the Saxon incursion was halted for half a century.
During the 4th-5th centuries, the Celtic Church, with its deep links to Gaul by way of Lyons, had closer ties, spiritual and liturgically, to the Churches of the East than to the Church of Rome. Celtic monasticism was independent of Benedictine monasticism, and traced its roots back to Egypt and Syria, not Italy. The Celtic Church maintained its own discipline (like the Eastern Churches, it accepted a bifurcation between married "secular" priests and celibate monastic priests; it kept its own dating of Pascha, and its organization around monasteries also made it very different from the Church of Rome.
Not until the Synod of Whitby in 664 was the British Church (in Northumbria, Scotland, Wales and Ireland) brought under the pastoral oversight of the Church of Rome. I am not entirely sure I agreed with its decision.
Stuart Koehl| 3.17.09 @ 1:06PM
On the inability of Patrick to speak Irish Gaelic: the Britons in what is now England and Wales spoke a Brythonic dialect of Gaellic, in common with the inhabitants of Gaul. The only places Brythonic dialects are spoken today are Wales, Cornwall and Brittany. The Irish--and the Scots, who came from Ireland--spoke Goidelic Gaelic. Though the two have common linguistic roots, they are not mutually intelligible, any more than, say, French and Italian are mutually intelligible--you might get some words here and there, but not the grammar, syntax or more complex vocabulary.
Growing up in Britannia, Patrick (or Patricius, as he was actually called) would have learned some form of Brythonic (there were many local variations, just as you will find many accents and dialects in England today), and (as he was a member of the aristocracy) Latin. In fact, his Latin remained shaky as an adult--apparently he was most comfortable in the Vulgate that was rapidly emerging in the remnants of the Empire, and never mastered the antiquated, formal Latin used by the Imperial Administration and the Church at this time.
In Ireland, Patrick would have picked up just enough Irish Gaelic to get by, but certainly not enough to deal with complex theological and administrative subjects, hence he preached in Latin and used a translator.
Astro| 3.17.09 @ 1:57PM
Very well put, Mr. Koehl.
Another candle has been lit within my many dark caverns of ignorance.
ruth| 3.17.09 @ 2:18PM
Wow, thanks for the history lesson. I think I'd better study tonight, there might be a pop-quiz tomorrow.
Pingback| 3.17.09 @ 4:18PM
st. patrick|everything about st. patrick links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Carl G.P.| 3.17.09 @ 6:40PM
"Let us bring change to our lands, true freedom to our lands. In the words of President Kennedy's Inaugural, 'Let us go forth to lead the land we love, knowing that, here on earth, God's work must truly be our own.'"
Good words/bad actor.
JFK was/is part of the problem. 'Served as a negative model for another "great preacher;" Bill Clinton.
Ro| 3.17.09 @ 9:02PM
Great article. Really enjoyed the comments too!
Pingback| 3.17.09 @ 9:26PM
The Real Saint Pat | Neptunus Lex links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Alan Brooks| 3.17.09 @ 10:46PM
great piece.
too bad students in K-16 wouldn't be able to understand it if they were to have access to it.
to them, St Pattie's Day is nothing but green makeup and clothes
Die Recthe Ecke| 3.17.09 @ 11:55PM
Mr. Koehl, I believe for the most part, you have some good points, however, I think that the movement that was started by St. Pat, and followed upon by St. Columba et. al. pushed much of Christianity back into Europe with the applomb and flair of the Eastern interpretation that you note, though I doubt, mostly that the venue was via Lyon.
I also think it's a bit disingenous to believe that the traditions that St. Patrick, in his interpretation of scritpture died out after his disagreement with Rome was put to rest and afterward his somewhat submissiveness to the head representative of Rome in London.
Between his Confession and his letter to Coroticus, I do find it interesting afterward in terms of how the monasticism (an Egyptian Christian practice in origin) grew so much in Ireland.
But, if not for that Celtic movement, I think the march of Christianity back eastward would not have occurred.
Walking through the Dom in Mainz, some of the latin writing on some of the tombs there also came with some celtic crosses, and I also saw that when in Wurzburg. This is around 900- 1000 AD. While I cannot attest to their veracity, I did see them there. So the influence to the east from Ireland is there. Could it be a stretch that the Irish saved Western Civilization? Sure. But I see very little byzantine artwork or symbols as I get much further than say, Amalfi, or southern France.
I do see Celtic Christain influence at the time even into the south of Italy.
I think that somewhere in between is the truth.
And most importantly, no matter what that truth is, I believe it's actually God's word in scripture - we do have to remember that regarless of what human action took place, historically.
Pingback| 3.18.09 @ 7:08PM
Steynian 336 « Free Canuckistan! links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
mike| 3.19.09 @ 1:53AM
a well down piece except for the end in which this author chose to use an underappreciated holiday to further a christian agenda. alas it seems that it is impossible to simply read an article supporting religious appreciation without some propaganda attached.
mike| 3.19.09 @ 1:55AM
a correction to my prior comment, after reading the article once more it is not a Christian agenda, but an extremist's agenda.
MT| 3.19.09 @ 1:36PM
Go away, Mike. No one cares about your whiny, negative posts. Go back where you belong, under that rock you call Huff/Post.
Michael| 3.19.09 @ 2:23PM
Ah Mike, you really don't get it. As Christian's it is our vocation to, as you say further the Christian agenda. That is what St. Patrick's day is suppose to be all about, which is why Mr. Thunder gave us this little lesson.
Flower| 3.19.09 @ 5:23PM
Only an atheist would think this article is extremist. Nutjob.
Michael Dooley| 3.21.09 @ 6:23PM
Mr. Koehl: We were hear tell that the Bishop of Rome who occupies the seat of Peter holds the office of the keys. You know, what is bound on earth is bound in Heaven and what is freed on earth is freed in Heaven. Being that both the Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox were speaking potty mouth at each other, it looked like all these Greeks needed a little bump from the Pope.
Being that we Lutherans believe only in the saving power of Christ, I take it that is what you mean. Then again, we have a much different theology of the Church.
As an Irishman, I still don't understand why you choose to belittle the contributions of the Irish in the preservation of Western Civilization on their special day. At least one day out of the year, I would think every tribe sould be allowed to have swelled heads.
Michael Dooley| 3.21.09 @ 6:31PM
Mike: Yup, Christianity is an extremist agenda. As Christians we are charged to proclaim the Gospel to all and to the ends of the earth. We will not keep our beliefs to our privacy because Christ was not crucified in private.