St. Patrick: Rooted in Faith - Family Reflection Video

Growing up in Quincy, MA, St. Patrick’s Day was a source of great pride. What makes it interesting is that my Dad is of English descent and my Mom, Irish. Fortunately, my Dad embraced not only St. Patrick’s Day but more importantly the Catholic faith that has been an important part of my Mom’s family for generations.

So, you can imagine my shock when I learned that St. Patrick wasn’t born in Ireland. And, as incredible as that might be, what if I were to tell you, this patron saint of Ireland was born in Great Britain?

Well, before you lose your faith in everything you thought you knew about St. Patrick, let me reassure you he was a Catholic Christian. In fact, his story is one that predates the predominance of Christianity in Ireland and what makes his life and God’s providence in it all the more compelling.

At the young age of 16 years old, Patrick was kidnapped by pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave. Six long years later he escaped, returned to Britain, and later was ordained a priest. Now, I think most of us would want to leave the trials of our past behind and remain in the safety and familiarity of our homeland. However, Pope Celestine saw something in the future saint that caused him to send Patrick back to Ireland to evangelize the Irish.

Again, as someone who grew up hearing the term “Irish-Catholic,” it’s hard to imagine Ireland not being Catholic, but it wasn’t. And, because Ireland’s pagan members were hostile to Christianity, Patrick was in constant danger.

However, there is something we can learn from St. Patrick that applies to all people and that is how he faced challenges. St. Patrick, like the prophet Jeremiah, and our founder, Venerable Patrick Peyton, confidently placed his trust in God. All of us can follow this example, so that when the trials of life heat up from conflicts both with others or internally or when we experience a drought, a lack of peace, financial means, etc., if we have deep roots with God, then we won’t just make it through, but our efforts will bear fruit.

Both Venerable Patrick Peyton and his namesake experienced trials in seeking to follow God just as each of us do, no matter our age, ancestry, or homeland. It’s inevitable that our faith will be tested. But in each holy man named Patrick, we see a reason to believe in God’s grace leading us to see the good we are called to do and the ability to do it. Father Peyton brought the faith of St. Patrick with him first to the United States and then to world, following in the footsteps of his missionary namesake with the same courageous zeal for evangelizing men and women, boys, and girls of all nations.

At the time of his death, St. Patrick would see an Irish clergy in place and that Christianity had reached nearly all of Ireland. All because God used a time of trial in Patrick’s life to see the plight of the Irish while he too suffered. And, then as Father Peyton would later do, St. Patrick once freed wished to repay God with his life for others.

So on this St. Patrick’s Day, let us be inspired to be rooted in our faith in God, believing that He can bring good from hard times, and the grace to see our ways through even the most challenging times.

May God bless you and your families and Happy St. Patrick’s Day to one and all!

• Learn more about sainthood candidate, Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.

• Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.) 

• To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EDT, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)