Saint Patrick

0:00Welcome to Saints Alive, where we take you with us to meet God's most heroic followers. The Saints were just ordinary boys and girls who allowed God's love to transform them into real life superheroes. Their love for God changed our world. Did you know that God has sent you here to become a saint? It's up to you to choose love over fear, to be courageous, faithful and kind. The choice to become a saint won't be easy, but it will be worth it. So listen closely and open your hearts. These real life tales of the Saints from the past may just inspire you how to live your story. Let's go on this adventure together. Thank you so much for tuning into this episode of Saints Alive. You will hear the story of Saint Patrick. Some of you might know him as the patron saint of Ireland, but did you know that Patrick

1:02wasn't originally from Ireland? He was born and raised in Scotland, and though he believed in God, his faith wasn't a prominent part of his life until he desperately needed it. The story starts just off the coast of the city of Benaventa in Scotland. Patrick was 16 years old and lay his sleep in his bed, unaware of his life was about to change forever. This is the place. Men, take every strong man you see and we'll sell them as slaves and steal everything they have. These Scottish villagers are about to meet some pirates.

2:03What was that? Patrick, it's pirates, they'll take you if they find you, quick hide onto the bed. What? What about you? Where's Dad? He's buried hitting the door. Oh no, they're coming, hurry, don't let them hear you. Patrick quickly crawled beneath his bed. His heart was pounding in his chest and he frantically tried to steady his breathing. Loud footsteps drew closer and closer until his bedroom door slammed open. Now what do we have here? Little laddies room, find the boy. Patrick clung to the foot of the bed, but the pirates grabbed a hole of his ankles and dragged him out. He fought as hot as he could, kicking and pulling to get away, but it was no use. The pirates shackled his wrists with chains and shoved him down the stairs. No Patrick, please, I'll do anything. Please don't take my son, I'll come back mum, I'll come back.

3:07I promise. Patrick was dragged out of his home and through the burning village. He watched in horror as his friends and neighbors ran for their lives. The city enveloped in smoke. He desperately tried to think of how to escape, but it was too late. The pirates dragged him on board and shoved him into the hole of the ship with hundreds of other captives. He felt the ship lurched forward and sailed away from the home and family he loved. It was a treacherous journey for everyone on board. The sleeves were cramped together in the dark, foul smelling belly of the ship. They were given nothing but scraps of food to survive. Patrick curled up against the wall, overcome with sea sickness. He tried to hold on to hope, but the spare crept into his heart as he listened to the whales and cries of the captives around him. After 25 long days, the ship came to an abrupt stop.

4:11A door from above was thrown open, and the weary, famished prisoners walked up onto the deck and into the blinding light. What, where are we? What do you see, laddie? The grass really is greener on the other side of the sea, eh? We're in Ireland. No. No. How can this be happening? This already happened. Your best be getting used to your new home. Onward, march! Patrick was shoved forward and stumbled right into a tall, gruff Irishman who glared a down at him. The man took a key out of his pocket and unlocked the shackles from Patrick's sore wrists. For a moment, he thought it was free, until the man snarled. Quick, doldling and follow me, I tell this lady. The burly slave master led Patrick to a horse-drawn carriage, and they traveled in silence

5:14for days. He shivered through cold nights, yearning for home, and trying at the think of the life that lay ahead. His only comfort was the beauty of the lush green countryside, in farmland that seemed unending. When they finally stopped, Patrick looked out at a small, cozy cottage, smoke billowed from the chimney, and his stomach growled at the smell of hot stew and potatoes. Before he even had the chance to step towards the house, his master grabbed him by the shirt and shoved him toward the barn. Where are you, I think you're going? You'll be with the sheep in the barren. There's your responsibility to keep safe in the live. If a single one wonders a way or gets killed, well, let's just say you'd rather be that slush sheep. Patrick stumbled into the drafty barn, lay down on the hay next to the sheep, and fell fast asleep. The next morning, Patrick woke to the sound of sheep shuffling around him.

6:16If he closed his eyes, he could almost imagine he was safe at home with his family. He forced his aching body to stand, and face the day. He didn't know anything about being a shepherd or surviving on his own, but he did know he had to carry on. Well, I suppose I'd better start. Patrick quickly became accustomed to his new life. He was full of mundane chores, warding off predators, and long walks through the green countryside. It was lonely and quiet. But there's something about silence and solitude. We can either turn inward and grow bitter, or we can stop and listen to Christ who can be heard when all is quiet. Patrick had grown up in a Christian family, but in the chaos of his everyday life, he had never truly known or loved the Lord. Now he needed God. He prayed like he never had before, and came to know Jesus.

7:24Days went by, months passed, and the love of God filled Patrick's heart with each passing day. He found solace in his desolation and comfort in his loneliness. He didn't know what his future held, but he knew God would lead him. His faith had been a meager flicker that enveloped into a relentless fire, filling his mind and heart. Now he knew he wasn't alone. He had never been, really. To guide me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me.

8:28From all who shall wish me ill, afar and near, alone and in the mold to do. Against every cruel, merciless power that may oppose my body and soul, Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit

9:33down, Christ when I rise, Christ to shield me, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, I'd rise to Him. Six years passed, and Patrick grew from a scared 16-year-old into a strong man of God. He allowed Christ's love to mold and change his heart. One fateful night, Patrick lay asleep beneath the stars, the rolling hills echoed with crickets, and his sheep heard nestled beside him. As he slept, he heard a voice speak to him in a dream.

10:34Go, go, you need to go, Patrick, leave Ireland, your ship is here. He suddenly awoke and knew with certainty that it had been the voice of God. I have to go, I have to go, my ship is waiting. Patrick ran through the night through the quiet Stari Hill sides and tangled forest. He sprinted through villages and cities, stopping for nothing and praying for God to give him strength to keep putting one foot in front of the other. At last, he reached the cliffs, and for the first time since his capture looked out onto the ocean, the dark waves crashed loudly against the hazy shore. Patrick inhaled the salty air and smiled.

11:36Just below where he stood, a lone boat sat in the harbor. His ship was waiting for him. All right, that's the last of them, then prepare to set sail with a long journey ahead of us. And his warfounds are getting on me nerves. Patrick made it to the dock just in time. He took a deep breath and drew up the hood of his cloak, nervously looked around and walked aboard the ship. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. That pack of wolf hounds greeted him with the loricious barks and snarls chained to the ship's mast. These hounds were enormous, reaching up to Patrick's chest. Patrick desperately tried to calm them down, but nothing worked. It was only a matter of time before the hounds would betray him. He had no choice. He gathered his courage and boldly walked forward, hand outstretched and shaking.

12:38To his relief, the wolf hounds licked his face and happily wagged their tails. Patrick sighed and chuckled in relief as he patted their heads. Dada boy, good job, dada boy. But it was the sudden change in the hounds demeanor that caught the attention of the crew. Why, you, who are you? Show your face. Patrick slowly turned and lowered his hood, revealing his scratched and dirt-covered face, the face of a slave. You're not a part of the crew? I know you are. You are run away. What is this? This slave's not going to our ship. Is this true? Explain yourself. Yes. This is true, but we are lucky we haven't left for sea. You'd have been thrown overboard, get him off my ship at once. Patrick was dragged off the boat and thrown headfirst into the sand. He sat back coughing, his eyes burned. The toll of his journey suddenly caught up with him.

13:39His legs felt like jelly, his chest ached and he felt depleted. He watched helplessly as his ship sailed away and prayed from the depths of his heart. Lord, I know you've let me here. Please make your will known. I'll follow you wherever you lead. Back on board, the wolf hounds began barking wildly. The further they sailed, the louder and more ferocious our deep barks became. Their chains rattle against the ship's mast, shaking the entire boat with each tug. What's that matter with them? Someone come down these owls. They're trying to break free. What should we do? Hi, I can't stand it. Turn the ship around and pick up that filthy slave. Patrick stood and brushed the sand from his tunic. He squinted into the morning sun reflecting off the ocean and realized the ship had turned around. It was coming back for him. As soon as he stepped for unbored, the wolf hounds abruptly stopped barking and bowed

14:52before him. Good boys. Good boys. Ah, thank you. You got lucky this time. Hey, easy. I let him back on. Captain, thank you for your kindness. Can I ask you where we're headed? The coast of Scotland. Now stop talking. After many days, the ship sailed into the port of Benaventa on a clear sunny afternoon. Patrick gathered his belongings and stared down the ramp of the ship. Well, aren't you going? What? Oh, yes. Thanks for the lift. Yeah. Patrick slowly walked down the ramp and threw the crowd of merchants and fishermen on

15:56the dock. The steps turned into a jog and then a sprint. He ran through the crowd at city streets, remembering all the places he had played as a boy. He breathed in the air, his heart soaring and smiled. He was home. Hello? Is anyone home? Did you hear that? Who is it? Sir, what are you doing here? Dad, Mom, it's me. It's Patrick. I don't know who put you up to this, but it's cruel to joke with a mother's grief.

16:58My son has been dead for six years. I must ask you to leave at once. Patrick was so different from the boy who had been kidnapped years ago. He stood tall above his father, a thick beard covering his face, and he had picked up the Irish accent. He slowly walked forward and took his mother's hand in his own, looking into her deep, brown eyes. Mom, I promised you I'd come back. Patrick? It can't be. Patrick? It is you. Patrick? Patrick, it's my boy. The small family shed tears of joy and the belief as they embraced the six long years of grief and suffering baited away in that moment and all was as it should be.

18:01Over the next few days, Patrick and his family joyfully reminisced, laughed, and cried together. Now, Patrick, have you given any thought to your career? I'm sure I can find you a position within the council you would just have to clean up that beard of yours. Well, thank you, father. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. All I knew is that God wanted me to get on that ship, and I think the beard is here to stay, unless the Lord tells me otherwise. Your faith is deep, Patrick. Now that the sheep are good Catholics, they were off on me. And so did the accent. You came back sounding like a true Irishman. I'm so proud of you, but what I don't understand is how you came to know God in a pagan country. Well, God kept watch over me, even before I knew him. He consoled me as a father consoled his son, and I came to know and love him. The days passed, and although he was happy to be home and free, Patrick's heart longed

19:03for more. He felt restless and couldn't stop thinking of Ireland and the people he had left behind. He prayed to God to make his will clear, and the next night, as he slept, his prayer was answered. Patrick, come back, Patrick, we need you, we need you, we need you. Come back, why would I go back? Lord, what do you want of me? Patrick, return to Ireland. The people need to know the love and truth of God. I have to go back. I have to go back. The next morning, before the sun was up, Patrick packed his belongings and prepared to leave.

20:08He knew that this time, he wouldn't return. I don't understand, son, you want to go back to Ireland. Patrick, you can't be serious, you're finally home. They kidnapped you, they took everything from us, you can't go back and help them. I don't want either of you to suffer because of me, I love you and I miss you more than I can tell. But the Lord brought me to Ireland for a reason, and the people there need to know the love of God. I've been entrusted with this mission by the Lord. I suppose I am selfish for wanting you to stay. I trust you, Patrick. You have my blessing. I want you to stay, Patrick, but it's time for you to go. Go where he leads you. You were made for greatness. You were made to save the Irish. Patrick hugged his parents tightly and wiped the tear that had trickled down his cheek.

21:11He turned around, just once to wave goodbye, one last time. He knew his mother was right. God had sent him to save the Irish. Now during this time, Ireland was a pagan country, which meant that the people worshipped mythical gods and goddesses. They would make sacrificial offerings, and when their crop was lost or famine struck, they assumed they had fallen out of favor with the gods. Patrick knew that the people of Ireland needed to hear the gospel and receive grace through the sacraments. So before he left on his mission, he studied to become a priest for five years at a monastery off the coast of France. The day he was ordained, he boarded the first ship to Ireland. Evangelizing a pagan country wouldn't be simple, and Patrick ran into trouble even sooner than he had expected. He was speaking with a small group of editors and explaining what Christianity was when the pagan chief noticed and abrasively approached.

22:14What gives you the right to speak to my villagers? You have forbidden to be here. I'm here to help. God has sent me to bring the truth of Jesus and his church. I don't know who this Jesus is, but if you don't leave it once, it will be the end of you. Until now, surely we don't have to be violent. The chief towered above Patrick and drew forth his sword, folding it high above his head. How are maybe we do? Patrick stood his ground. The chief's eyes flashed with anger. He roared in fury and tried to strike Patrick, but suddenly his arms froze in mid-air and became stiff as a statue. What's happening? I can't move. Other people need to know the love and truth of Christ. No, we worship our own gods. We don't need any others. The chief's body became stiffer still. He gasped for air and looked around in panic. A small crowd had gathered and looked on in shock.

23:17Please listen to me. I am a Catholic priest and I promise to lay down my life and serve your people for the rest of my days. They must know the truth. Well, fine, do what you must. The chief's body immediately relaxed and he collapsed on the ground gasping for air. Patrick reached out his hand and helped him up. I'm Father Patrick. It's a pleasure to meet you. I am D2. The leader of this village. I don't know what sort of magic you just did, but what wasn't magic and it certainly wasn't me. The Lord works in mysterious and miraculous ways. Come with me. I know the perfect plot of land to build a church for your people. Well, I never said you could build a church. Oh, come on now. We don't want God to free your legs now. Patrick was persistent and relentless in his mission. He's credited for evangelizing the entire country, which simply means spreading the gospel. He traveled to every corner of Ireland, from the lush green farmland to the crowded villages

24:21and rocky cliffs. He was joyful and convicted in the truth, and it wasn't long before people began to convert. Hundreds of churches rebuilt, thousands baptized, and the bitter, despairing country had found what they had been aching for, hope in Christ. One afternoon, many years later, Patrick stood on a grassy hill, overlooking the cliffs. By this point, many of the pagan people knew of him and were skeptical that this Catholic priest could change their mind. I don't understand. How could there possibly be three persons in one God? You worship three different gods. You're pagan like the rest of us. No, you see, there's only one God. But there are three separate persons within this one God. Patrick looked out and saw a sea of doubt and frustration in the faces looking up to him. He offered up a small prayer and looked down.

25:21That's when he noticed a small three-leaf clover at his feet. He smiled as he plucked it from the ground and held it high above his head. Here, see, this is the three-leaf clover. There's only one clover, but three separate leaves that make up the one clover, just like God. Oh, now I understand. What did we put it that simply the first time? Yes, I come to you with the truth and love of God, cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you. As Patrick continued to speak, more and more people gathered to listen. A husband and wife were walking by when the commotion caught their attention. Hey, what's that fella doing over there? Well, how am I supposed to know? He's got something in his hand. I think he's talking about a clover. Oh, he must be a gardener. What kind of gardener would ever talk? Shh. I want a hero to ask to say, he might have some handy tips on growing more potatoes. Patrick was appointed bishop and lived a long, full life devoted to evangelizing the Irish.

26:38He had arrived to the country as a young, scared shepherd and became a shepherd to the people remembered for centuries. Years of his sacrifice, Ireland became one of the strongest, most faithful Catholic countries in the world. In the year 461, he was asked to write a book detailing all that had happened in his life. He was old and frail, living in a small cottage in the countryside. Despite all he had accomplished, he remained humble. He was merely the instrument that God worked miracles through. He picked up his cool and paper, wondering where to start. Well, I suppose the only place to start is the beginning. My name is Patrick. I'm a sinner and a simple country person. I was 16 and I did not know the true God. I was taken into captivity in Ireland, along with thousands of others.

27:41St. Patrick was fearless in his mission to evangelize. What are ways that you can spread the gospel and love of God with those around you? Maybe you could tell your friends and family about ways that you see Christ working in your life or teach them about parts of your faith that they might not know about. Evangelization takes courage and all of us are called to this mission. God loves you and he's choosing you to be a saint in this time and place. Thank you so much for listening. My name is Alex. I'm Melissa. And I'm Tanner. And we are the co-founders of Saints Alive. Saints Alive is powered by Hallow, the number one Catholic prayer app in the world.

28:43Hallow has supported us from the early days of our production and we are thrilled to be a part of their incredible mission. To listen to everything created by Saints Alive and support our production, sign up for Hallow with 30 days free using code Hallow.com slash Saints Alive. And a special thanks to the patrons who made this episode possible. The Lee, Fisher, and Martin families, Joseph, Thomas, Francis, and Elizabeth True, the Weber and Lynn families, Jacob, Charlotte, and Eli, Mazawi, Tom and Rita D, and Xavier, Caroline, Samuel, and Julian Spitzberg. Thank you all so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Bye.

30:03Bye.