Today is St. Patrick’s Day, the Patron Saint of Ireland 🇮🇪✝️ Although alot of people will spend it drinking green beer and wearing plastic hats the Catholic Church celebrates the life of a great Saint who was instrumental to the preservation of Europe as we know it and for the conversion of the nation of Ireland. Kidnapped at 16 by pagan pirates, St. Patrick was dragged from his noble family and forced into slavery in the freezing Irish wilderness. For six brutal years, he suffered in total isolation. He finally escaped, walked 200 miles to the coast, and made it back home. He was safe. He became a priest, then a Bishop. But then he had a vision. God called him to go back to the exact same violent barbarians who enslaved him. He went back to save their souls. When the High King of Tara ordered that no fires be lit before his pagan festival, Patrick marched up the Hill of Slane and lit a massive Easter bonfire, openly challenging the king, the druids, and the penalty of death. According to tradition, one of the high druids challenged Patrick to a supernatural duel to determine whose god was greater. The druid invoked demons and even levitated before the crowd, but Patrick, filled with the power of Christ, commanded them to fall. The wizard crashed to the ground and died. Witnessing this, the king was shaken. Convinced of God’s power, he allowed Patrick to continue preaching. Over the next 30 years, Patrick baptized thousands, converted chieftains, and used the shamrock to explain the mystery of the Trinity. Through him, Ireland was set on the path to becoming one of the most Christian lands in Europe. He drove literal snakes out of Ireland. He drove out demons, paganism, and human sacrifice, conquering an entire nation for Christ. Enjoy your pint today, but remember you are celebrating a spiritual warrior, a Bishop of Holy Mother Church, a Saint who is in Heaven right now looking down on you, praying for you, praying for the Church. His life and total devotion and faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ should be an example for all of us to follow. Saint Patrick, pray for us! Christ is King.