St. Patrick was born in the year 389 in the Roman colony of Britain.  As the Roman Empire collapsed, Irish pirates crossed the channel and invaded Britain, taking many captives as slaves, including the sixteen-year-old Patrick.  In Ireland his master put him to work watching over herds of animals as they grazed.  However, this enslavement led to a great good.

The Old Testament Book of Genesis tells the story of how the sons of Jacob were jealous of their brother Joseph and sold him into slavery.  Joseph rose to a position of power in the service of the Egyptian ruler and was able to save his family from famine.  He held no grudge against them but rather saw the hand of God in their treachery.  At their reunion he told them, “Do not be distressed, and do not be angry with yourselves for having sold me here. It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you” (Genesis 45: 5).

Similarly, during his six years of enslavement, when he spent long hours alone as he tended the herds, Patrick prayed and the merciful love of God filled his heart.  In his autobiography, “The Confession,” he wrote that the “love of God and faith grew, and the spirit was moved.”

Eventually he escaped and returned to Britain where in a dream he saw a native of Ireland calling him back.  He felt God was telling him to return in order to share the merciful love of God that was in his heart. He went to Gaul (France) where he was eventually ordained a priest and a bishop.  Then he went back to the place of his slavery.

Having learned the Irish language and culture during his six years of captivity, he was able to preach to the people in ways that opened them up to the faith.  The seeds that he planted took root and bore fruit.  Over the centuries, Irish monks and missionaries preserved the faith and learning, and spread them throughout the world.

The stories of Joseph of the Old Testament and of St. Patrick are stories of hope.  The power of light is stronger than the power of darkness.  The power of merciful love can overcome all bitter resentments.  Prayer is never useless but opens us up to the power of that light and love.  While our faith and trust in God will always be tested, we can hold fast to it by frequently repeating the words of St. Paul: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8: 28).