Many of us, whether we’re Irish or not, will be wearing green this Friday and wishing friends and relatives a Happy Saint Patrick’s Day. Irish immigrants flocked to the United States in the 1800s and brought with them a love for their patron saint. That love spawned celebrations around the country wherever the Irish settled. New York City hosts what is considered the largest Saint Patrick’s Day parade followed by Chicago and Savannah, Georgia.
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What do we know about Saint Patrick?
Born in the
second half of the 4th Century, Patrick called himself both a Roman
and a Brit, casting confusion on his place of birth. Some speculate he was born
in Dunbarton, Scotland; others claim Cumberland, England as his birthplace and some
have him hailing from northern Wales. In his early teen years, Patrick was captured
by Druid renegades and sold into slavery. He spent the next six years working as
a shepherd in north Ireland. His living conditions were harsh, and young
Patrick endured his cold and lonely existence by turning to prayer. He found
solace in his Christian faith, and his trust in the Lord grew. Eventually, a
dream encouraged Patrick to flee to the southern coast of Ireland. Believing
the dream to be divinely inspired, Patrick traveled 200 miles on foot to Wexford
where he boarded a ship that transported him to Britain.
Upon his arrival,
he was taken captive by a gang of bandits but escaped after two months. For the
next fifteen years, Patrick traveled throughout Europe, studied in France and
eventually was ordained a Roman Catholic priest. He ministered in both England
and France, was made a bishop at the age of forty-three and, at some point,
wrote an autobiography entitled Confessio.
Throughout this time, Patrick always yearned to return to Ireland.
In another inspired
dream, Patrick had a vision of the Irish people calling out to him. The dream solidified
his desire to return to the place of his enslavement, and he soon sailed back
to the Emerald Isle. After winning over pagan chieftains, he traveled throughout
the country teaching and ministering to the people, and the Christian faith
quickly grew under his spiritual guidance. He founded monasteries, many Irish men
were ordained and, in turn, did mission work in Europe where the faith had
waned. Patrick died in 461 at the age of
76 and was buried in County Down.
Cliffs of Moher
(Photo taken on my trip to Ireland in 2018)
Irish countryside. (Debby's photo)
What can we
learn from Saint Patrick?
Patrick did not
allow personal hardship to undermine his faith, in fact his love of the Lord
only deepened with adversity. His commitment to Christ helped him recognize God’s
promptings in a dream to escape to freedom. Returning to Europe, he strengthened
his knowledge of Scripture and the teachings of the Church through study and committed
his life to priestly service. Never satisfied to remain stagnant, Patrick had
the conviction and courage to return to the country of his enslavement in order
to spread the Good News.
An Irish Cottage (Debby's photo)
What can we take away from Patrick’s story?
No matter our
calling in life or our circumstances, prayer and faith in God are of paramount
importance. As writers and like Saint Patrick, we recognize the necessity to
study and hone our craft or ministry. Determination and dedication were two of
Patrick’s key traits that are essential for writers as well. Patrick refused to
be discouraged or dismayed in spite of the negative influences he had to endure
in his early life. We, too, need to overcome rejection and have the fortitude
to persevere in achieving our writing dreams.
Blarney Castle (Debby's photo)
As writers, we need to pray, to study, to keep moving forward and to never allow discouragement to hold us back.
This Saint
Patrick’s Day, I’ll remember a courageous man who answered God’s call, a man
who inspires me to persevere in both my faith and my writing.
Share any
thoughts you have about Patrick’s tenacity and strength as well as the traits that
buoy you on your writing journey.
Happy Saint
Patrick’s Day to all!
Wishing you
abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
Cover Reveal for my June release:
AMISH BLAST INVESTIGATION
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A deadly
explosion.
A dangerous search for the truth.
After an explosion rocks Becca Klein’s bakery and kills one of her customers,
she teams up with the victim’s son to find justice. Though estranged from his
father, Englischer Luke Snyder is compelled to help the Amish woman uncover why his father
died. But ruthless killers believe Luke’s father gave Becca something they
want, and they’ll stop at nothing to get it. Can Luke keep Becca safe until
they discover the truth?
