Sunday, November 13 : Saint Patrick

I must give thanks to my God continuously. He has helped me to keep my faith through difficult times, so that I can fearlessly offer myself as a kind of living sacrifice to Christ. The Lord has rescued me from so many dangers that sometimes I just have to ask: “God, who am I? … “From where did I get such wisdom?” It certainly wasn’t from inside myself. “I didn’t know my future,” and I had no great knowledge of God. And later on, who was it who gave me such a wonderful and life-giving gift, the gift to know and love God? But to receive such things, I had to leave behind my home and family … I came to Ireland to preach the good news and to suffer abuse from unbelievers and … to have my mission shamefully criticized. I have had many hard times, even to the point of being enslaved again, but I traded in my free birth for the good of others. If I am worthy, I am even ready to lay down my life willingly and without hesitation for his name. Here, in Ireland, is where I wish to live out my final days, if God will permit me. I owe so much to God, who allowed so many people to find a new life in him through me. I confirmed them in our faith and ordained clergy for them everywhere, for a people just coming to a belief in God. The master chose them from the ends of the earth, just as he said he would through the prophets: “The gentiles will come to you from the ends of the earth” and …: “I will place you like a lamp among the nations so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Biblical references : Ps 94[93]:9; Rom 12:1; 2 Sm 7:18; Mt 13:54; Ps 38[35]:5; 2 Tm 2:9; Lk 1:70; Jer 16:19; Is 49:6; Acts 13:47)

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team