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A Quick Note About St. Patrick
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick was a Romano-Britain. He was kidnapped in an Irish raid (something that occurred more often as the last of the legions withdrew from Britain in 410). He escaped years later, then went back to Christianize Ireland, which he did successfully.
When the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes later took control of Britain, the place became pagan. Christianity was all but eliminated.
But then, shortly after 600, Irish monks crossed the Irish Sea to re-convert Britain. They had great success.
This is one of those neat incidents in history: one culture evangelizing the other, then the other returning the favor many years later. Here, Britain sent St. Patrick, Britain subsequently became pagan, St. Patrick’s spiritual descendants then reconverted Britain.
For the Great Gaels of Ireland
Are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry
And all their songs are sad.
G.K. Chesterton, The Ballad of the White Horse.
