Rotary hears presentation on life of St. Patrick

Father Jonas Shell was the guest speaker at the Carrollton Rotary Club meeting March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. He provided the club with a review of the life of St. Patrick, commonly known as the patron saint of Ireland.

Much of what is known about Patrick comes from two of his writings, “Confession” and “Letter to Caroticus.” Patrick, the son of a wealthy Christian alderman in Britain, was born about A.D. 392 and was a citizen of the Roman Empire. Although raised in a Christian family, he did not embrace those beliefs as a child.

Prior to his 16th birthday, he was captured by raiding pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland, then considered “the end of the earth” and uncivilized. He served as a sheep herder for about six years. During this time, he became a believer in God, developing a life of prayer day and night. He believed God’s presence sustained him through loneliness, isolation and harsh conditions.

Patrick later felt directed by God to escape slavery and travel about 200 miles to the coast through dangerous terrain of bogs and swamps. He successfully made the journey and, after initially being denied passage, was allowed to board a ship transporting wolfhounds. The crew, he noted, were pagans.

After three days of sailing, they disembarked, likely in Gaul, and wandered for 28 days. Both the crew and the hounds were starving. Patrick assured them they would be delivered, and a herd of pigs soon appeared, providing food.

Patrick eventually returned home, received further education in the Christian faith and later felt called to return to Ireland to spread Christianity. He served there for 30 years as a bishop. It is believed he baptized more than 120,000 people, founded more than 300 churches and ordained many into the priesthood. His work was not without hardship, including being jailed for two weeks on one occasion. Under his leadership, Ireland became one of the pre-eminent Christian nations for centuries.

The club meets Tuesdays at noon at the Villa Restaurant, 701 Crest St. Carrollton.