St. Patrick: The Real Story - an excerpt
by Jim McCormack CM
Here is an excerpt from Fr Jim McCormack's new translation of St Patrick's writings, St. Patrick: The Real Story as told in his own words, which was launched recently:
God chooses Patrick
So there you have me
the most basic, uneducated rustic; an outsider, uncertain as to what the future holds. But theres one thing I am sure of, and its this: before I was humbled, I was like a boulder buried deep in the bog. Then he who is powerful came, and in his mercy not only hauled me out, but shouldered me up, and set me on top of the fortifications.
Isnt it only right then that I shout out my thanks to the Lord for all the blessings, both those received in this life, as well as those yet to come in eternity-blessings beyond our wildest dreams?
Patrick has a few words for other clergy
So now, you God-fearing of every rank, you may well look puzzled; and you, gentlemen, with your clever talk, listen up and explain this if you can: who was it that singled out me, though I was bottom of the class, over the heads of those who seemed to have all the trappings of wisdom: legal experts, powerful speakers powerful, in fact, in all sorts of ways, and then inspired me, such as I was, rather than others of this stricken world, to proceed faithfully, with reverence and respect to that foreign people to whom the love of Christ directed me.
He told me to look after them-for the rest of my days, if Im proved worthy; and to serve them sincerely and humbly; and he didnt want to hear a word of complaint from me about this mission.
His legacy - passing on the faith
My faith in the Blessed Trinity is so strong that I feel I ought to write this, and not worry about the consequences. Fearless witness to the gift of Gods love is called for, with its promises for eternity. If Im to be faithful, I must spread the name of God wherever I find myself, come what may; so that after I am gone I might leave behind a legacy, both to my brother-clergy and to the children in the Lord whom I baptised-so many thousands of them.
Amazing Grace
And though I was undeserving, and not the sort of person whom the Lord need take any notice of, being no more than his serving lad, he has been so generous with his grace-and still is, after all my hardships and troubles, after imprisonment; after the passage of many years among this gentile race; such grace I would never have hoped for at any time in my young days. It wouldnt have entered my head.