HOMILY OF ST PATRICK DAY (2)

THEME: LIFE OF ST. PATRICK

BY: Fr Gerald M. Musa

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY MARCH 17 2022

Patrick was born in Roman Britain in c.385. During his teenage, he was captured by pirates who took him to Ireland. There he became a slave and herdsman until a few years later when he escaped back to his homeland, Britain. He became a priest and thereafter was ordained Bishop and sent to Ireland to work. He arrived on 25th March 433. During the period of his ministry in Ireland, he baptised thousands of people, ordained so many priests, and consecrated young women. His life, teaching, and great work attracted ordinary people, princes, and the wealthy to Christianity. He died on 17th March, 461. Evidently, Bishop Patrick was a true fisher of men who attracted “a great shoal of fish” (Luke 5:6). He loved and served the Lord with all his heart, strength, soul, and spirit and the Lord blessed the work of his hands with fruitfulness. He was a “good steward of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10). The impact of his ministry in Ireland was felt all over the world, as Irish missionaries went out in great numbers to work selflessly as missionaries in many countries, including Nigeria.

Today, with deep appreciation, we remember these great missionaries who brought the good news to us, established schools, hospitals and contributed significantly to the development of our country. Do we also burn with passion to spread the good news?

1 Peter 7b-11; Luke 5:1-11 17th March