Entrance Hymn: Hail, Glorious St Patrick

Today’s Mass of St Patrick will largely be in English but some people may like to have some parts of the Mass in Irish. This is how we will begin the Mass:

In ainm an Athar agus an Mhic agus an Spioraid Naoimh. Amen.

Sagart: Grásta ár dTiarna íosa Críost agus grá Dé agus cumann an Spioraid Naoimh libh go léir.
Pobal: Agus le do spriod féin.

Offertory Response: Moladh go deo le Dia (Blessed be God forever)

 St Patrick

St Patrick was born very probably in the early years of the fifth century in the Roman colony of Britain. He was taken captive at the age of sixteen and brought to Ireland where he was sold as a slave. He tended herds on Slemish mountain for six years. His captivity had a very positive effect on his spiritual life. He prayed many times each day, his faith growing stronger and his love and reverence for God increasing. He escaped back home at the age of twenty-two. It was obvious to him that God was calling him to return to bring the faith to the Irish. He studied probably in France and returned to Ireland as bishop c. 457 or as early as 432 according to another tradition. His mission as not immediately successful but eventually he would make a tremendous number of converts. Two writings survive: the Letter to Coroticus, a protest to the soldiers of a British prince who had killed some converts and sold others as slaves; his Confessions, written near the end of his life. We do not just celebrate our Irishness today but, primarily, we rejoice in our Christian faith.

Collection at Masses today is for the boiler fund.

A Mhuire Mháthair