Lifelong Catechesis
Forming Catholic identity across generationsForty days before the Triduum, the Lenten season disposes Catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery through prayer and penitential practices.
Patrick, Bishop
Much of what we think we know about Saint Patrick is actually only legend. We do know that he was born in Great Britain and at some time during his life, experienced deep conversion to Christ. He felt called to preach the faith in Ireland, despite strong opposition from local religions, even though he had been enslaved by them earlier in his life. Many miracles were attributed to him over the years, and today, the Irish faith is said to have Patrick as its father. The Irish have been strong defenders of the faith since accepting Christianity through Saint Patrick. Soon after Patrick's time, Irish missionaries began to spread out over northern Europe, bringing the whole of that region into Christianity. To this day, Irish missionaries continue to spread the Good News throughout the world.
It is not easy to “forgive and forget” one’s enemies. When we have a problem forgiving others, it is well to recall the words which Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer, “...Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us....” Patrick well heeded these words when he returned to Ireland to serve the people who had previously enslaved him.