Each calendar year has a cycle of holidays. Some of these are national celebrations like Independence Day on the 4th of July.

Others, like Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, are societal.

We also have religious festivals that take on cultural significance and influence which include Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. St.

Patrick’s Day also falls into this category as a religious and cultural celebration.

St. Patrick lived during the fifth century. He was born into a Romanized family in Britain. His father was named Calpurnius who was a deacon in the Church and also a local official. When Patrick was sixteen years old, he was captured by Irish raiders and transported to Ireland. He was sold into slavery and spent the next six years tending animals.

During this time, he found hope through his deepening faith.

Tradition states that Patrick dreamed of a ship that would return him to home. He escaped from his captors and traveled nearly two hundred miles to the coast. He gained passage on a ship that was travelling to Britain. After reaching Britain and walking for twenty-eight days, he reunited with his family. Upon his return, Patrick began his theological education. It seems he traveled to the Continent during this time as part of his studies. He was ordained a priest.

Patrick returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary. Patrick admits that a vision precipitated this action. In this vision, he heard the people of Ireland beckoning him to come to them.

Patrick’s missionary endeavors flourished. By his own account, he baptized thousands. He ordained priests to shepherd these new faith communities and founded convents. But during this whole time, he faced persecution and abuse. He spent some time as a prisoner. His faith and calling were never shaken.

One legend surrounding Patrick relates his use of the shamrock to describe the Trinity, three persons in one God. He used a shamrock, a plant with three leaves coming off one stem, to explain this mystery to others. Patrick’s life was far from easy, but his faith and devotion led him to surmount the challenges he faced. These began as an enslaved youth in a foreign land. They continued when he returned to that foreign land, to share God’s Good News.

Imagine, going back to the people that captured and enslaved you, to proclaim God’s saving Word to them.

Patrick is a model of faith, not because he was perfect, but because he trusted God. His trust not only changed his life, but the future of a nation.

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. John Tabaka is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Monroe.