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Learn about the life and legends of St. Patrick. Read how he brought Christianity to Ireland and how you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with stories and activities. Also, learn about the history the Celts and Celtic spirituality, and send St. Patrick e-cards.

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The St. Patrick You Never Knew

from St. Anthony Messenger
He didn’t chase the snakes out of Ireland and he may never have plucked a shamrock to teach the mystery of the Trinity. Yet, St. Patrick well deserves to be honored by the people of Ireland—and by downtrodden and excluded people everywhere.

Retreat with the Real St. Patrick
from A Retreat With Patrick: Discovering God In All
Discover the simple teaching of St. Patrick, his historical context and his journey through Celtic spirituality.

Journey Into Celtic Spirituality
from St. Anthony Messenger
Learn about the history of the Celts and Celtic spirituality in Ireland, the symbolism of Celtic art, music and literature and the influence of Celtic Christianity in the modern world.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as a Family
from St. Anthony Messenger
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by learning the legends associated with this Catholic saint, learning about other Irish saints and participating in St. Patrick’s Day activities.

From Slave to Saint: St. Patrick
from American Catholic Radio
Listen to or download an audio clip on St. Patrick provided by American Catholic Radio.

St. Patrick: A Man of Action, Rock-Hard Faith
from Saint of the Day
Read and listen to the story of St. Patrick. Learn about this humble and courageous Catholic saint who brought Christianity to Ireland.

The Real St. Patrick
from Friar Jack’s E-spirations
Examine the real story of St. Patrick, full of adventure, faith and grace, beyond the mythic and cultural trappings of snakes, shamrocks, green beer and corned beef and cabbage.


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Nicholas Owen: Nicholas, familiarly known as "Little John," was small in stature but big in the esteem of his fellow Jesuits.<p>Born at Oxford, this humble artisan saved the lives of many priests and laypersons in England during the penal times (1559-1829), when a series of statutes punished Catholics for the practice of their faith. Over a period of about 20 years he used his skills to build secret hiding places for priests throughout the country. His work, which he did completely by himself as both architect and builder, was so good that time and time again priests in hiding were undetected by raiding parties. He was a genius at finding, and creating, places of safety: subterranean passages, small spaces between walls, impenetrable recesses. At one point he was even able to mastermind the escape of two Jesuits from the Tower of London. Whenever Nicholas set out to design such hiding places, he began by receiving the Holy Eucharist, and he would turn to God in prayer throughout the long, dangerous construction process.<p>After many years at his unusual task, he entered the Society of Jesus and served as a lay brother, although&#151;for very good reasons&#151;his connection with the Jesuits was kept secret.<p>After a number of narrow escapes, he himself was finally caught in 1594. Despite protracted torture, he refused to disclose the names of other Catholics. After being released following the payment of a ransom, "Little John" went back to his work. He was arrested again in 1606. This time he was subjected to horrible tortures, suffering an agonizing death. The jailers tried suggesting that he had confessed and committed suicide, but his heroism and sufferings soon were widely known.<p>He was canonized in 1970 as one of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales. Who are "stigmatics"? How many are there? The more numerous your enemies become, the more you ought to abandon yourself with complete trust in the Lord. He will always sustain you with his powerful arm so that you may not stumble.

 
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