Honouring the Legacy of Saint Patrick

No one looms larger in ancient Irish history or in modern Irish celebration than the figure of Saint Patrick. The story of this run away slave boy, who used his new found freedom to bring faith and hope to the land of his captivity, is both fascinating and inspiring.

Violently abducted and sold into slavery as a teenager by Irish marauders, Patrick’s unexpected encounter with what he described as ‘the love of God’ altered the course of his life. His resulting compassion for those who were once his enemies, his life long quest to free those trapped in poverty and oppression, and his inextinguishable message of hope for all who lived in despair, altered the course of Irish history.

Patrick’s vision - for a world in which every life would be valued and every injustice would be ended - and his rugged determination to see that vision realised, brought radical transformation to the social, political and spiritual climate of Ireland in the 5th century. It also left behind a powerful and enduring legacy that can bring similar transformation to the world of today.To this end, the work of the Saint Patrick Foundation, like that of Patrick himself, is a response to the issues of cultural, economic, and spiritual alienation. Our desire is to retell Patrick’s inspirational story; to positively develop the way he is celebrated in Ireland and around the world; and to harness that celebration, through education, envisioning and empowerment, to help overcome despair, injustice and alienation wherever it is found. At an individual level, very few people know the real story behind Ireland’s most famous leader. We would like to change that. At a national level, Ireland (and not only her) needs an inspirational banner under which issues like identity, alienation and sectarianism can be addressed by all creeds and backgrounds. We believe Saint Patrick provides that. At a local level, our and other increasingly diverse modern populations are struggling to create any real sense of togetherness. We believe St Patrick’s Day can address that. In honouring and continuing this ancient legacy, the goal of the Saint Patrick Foundation is thus to envision and equip all within the local and wider family of this island to follow Saint Patrick’s lead and to participate in the building of modern nations and a modern world in which every life is valued and every injustice is ended.