The celebration of St Patrick’s Day is not a “break from Lent,” but actually coincides with the theme of “change of heart.” As a youth tending sheep in Britain, Patrick was kidnaped by pirates and transported to Ireland to be a slave for six years. Eventually he escaped and returned home. Instead of harboring resentment, hatred and revenge, he became a missionary to the people of Ireland. He brought the message of forgiveness, repentance and Christian living. This was no easy task. He was totally immersed into the life of Christ - giving himself totally into the work of evangelization. His preaching about turning away from sin and turning to God is an amplification of the Lenten message: “Turn away from sin, and believe in the Gospel!”

Prayer:
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

[St Patrick’s Breastplate]

Action:
Consider how you are called to be a “missionary disciple” like St Patrick: - A missionary to family, neighbors and friends to again announce again the message of “change of heart” and “new life in Christ.” - A disciple to continue to learn as a faithful follower of Jesus.