Sold as a Slave to Ireland

Remembering St Patrick

On this day people around the world celebrate the great apostle of Ireland. History tells us that as a young boy Patrick was taken captive and sold as a slave to Ireland. After working as a herdsman he escaped and eventually became a priest. He was made a bishop of Ireland and is remembered throughout the world as a great preacher and missionary of the Christian faith.
The story of St Patrick reminds us of those today who are still being taken captive and sold as slaves into domestic servitude, sexual exploitation or other forms of modern day slavery. As God gave Patrick the vision and strength to bring God’s good news of faith and hope to the people of Ireland, may we be granted grace to support and advocate for the rights of those suffering injustice and abuse in our time, especially asylum seekers and refugees and trafficked women, girls and men.