17th March, St Patrick, Bishop and Confessor

St Patrick, Bishop and Confessor
Patron of Ireland

Whilst in the fifth century the Franks, Germans, and other northern peoples had not yet received the light of the Gospel, God raised up "the confessor and bishop St. Patrick to announce His glory to the pagans" of Ireland (Collect). This holy bishop (Introit) put to such profit the talents he had received from God (Gospel) that he became the father of all this people (Communion), and that Ireland has preserved for him, after thirteen centuries, an ardent and tender devotion which nothing has been able to weaken. Strengthened by help from above (Offertory), he was great before kings and princes (Epistle). At first hostile, they ended by listening to him and helped him during his thirty-three years' apostleship to cover with churches, monasteries and schools the island which was soon to deserve the appellation of Isle of the Saints. St. Patrick died in 461. March 17th is a national day and a day of obligation in Ireland. Through the merits of this saint, whose austerities have remained celebrated, let us ask of God the grace to accomplish the penances commanded by Him (Collect).

Statuit ei Dominus testamentum pacis, et principem fecit eum: ut sit illi sacerdotii dignitas in aeternum. * Memento, Domine, David, et omnis mansuetudinis ejus.

The Lord made to him a covenant of peace, and made him a prince: that the dignity of the priesthood should be to him for ever. * O Lord, remember David: and all his meekness.
(Ecclesiasticus 45:30 and Psalm 131:1 from the Introit of Mass)

Deus, qui ad praedicandum gentibus gloriam tuam beatum Patricium Confessorem atque Pontificem, mittere dignatus es: ejus meritis et intercessione concede; ut, quae nobis agenda praecipis, te miserante adimplere possumus.
O God, who didst vouchsafe to send blessed Patrick, confessor and bishop, to preach Thy glory to the Gentiles, grant that, through his merits and intercession, we may be enabled to accomplish by Thy mercy, what Thou commandest us to do. Through our Lord.
(Collect)

From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11554a.htm