Saint Patrick

This book is great on two levels, first as a spiritual classic and secondly, though perhaps surprisingly as a Historical source.

Patrick's spiritual journey and insights are both fascinating and challenging, and the information he gives on the governing and ecclesiastical authorities in post-roman Britain hardly suggest a society that was in terminal decline.

The Confession also shows that Christianity was well established in the 5th century, and that British Chrisitians of the period had far show more more than just a crude and rudimentary grasp of Christianity.
Quite to the contrary, the British clergy had a good knowledge of theology and the Bible, as well as connections with the continent.

Thier 'problem' was that many of them did not like the idea of sharing Christianity to 'barbarians' outside the Empire, and so did not support Patrick's missionary efforts.

If you want to know about British Christianity before Augustine this book is a must-read. show less

A birthday gift from my family, reading these writings personalized an almost mythical figure for me. Sometimes one forgets that the saints were (and are) more than just idealized figures in paintings and stained glass windows. They too "lived, saw dawn, felt sunset glow". But of course they live still, in the presence of the Lord!

Patrick's autobiographical letter near the end of his life in defense of unnamed charges against him. One of only two (Letter to Coroticus) original works. Invaluable for understanding the person behind the legends.

This was a quick read and maybe something worth owning for devotional purposes. Or I may read it online: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/patrick/confession.toc.html