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St. Patrick: His Confession and Other Works
Discover St. Patrick's relevance for the 21st century through his
Confessio and Letter to Coroticus and
the beautiful discourse of Pope John
Paul II given in Drogheda. With fuller
appreciation, pray with St. Patrick in a
newly composed Novena based on
early Irish source.
Confessio and Letter to Coroticus and
the beautiful discourse of Pope John
Paul II given in Drogheda. With fuller
appreciation, pray with St. Patrick in a
newly composed Novena based on
early Irish source.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
18 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Patrick of Ireland
65 books41 followers(born perhaps 389)
Christian missionary Saint Patrick serves as patron of Ireland.
Saint Patrick reputedly founded Armagh.
People most generally recognize Patrick as a Romano-Briton and formally Saint Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille.
From two authentic letters that survive come the only universally accepted details of his life. From Britain, Irish raiders captured Patrick, then sixteen years of age circa 415, and took him as a slave; he lived for six years before he escaped circa 421 and returned to his family. After entering the Church, he returned as an ordained bishop in the north and west of the island, but we know little about the places, where he worked.
People came to revere Patrick before the 7th century. Patrick early tried to establish the diocesan model, but after his time, the Irish monastery system evolved, and the church developed otherwise.
From the 7th century onward, later hagiographies, now not accepted without detailed criticism, provide most available details of his life.
Uncritical acceptance of the Annals of Ulster implies that he lived from 340, ministered from 428 onward in modern north, and died in 440. We cannot fix the dates of life of Patrick with certainty, but on a widespread interpretation, he acted during the second half of the 5th century. People celebrate Saint Patrick's Day, that of his rebirth unto eternal life, on 17 March as a liturgical and secular holiday. This solemnity and a holy day of obligation in the dioceses can celebrate the emerald isle.
Christian missionary Saint Patrick serves as patron of Ireland.
Saint Patrick reputedly founded Armagh.
People most generally recognize Patrick as a Romano-Briton and formally Saint Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille.
From two authentic letters that survive come the only universally accepted details of his life. From Britain, Irish raiders captured Patrick, then sixteen years of age circa 415, and took him as a slave; he lived for six years before he escaped circa 421 and returned to his family. After entering the Church, he returned as an ordained bishop in the north and west of the island, but we know little about the places, where he worked.
People came to revere Patrick before the 7th century. Patrick early tried to establish the diocesan model, but after his time, the Irish monastery system evolved, and the church developed otherwise.
From the 7th century onward, later hagiographies, now not accepted without detailed criticism, provide most available details of his life.
Uncritical acceptance of the Annals of Ulster implies that he lived from 340, ministered from 428 onward in modern north, and died in 440. We cannot fix the dates of life of Patrick with certainty, but on a widespread interpretation, he acted during the second half of the 5th century. People celebrate Saint Patrick's Day, that of his rebirth unto eternal life, on 17 March as a liturgical and secular holiday. This solemnity and a holy day of obligation in the dioceses can celebrate the emerald isle.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 25, 2025
I read this book as I sat in the backseat while driving through the winding Irish countryside. It was incredible to explore the only remaining works of St. Patrick, along with a short biography, as I visited various sites linked to his mission. St. Patrick is my patron, but I didn’t know much about him before this trip. The biography offers great insights into his life and mission in just twenty-five short pages.
One of the most compelling details is the name given to him by Pope Celestine when he sent Patrick to be the apostle of Ireland. He was named "Patricius," derived from "pater civium," which means "father of the people"—a title that truly reflects his role. Even more enlightening than the biography were his own writings, which authentically reveal the nature of the man as a Saint.
Almost everyone in America knows who St. Patrick is because of the holiday celebrated in his honor, yet few can tell you much about him. He was genuinely a humble man, and the reason his mission was successful was his awareness of his own inadequacy for it. This humility created in Patrick "an emptiness that God filled with Himself," which ultimately helped him convert an entire nation. If you ever visit Ireland, I highly recommend bringing this book with you.
One of the most compelling details is the name given to him by Pope Celestine when he sent Patrick to be the apostle of Ireland. He was named "Patricius," derived from "pater civium," which means "father of the people"—a title that truly reflects his role. Even more enlightening than the biography were his own writings, which authentically reveal the nature of the man as a Saint.
Almost everyone in America knows who St. Patrick is because of the holiday celebrated in his honor, yet few can tell you much about him. He was genuinely a humble man, and the reason his mission was successful was his awareness of his own inadequacy for it. This humility created in Patrick "an emptiness that God filled with Himself," which ultimately helped him convert an entire nation. If you ever visit Ireland, I highly recommend bringing this book with you.
May 31, 2018
For the whole of the fifth century in Britain and Ireland, we have precisely one contemporary writer: Patricius. From the historian's point of view, it's therefore a shame that he didn't write a detailed history of his times, this most momentous century when Britain went from being divided between Empire and Caledonians, to a congerie of competing kingdoms of Britons, Romano-Britons, Gaels, Picts, Angles, Saxons, Jutes and no doubt more besides. But from Patrick's point of view, as he makes clear in his Confessions, he had more important work to do. Born in Britain, Patricius was taken by the slave traders as a boy and sold to Ireland, where he lived as a shepherd. It was a hard life, but one that forged his extraordinarily intimate life in God. Prayer, in sun and rain, in wind and calm, under cloud and under stars, formed him, and God called him forth. These are Patrick's memories, written forth in answer to an attempt to discredit him and his work. For having brought him from Ireland, God sent him back again: the first man, at least in the west, to break the mental and cultural boundary between Rome and beyond, between civilisation and barbarian, beyond the world and what lay beyond the end of the world. Because Patrick did that: he went beyond the world's ending and found a world there and made it anew. This is the most personal and moving of testimonies, by a man who placed his entire life at the service of the people of Ireland. For a thousand years and more, that sacrifice held good. Would that it will again.
August 26, 2023
It’s a shame there isn’t more surviving documentation from this incredible saint. But this collection has a nice mix of the two surviving works and a couple homilies that give a compelling picture of ol’ Patty.
July 12, 2020
In some ways, a fantastic primer to the study of St Patrick as a historic figure - I was unaware that there are indeed two primary sources attributed to St Patrick, which bear all the hallmarks of the writing of a Saint of the Church. This excellent edition includes a translation of both works, a great sermon of Pope John Paul II delivered in Ireland on the topic of St Patrick and civil activism, a 9-day novena devotion built around the prayer of St Patrick and Scripture, and finally a Liturgy for St Patrick’s Day, and a really thorough annotated recommended reading list to further the readers study of St Patrick, and early Western Christendom, especially in Britain & Ireland.
May 25, 2016
How much do you know about St. Patrick? I bet not much, besides his being the Apostle of Ireland who cast out snakes and taught about the Holy Trinity using a shamrock.
St. Patrick himself didn't leave much writing. This book is a compilation of the few writings by himself and some others written about him by other people. It also includes the complete version of the famous prayer of "St. Patrick's Breastplate."
An essential read for Catholics especially those interested in hagiography.
St. Patrick himself didn't leave much writing. This book is a compilation of the few writings by himself and some others written about him by other people. It also includes the complete version of the famous prayer of "St. Patrick's Breastplate."
An essential read for Catholics especially those interested in hagiography.
January 7, 2024
An inspiring and heroic story!
May 7, 2024
Pope-ish, but encouraging, and his confession full of wisdom.
March 20, 2025
I found only the first half of this collection worth listening to (the bits by Patrick himself). A very grateful man who God accomplished great things through.
March 16, 2023
Who knew St. Patrick was such an awesome guy. The faith and humility of this man are insane. O'Donoghue translated this well. His bit addressing the United Nations in the middle was interesting, but I'm not sure it was totally biblically based on his views of violence. Regardless, learning about h
Patricks destruction of the Druid cult and conversion of the pagans inspired me. He's definitely a lot cooler than the leprechauns, clover, and beer day gives him credit for.
Patricks destruction of the Druid cult and conversion of the pagans inspired me. He's definitely a lot cooler than the leprechauns, clover, and beer day gives him credit for.
April 4, 2022
This is a beautiful collection of St. Patrick's writings, which also includes a short biography, a 1979 speech by Pope John Paul II given in Ireland (a call to peace in the midst of violence), a devotional novena by the editor, and a transcript of the official Irish St. Patrick's Day mass.
I loved reading each section. Overall, this collection brought a deep sense of connectedness to my heart. Reading the biography in particular, you read about the supernatural grace on Patrick's life, the mentors who helped and commissioned him, the disciples who followed after him. Each served to bring and extend the Kingdom of God in their time. Perhaps the reason I know Jesus today is in part because of the work of Patrick and these saints.
The homily by JP2 was a welcome addition as well. It is a clear call to peace, and I can't help but think that it was truly the gospel that St. Patrick preached that brought an end to the violence in Northern Ireland.
The mass is a remarkable exploration of evangelism, and it contains many of the potent calls to prophecy, preaching and evangelism from the holy scriptures. It is only appropriate in the context of the life of St. Patrick, one of history's greatest evangelists and apostles.
I loved reading each section. Overall, this collection brought a deep sense of connectedness to my heart. Reading the biography in particular, you read about the supernatural grace on Patrick's life, the mentors who helped and commissioned him, the disciples who followed after him. Each served to bring and extend the Kingdom of God in their time. Perhaps the reason I know Jesus today is in part because of the work of Patrick and these saints.
The homily by JP2 was a welcome addition as well. It is a clear call to peace, and I can't help but think that it was truly the gospel that St. Patrick preached that brought an end to the violence in Northern Ireland.
The mass is a remarkable exploration of evangelism, and it contains many of the potent calls to prophecy, preaching and evangelism from the holy scriptures. It is only appropriate in the context of the life of St. Patrick, one of history's greatest evangelists and apostles.
November 30, 2019
This book has two works written by St. Patrick and are good material if you are interested in the catholic faith or Irish culture. There are other works in this book about St. Patrick written much later which give some information about him but are not as informative as I would have liked. If you want a short read on the Saint this is a good place to start.
The letter from Pope St. John Paul II is nice but doesn’t have that much to do with St. Patrick. Finally the devotionals to the saint are worth reading for pious and scholarly reasons.
The letter from Pope St. John Paul II is nice but doesn’t have that much to do with St. Patrick. Finally the devotionals to the saint are worth reading for pious and scholarly reasons.
April 7, 2024
Couldn’t put it down. I really actually read most of this in a couple of hours, but there was a Novena in this so I began that Mar 9, 2024 to finish today on March 17. 2024. Refreshing virtually all scholars believe the authentic true authorship of both the Confession & the Letter. I also loved the “Life of” by Moran. I think an oral reading of one of the three should be done every St Patrick’s Day in any/every parish with Irish Heritage. All good one-sitting reads, great vibes, heartfelt. Over the course of this reading, & praying with it the next day I genuinely formed a much deeper bond with St Patrick. He is no longer just legendary hero, spiritual ancestor, cultural icon, role model of virtue & selfless love, he is now also a very good friend who I can relate to & chat with. The Novena meditation topics were curious choices on the surface, but I greatly loved praying with them, especially unexpectedly the Flight Into Egypt one with St Joseph! Finally his travels around Ireland sounded very Gandalf-esque which I also of course loved. A wonderful read for all (Christian & non-Christian). Hail Glorious St Patrick!
May 3, 2021
A wonderful collection of the great Apostle to Ireland’s writings and history. What God was able to do through this humble Saint is nothing short of miraculous. It is chock full of novenas, that I am going to incorporate into the prayer life of my family. It is no wonder that this great man is celebrated every year and is known worldwide. I recommend this book to anyone who needs inspiration to draw nearer to God and improve their prayer life. This little book has influenced me more than any devotional book I have ever read, with the exception of St. Augustine’s Confessions.
October 10, 2024
A short little book, but I was grateful to expand and fill out my lack of knowledge of who St Patrick was. It isn't totally clear to me from his writings whether or not Patrick believed the Catholic false gospel or the true gospel of grace alone. Understandably, this book is written by Catholics so it includes some "tradition" that isn't worth much.
I'm grateful that Patrick (a Briton by birth) brought the knowledge of Christ to Ireland. Yet another way that England improved the world around it :P
I'm grateful that Patrick (a Briton by birth) brought the knowledge of Christ to Ireland. Yet another way that England improved the world around it :P
March 24, 2025
I really liked what Patrick himself had to say, but much of the additional material was unnecessary. Perhaps it's just the Protestant in me, but why should I pray to the Father in the name of St. Patrick when I can pray to the Father in the name of Jesus?
I was pretty surprised by a lot of the mystical elements to Patrick's life, but it was fascinating to listen to. God certainly did some amazing things in his life and used him mightily to bring Christendom to Ireland.
The audiobook narrator was tough to listen to.
I was pretty surprised by a lot of the mystical elements to Patrick's life, but it was fascinating to listen to. God certainly did some amazing things in his life and used him mightily to bring Christendom to Ireland.
The audiobook narrator was tough to listen to.
June 6, 2023
The two works written by St. Patrick were very interesting and enlightening.
The rest of the works included in the volume were, I assume, added to pad out the book, and I'm not entirely sure of the relevance of the homily by John Paul II. As a Protestant, I can't really recommend the liturgy and devotional at the end, which were, unsurprisingly, manifestly Roman Catholic and included template prayers in the name of St. Patrick.
The rest of the works included in the volume were, I assume, added to pad out the book, and I'm not entirely sure of the relevance of the homily by John Paul II. As a Protestant, I can't really recommend the liturgy and devotional at the end, which were, unsurprisingly, manifestly Roman Catholic and included template prayers in the name of St. Patrick.
March 16, 2022
I thought it would be interesting to learn a bit about Saint Patrick, given that I knew pretty much nothing. This was a nice introduction, offering his own works, plus an older overview of his life and some other extra, including a wonderful talk given by Pope John Paul II given in Ireland during the time of The Troubles.
May 9, 2023
This short book has a combination of works by St. Patrick, a brief biography of his ministry, a few prayers, and a speech by one of the Popes when visiting Ireland. I really enjoyed reading Patrick's writing, and hearing about his ministry. I think it was a beneficial read, and it sparks interest in reading more about him.
April 27, 2025
The portions (parts I and II) written by St. Patrick are quite inspiring and were evincing of immense personal piety and humility on the part of St. Patrick. Those written by Patrick Cardinal Moran and John Paul II (parts III and IV) were somewhat forgettable. Supplemental prayer content and a novena are included in subsequent pages.
March 7, 2023
The translation is pretty good but I have to take some points off for including Cardinal Moran's homily where he shoehorned the filioque into Saint Tírechán story about St. Patrick's conversion of Ethne and Fedelm.
March 21, 2023
Some of this was interesting, but there was a definite departure from the orthodoxy of Patrick in the confessions of Roman Catholics.
September 13, 2024
Great. His Confessio is one of my favorite stories. And there is a lot of wisdom in it.
St. Patrick was a simple man that God used for the conversion of Ireland.
St. Patrick was a simple man that God used for the conversion of Ireland.
March 8, 2025
Listened to part of it. Four stars for Patrick’s works. Didn’t finish the stuff other people wrote that are included after his writings.
March 17, 2025
The Confession is a nice primer. Leaves you wanting more details. The rest of the book is fine
March 17, 2015
Saint Patrick himself did not leave enough written material behind to fill a book, but Fr. O'Donoghue wisely decided to round out this volume with suggested prayers and the transcript of an excellent sermon delivered by then-pope (now Saint) John Paul II on his October, 1979 visit to Ireland.
As one of his namesakes, I'm glad for having had the chance to read Patrick's Confessio and his Letter to Coroticus and His Soldiers. Although some of the language in both essays sounds stilted to modern ears, these third-century missives do a fine job of conveying Patrick's famous zeal for the gospel of Jesus Christ. They also provide a glimpse into what must have been his paradoxical nature: he seems humble but confident, and not at all unwilling to go toe-to-toe with Druid rivals whom he worked most of his life to convert to Christian faith.
As one of his namesakes, I'm glad for having had the chance to read Patrick's Confessio and his Letter to Coroticus and His Soldiers. Although some of the language in both essays sounds stilted to modern ears, these third-century missives do a fine job of conveying Patrick's famous zeal for the gospel of Jesus Christ. They also provide a glimpse into what must have been his paradoxical nature: he seems humble but confident, and not at all unwilling to go toe-to-toe with Druid rivals whom he worked most of his life to convert to Christian faith.
January 11, 2008
Did not read this version - rather read the text of the confession - very challenging. We rush to read all the contemporary books & authors - yet fail to mine the riches of those who went before us & did not live in plush homes, writing on computers or reading electronic media - just A thought
January 7, 2016
Short book by and about St. Patrick. Best for Catholics who may want a little more info on Patrick and some of the surrounding information. Has a chapter by a 20th century pope who was the first pope to visit Ireland, a liturgy and a devotional.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews