Wednesday, March 17, 2021

March 17 2021 - St. Patrick - Let us be Christians like those of Rome (Ut Christiani Ita Et Romani Estis)

 A few years ago, I was able to travel to Scotland with a priest friend. We visited a number of Scotland’s holy sites: like the tomb of St. Margaret of Scotland, the 15th century Rosslyn chapel, and St. Andrew’s Golf Course…and a couple whiskey distilleries…

One memorable site was the Church of St. Patrick in the old part of Edinburgh. Across the façade of the Church, was a latin saying from St. Patrick himself, that I had never heard of before: Ut Christiani Ita et Romani Estis. Let us be Christians like those of Rome. 

This saying was written in latin, Patrick’s native language: for remember Patrick was not a native Irishman, but the son of a roman Briton, born in what is the modern day village of Norton in the English county of Northamptonshire. And he didn’t speak even an early form of English, for he lived in Brittania prior to the Anglo-Saxons bringing their language to the British Isles. So he spoke the language of Rome. And not only the language, but Patrick is saying here, Ut Christiani Ita et Romani Estis, let us practice the form of Christianity as practiced in Rome. The Creed of the Roman Catholics, the liturgy of the Roman Catholics, the deference to the Roman Pope, and the courage of the Roman Catholics—the courage of the Roman martyrs.

When Patrick, as a missionary bishop, brings Christianity to pagan Ireland, with the polytheistic celtic pagan religion, he was bringing Roman Catholicism being practiced in Rome to the Emerald Isle. And I make this point today, because there is a modern tendency, as there has been in many points in history, to reshape Christianity to fit our modern ideals, to make Christianity conform more with, let’s say, the modern American secular culture. But that’s not the Christianity of Patrick, that’s not the Christianity we have inherited from our ancestors, that’s not the Christianity that was practiced when this parish was founded. 

In the Gospel today, we hear our Lord speaking about His obedience to the Father: “I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.” Even the Lord, the second person of the Trinity made flesh, bows his human will to the will of his heavenly Father. Being a Christian always means bowing the will to something bigger than us. And St. Patrick and all the saints are always wonderful models of that surrender and obedience and celebration of that higher will, not something reshaped in our own image, but something that seeks to shape us in His.

May our Lenten observances help to humble our earthly pride, and help us to be Christians like those of Eternal Rome, on the Rock of Peter, that we, like the great missionary bishop St. Patrick, may bring the true faith into every corner of the world, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

For Holy Father Pope Francis and all the bishops, that they may preach with conviction the fullness of the Roman Catholic faith. 

For an increase in faith for the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity.

That the Church might be delivered and protected from all spirits of error, heresy, schism, and unbelief.

For strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.

That through fasting and self-denial, we may be ever more conformed to Christ.

That those in need may find assistance in the charity of faithful Christians and that peace and security may be firmly established in all places.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.



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