Themes:
The patron saints of the UK and Ireland; Saint Patrick - the patron saint of Ireland; what we can learn from the lives of great people, devotion.
Before the programme
- Todayâs story takes place during the rule of the Romans.
- What do you know about the Romans? Are there any Roman connections near where you live?
- Share pictures of soldiers from long ago - focusing in particular on the breastplate. How does the armour protect the soldier?
- Talk with children about the people who protect them and keep them safe. What do they do?
Programme content:
Welcome and introduction Ben returns to the theme of the four patron saints of the UK and Ireland. He also offers some more clues to help listeners decide who todayâs saint is.
Song âDeep peaceâ (Come and Praise: Beginning, no 23). Encourage the children to join in with as much as they can.
Story The life of Saint Patrick by Sue Reid, based on our knowledge of Saint Patrickâs life. The story is written from the point of view of a young thatcher, working in the village where Patrick lived. He recalls a time when he and his friend Patrick were enjoying themselves by the sea. Patrick was troubled - he didnât share his fatherâs Christian faith - and failed to notice the ship coming ashore until too late. Patrick was captured and taken away.
Years later, after Patrickâs return, the thatcher recalls how Patrick told him that during his time in Ireland he had had a mystical experience - a message from God. He must tell the Irish people about the Christian faith - convert them to Christianity. The thatcher is sad that his friend has left againâŠbut hopes Patrick will succeed in his important work.
Reflection On the life of St Patrick and the courage he showed in returning to the place where he had been held captive. Ensure everyone is listening carefully.
Opportunity for prayer On the lives of the patron saints, their courage and the remarkable things that they did. Ensure everyone is listening carefully.
After the programme:
Talk about the story
- How do you think Patrickâs friend felt at different points in the story - eg when Patrick helped him with the roof; when the raiders came; when he saw Patrick getting out of the boat; when he heard Patrick talking about God, etc?
- Why do you think Patrick wanted to share with others what heâd learned about God? What âgood newsâ have you shared with others?
- How do you think Patrickâs family felt when they saw him againâŠand then when he left?
- What brave things do you think Patrick did during the story?
- Why do you think that St Patrickâs story is still remembered today? Why do people call him âSaintâ Patrick?
Follow-up activities:
- Find photos of people celebrating St Patrickâs Day (February 17th, the day he died in AD461, not his birth): people wearing green, taking part in dances and parades and eating delicious Irish food, such as soda bread and Irish Stew.
- Look at pictures of Celtic crosses. St Patrick combined the special Celtic symbol for the sun with the Christian cross symbol to make the Celtic cross - you can see these all over Ireland (and in other places too!) Follow the lines with your finger. What do you notice?
- What do children think that this special pattern might mean? Have a go at making a Celtic pattern on outlines of crosses.
- Look again at the words of âSt Patrickâs Breastplateâ. Talk together first about what children think the words mean. Then explore what St Patrick is wishing for - for Jesus to be with him all the time. Why do they think that itâs called âSt Patrickâs Breastplateâ?
- There are two parts to the prayer: can children see where the two parts are (the first part talks about Jesus protecting, like a breastplate; the second part is about Patrick wanting people to see that he is like Jesus in all that he does)?
- Look at an image of a shamrock (three-leafed clover). How many leaves can children see? Is it one leaf, or three? Explain how St Patrick used this little leaf to explain to people in Ireland that Christians believe that God is One, but Three: Father, Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit. Now go out onto your field (if you have one) and see if you can find a three-leaved clover!
- Listen again to the song âDeep Peaceâ - there are some versions available on the internet with pictures accompanying them. You could use this in another collective worship session during the week.
Prayer: âSaint Patrickâs Breastplateâ
Christ be with me
Christ be before me
Christ be behind me
Christ be within me
Christ be beneath me
Christ be above me
Christ be at my right
Christ be at my left
Christ be in the heart of everyone who thinks of me
Christ be in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me
Christ be in every eye that sees me
Christ be in every ear that hears me
Amen
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