Saint Patrick's Window.

Saint Patrick banishes the snakes from Ireland

The top section depicts Saint Patrick banishing the snakes from the shores of Ireland. In itself this legendary story sounds very plausible. Saint Patrick caused all the snakes of Ireland to leave, and never return. Unfortunately, Ireland has never had snakes, and no evidence to the contrary has ever been found. So what could this story be about?

One of Saint Patrick’s contemporaries, Saint Fiacc records the work of Patrick in Britain under Saint Germanus. He reported that Saint Germanus, with a group of priests that included Patrick, travelled through Britain convincing people to turn to God, whilst at the same time throwing out the false Pelagian priests known as “snakes”. Saint Bede records in his “Ecclesiastical History of the English People” that this was accomplished by great miracles of healing.

Could these Pelagian priests perhaps be the snakes that were banished?

Is it possible that Saint Patrick also banished these priests from the shores of Ireland?

I leave you to ponder these questions.

The middle section of the window shows a picture of Saint Patrick with a Bible in his left hand. On top of the Bible one can see what looks like a small building. This is in fact a representation of the Sabhall or barn that Chieftain Dichu gave to Saint Patrick in order that he could celebrate the Holy Eucharist. A monastery and church were eventually built on this site, which is still known today as Sabhall (pronounced Saul). In Saint Patrick’s right hand we can see a bunch of Shamrock, which he used to describe the Trinity to the Chieftains at Tara. Also in his left hand is his crosier, or pastoral staff, and around his neck you can see his Bishop’s cross. The pig looking out from behind his feet represents the food that Saint Patrick was given by God on his long journey home. In his confession Saint Patrick writes “I said to them confidently: ‘Turn sincerely with your whole heart to the Lord my God because nothing is impossible for Him, that this day He may send you food on your way until you are satisfied; for He has plenty everywhere.’ And with the help of God so it happened. Suddenly a herd of pigs appeared on the road before our eyes.” Finally the deer in this window is meant to depict an event which is recorded of Saint Patrick and eight young clerics passing by an ambush set by King Laoghaire. His soldiers reported only seeing eight deer going past them, with a young fawn following behind with a bundle on its back. The deer they saw were in fact Saint Patrick and his fellow clerics, the last, being Saint Benen, carrying his tablets on his back.

Above this section can be found the text “I am greatly a debtor to God who hath vouchsafed me such great grace that many people by my means should be born again to God”.

As we saw earlier, Saint Patrick trusted God in everything. He followed wherever God led. He had the confidence to believe he was doing the right thing. However, this window gives us a different picture of Saint Patrick. Here we begin to understand the person behind the legend. Saint Patrick was a great evangelist, but he knew that he was worthless without God. His words meant nothing if they were not from God. Many people today feel they have no need of God. Saint Patrick knew otherwise. He knew that we all have need of God, but some of us have just not realised it yet. We all have something missing in our lives, we all have a hole that only God can fill. The words written above, which can be found in Saint Patrick’s confession, clearly state that he was eternally grateful to God for the ministry he had been given.

Saint Patrick shares the Gospel with King Laoghaire

The bottom section of the window is believed to depict Saint Patrick talking with King Laoghaire, and one of his compatriots. Saint Patrick can be seen holding a cross heavenward. He is said to have tried many times to bring King Laoghaire to faith. Unfortunately it would appear he never succeeded. However, King Laoghaire did eventually allow Saint Patrick the freedom to evangelise throughout Ireland.

The text above this section of the window states: “Turn ye in faith to my Lord God to whom nothing is impossible”, which is of course taken from the episode of God’s provision of food to Saint Patrick and his companions in the form of a herd of pigs, on their way home. Saint Patrick relied on God totally. He knew that God would give them all they needed at the right moment. He was so sure. He didn’t hesitate to tell those he was travelling with that God would provide for them when they needed it. He wanted them to believe and trust in God, just as he did, and he used this opportunity to prove God’s faithfulness to them.