St. Patrick: the writer and saint

Last updated on: March 17, 2014 at 2:14 pm by Denise Bossert

St. Patrick: the writer and saint 2014-03-17T14:14:36-05:00 Denise Bossert

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I stopped by the public library a couple of years ago to find a book. I did as I always do and made my way to the religion section. Most of the public library fare in this section is miserable. Not worth my time at all. But a couple of titles seemed promising. A book on the saints. A book by JPII. And Confessions of St. Patrick.

That’s where I began.

Later in the evening, I curled up with my 1st pick – Confessions. Soon after, I noticed a lovely scent. I dismissed it. Read a couple more pages. There it was again. I smelled my hands. Had I used a new lotion? No. It wasn’t my hands. I turned the page. Once again, the faint scent of Holy Chrism Oil. I’d know that smell anywhere. I stopped reading. I stopped turning pages.

I held the book up to my face and inhaled deeply. This book smells like Confirmation! I thought. How is it possible that a public library book would smell like this? Who had owned this book before the St. Charles Public Library System? A parish priest? A bishop? Had it sat on a shelf in an Adoration Chapel for decades before finally coming to rest on this shelf, where any man or woman could find it?

I drank in the aroma of the Holy Spirit and leaned back into the pillows for two hours of reading.

Here’s one of my favorite quotes from that day’s journey into the writings of the saints:

“I pray my God that he will grant me perseverance and allow me to prove a faithful witness right up to the time of my passing over, for my God’s sake.”

Uncategorized

Confessions of St. Patrick

Previous Post

March 14, 2014

A Catholic Wonderwoman

Next Post

March 19, 2014 Invisalign Braces and More Lent

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Diocesan Column Holy Land Travel Writing Let's Go On A Pilgrimage Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What character trait is praised in the Parable of the Good Samaritan?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Compassion Pride Deceit Selfishness