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People and Politics by Patrick Roberts

Ireland's patron Saint Patrick was never canonized a saint by the Catholic Church

Posted on Friday, March 01, 2013 at 08:38 AM

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The sad news is that St.Patrick never got the official title.

While millions around the world will celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17th, the sad fact is that Patrick has never been canonized by the Catholic Church and is a saint in name only.

As writer Ken Concannon stated: "There was no formal canonization process in the Church during its first millennium. In the early years of the Church the title saint was bestowed first upon martyrs, and then upon individuals recognized by tradition as being exceptionally holy during their lifetimes.

“Consequently these Irish saints, including St. Patrick, were never actually formally canonized -- save one. The exception was Fergal, also known as St. Virgil of Salzburg, an 8th century missionary scholar who was officially canonized in 1233 by Pope Gregory IX. Virgil is one of only four Irish saints to be canonized by Rome.

“There was no formal process for canonization in place when Patrick died. He was proclaimed a saint by popular acclaim, probably with the approval of a bishop. The official process for canonization did not come until about the 12th century."

Patrick was actually the grandson of a priest back when marriage for clerics was not frowned on. His genius was bringing together the old pagan traditions and the new religion together in harmony in Ireland in the 5th century.

Patrick was the first major figure to reject slavery and for that alone he deserves proper canonization.

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Seanmor | Mar 11, 2013, 10:16 PM EDT

In addition to the 4 saints formally canonized by rome, the 17 Irish martyrs who were beatifield by Pope John Paul in 1992 will probably be officially canonized some time in the future. Sice Patrick was not actually canonized by the Church, then he is probably in the same boat as most of the apostles and several early popes - in very good company.

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cynicus | May 25, 2011, 07:06 AM EDT

Which Saint Patrick was that? There were more that one, believe. And he (they) failed to drive the snakes out of Ireland; their descendants are still here, in politics, banking, big business, private, illegal, criminal murder gangs - 'dissident,' decadent republicans and other criminals - and sadly, at the heart of St. Patrick's religion. He (or they) need to call here again - and soon!

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abhainn | Apr 22, 2011, 12:31 PM EDT

"Now there is a Facebook page dedicated to having him properly canonized. Check it out HERE." Check it out...where?

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srdools | Apr 22, 2011, 11:10 AM EDT

Our Lord and Saviour Barack Obama.........(you complete)

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ronnie4u2o | Mar 30, 2011, 01:11 AM EDT

I ask anyone where is it written? that God or Jesus said man will make saints and raise Man above Man and to give them saint hood so other Men may Honor and pray to them for favors ? this is a pagan concept. that should never been instilled in the Catholic Religion , Jesus taught us how to pray. to God not to Dead Men. the Our Father is an old Prayer that existed long before Christianity, it was a Hebrew Prayer jesus taught to the Masses.There is But One God .God is not Man & No Man is God !

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Newrone | Mar 27, 2011, 10:01 AM EDT

Does it really make any difference? It was the 5th Century!

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jacersagain | Mar 18, 2011, 07:53 PM EDT

Well said MBA.. Let us pray together.. Holy God, who art in Heaven... "May unholy Patrick Roberts learn the deed of his misdeeds (erm, Lordie God, that means his un-researched journalistic pronumsious assertatons) and save all from his further lies. May St Patrick find a way to forgive Mr Roberts and if he rejects that forgiveness, may St Patrick put poisonous snakes in his bed after he says his night-night prayers, forever and ever aiming". If Roberts wants to think he can spread lies, then truth must reciprocate. Snakes and all... on a plane or in his bed... May he grow old to tell the stories of his snake-mares... On the other hand, Mr. Roberts might... well, you know...

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casualMBA | Mar 18, 2011, 04:11 PM EDT

I must check out the OAH website, but a bit of a wink to St. Patrick's "un-saintly, status" may not be necessarily bad IF it allows people to focus not of his authenticity, or lack thereof, but this man's extraordinary faith, moving so many others to join and emulate him in exercising their faith, in prayer and deed.

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GeorgeDillon | Mar 18, 2011, 12:19 PM EDT

Another stupid article by Roberts.

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connor32 | Mar 18, 2011, 11:12 AM EDT

This article is false. Go on the Ancient Order of Hibernians National Website and click on the article that talks about how St. Patrick was canonized. Learn your history before you write an article.

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Cuanmara | Mar 18, 2011, 09:17 AM EDT

BoilerMike has it right, so don't let this sort of half-backed information lead you into any sort of disquieting moments about who is and who's not a saint. Due to the accepted processes initiated within the Catholic Church in the early centuries, all those saints whose feast days are celebrated in the Traditional Church calendar are, rest assured, truly and officially saints.

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BoilerMike | Mar 18, 2011, 09:01 AM EDT

The article is poorly written. It implies that because there was no formal canonization process in the early centuries of the Church that those early "saints" (like St. Patrick, all the Apostles, the Blessed Mother, etc.) somehow lack authenticity as saints. Not true! The Church has used various processes, all valid, to recognize the holiness of Christians, especially those deserving of public liturgical honor. Early saints were recognized by public acclamation, later local bishops lent their authority to the saintliness of local Christians, later the process was restricted to the Vatican as a reform because individuals of dubious holiness and Christian commitment were being honored as "saints". So please relax. St. Patrick is as much a saint in all senses of the word as any formally "Vatican-approved" saint of the modern era.

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gerardthomas | Mar 17, 2011, 10:55 PM EDT

Quite interesting,I must honrstly say.I never really questioned his official status as a saint until now,dear people.

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