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