The Festival of St. Patrick, Bishop and Confessor
Posted on March 17, 2026 by under
Scripture: Hebrews 7:23-27 (NKJV)
7:23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
Devotion
The task of a priest is to intercede to God on behalf of men, so that God might be favorable toward men and bless them. Because of men’s grievous sins against God, this requires a sacrifice and the shedding of blood for atonement, so that God might be appeased and forgive those who have sinned against Him.
The Levitical priesthood was a teaching tool, reminding the Israelites of this need for someone to intercede for them and atone for their sins. But the Levitical priesthood was not able to accomplish the atonement that it taught. Its priests were sinners themselves, and subject to the curse of death. Jesus Christ alone, who is holy and undefiled, is our Intercessor and High Priest. He atoned for our sins by offering Himself upon the cross, thereby obtaining favor for us in the sight of God the Father. This atonement happened “once for all,” but now He continues to make intercession for us by daily forgiving all who come to Him in faith.
Pastors, since they do not make sacrifices for sin, are not like the Levitical priests. Rather, they are stewards whom Jesus Christ uses to give out the gifts that His atoning sacrifice has won. St. Patrick was such a steward to the Irish people, bringing to them the Gospel and Holy Baptism.
Collect: O God, Who didst call Patrick to preach the Gospel, grant to Thy servants steadfastness in the confession of the true faith that they would preach that unchanging Gospel in the midst of the darkness of this age; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for Laetare Sunday
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of Thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Season of Lent
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
