Modern-day successor to St. Patrick reminds us the hero saint was himself an immigrant

We are reminded to be kind to immigrants.

Archbishop Eamon Martin, the modern-day successor of St. Patrick himself at the head of the see of Armagh, reminded people that St. Patrick was himself an immigrant. The Church calls on all people to welcome immigrants and to show charity and compassion, particularly to those fleeing oppression.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) -- Archbishop Eamon Martin, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, has used his St. Patrick's Day homily to remind people that Patrick was an immigrant.

Saint Patrick was captured in Wales during the fifth century and carried to Ireland as a slave. After six years in captivity, Patrick escaped and returned home. He became a monk, then traveled back to Ireland to evangelize the people there. As part of his work, he established the now ancient see of Armagh.

The Archbishop pointed out that a large number of people also find themselves displaced and in need of pastoral care. He said, "as Irish people, we cannot think of Patrick without acknowledging the enormous humanitarian and pastoral challenges facing growing numbers of people who find themselves displaced and without status in our world."

"Prompted by the situation of thousands of displaced people around the world, let us think about Patrick the 'unlearned refugee' (as he once described himself), the slave in exile, Patrick the undocumented migrant."

He concluded with an invitation to prayer, "I invite you to pray for refugees and for all displaced families at this time and, wherever you are, to encourage the hospitality and welcome for which we, Irish, are famous the world over."

The Irish are a welcoming people, but they have also been immigrants themselves. During the eighteenth and nineteenth century, the majority of the nation's people fled famine and poverty for new lives elsewhere in England, Europe, Australia, and the Americas. The period is referred to as the Irish Diaspora. Many of these people faced discrimination. However, through solidarity and perseverance they managed to assimilate into their new cultures.

The Bible calls us to be sensitive to the plight of immigrants, for the Hebrews were once themselves immigrants. Many Americans are also descended from immigrants.

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