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19.03.2022

St. Patrick's Day im Schottenstift


Die irische Gemeinde traf sich am 19.3.22 zur Hl. Messe und zu einem Umzug durch die Stadt. Sie feierte den Nationalheiligen Irlands, den Hl. Patrick. Margit Exel, die Obfrau der irisch-österreichischen Gesellschaft koordinierte die Feierlichkeiten. Ehrengast war die irische Ministerin für spezielle Ausbildung und Inklusion Josepha Madigan. Sie hatte in Wien studiert. Frau Madigan trug die Lesung aus dem Buch Jeremia vor und Botschafter Eoin O'Leary auf Gaelic (Keltisch) aus der Apostelgeschichte. Ein Dudelsackspieler empfing die Feiernden vor der Kirche und leitete nach der Hl. Messe zum Spiel des Blasmusikorchesters der Wiener Netze über. Der Umzug begann bei der Schottenkirche und führte durch die Herrengasse im Ersten Bezirk. Die Eucharistiefeier begleitete das Quintett VIMA, das junge Musiker aus Irland, Österreich, China und Russland vereint.

Die Predigt:

Dear brothers and sisters,

Celebrating the feasts of saints means thinking about our own vocation. The stories about the saints help us to become conscious of the principles of our lives. Would I have acted like the saint about whom I have heard? Are the experiences of a saint who lived hundreds of years ago compliant to the circumstances of modern life?
The most important message of the saints is that they point to Jesus Christ. Nobody can be counted a saint of the Church if he doesn’t show his compliance with the teaching of Christ. Today’s readings tell us about how God calls us to His kingdom. It is the kingdom of truth and fidelity which is perfect in Heaven. It begins already here on earth wherever a human being recognizes God in his life. Anyone who lives according to God’s commandments prepares the ways of God here on earth. 

The monks of the Schottenstift in Vienna very much appreciate that the Irish community chooses to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in our abbey. I remember that even during the difficult pandemic situation last year Ambassador Eoin O'Leary and Seán Ó Riain, who as envoy of the Embassy of Ireland in relation to our monastery initiated the Holy Mass on St. Patrick’s Day at our church. And today we are pleased to have with us Minister of State Josepha Madigan reading the deep words of Jeremiah whose religious experience reminds us of the most popular Irish saint Patrick. 

The holy bishop Patrick of Ireland teaches us what it means to follow God’s vocation in the world. First is to realise that God exists and is calling me personally: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” (Jer 1:5) This consciousness keeps one calm in difficult situations. At the age of 16 Patricius was torn by Irish raiders from his home and carried into slavery in Ireland. We know that his father Calpurnius belonged to the romanised population of Britain and was a Christian deacon. We can assume that Patrick received the knowledge about God’s love for his people from his family. So when he came to Ireland, he already had roots which could hold him in a completely strange situation and surroundings. “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.” (Jer 1:8) Can we imagine the loneliness of this youngster during six bleak years in Ireland as a herdsman? What could have supported him other than faith and the memory of his family? Later he returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary following his personal vocation from God. He could be sure that not everybody would be pleased by the message of his preaching. His yardstick was not his personal thoughts but the Gospel of the Lord. He should bring Jesus Christ to the people of Ireland, not himself: “I have made you a light to the nations, so that my salvation may reach the remotest parts of the earth.” (Acts 13:47) The Gospel of Christ straightens  people up, makes them think, makes them use their own capabilities for the good of themselves and others. The Gospel helps us to respect others according to the example of Christ: “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her”, Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees who wished to see him condemn a woman. Patrick knew that the Gospel would help people in Ireland to get rid of superstitious ideas about the world populated by ghosts and demons. He realized that people were not subjected to an impersonal fate. God is the Creator and the Saviour. He is Alpha and Omega, the origin and destiny of our lives. 

The experience of the books of the Bible shows us that God acts through human beings. Today we also celebrate the feast of St. Joseph, the husband of Mary. By supporting Mary and Jesus as a legal father, he followed the personal vocation which God entrusted to him. He cared for the Son of God in Nazareth where Jesus grew up. He fled with Jesus and his mother to Egypt to escape the cruel king Herod. After returning to Israel Joseph gave Jesus a home. We feel that God cooperates with us to bring salvation to the world, freedom from fearing a fate or any popular ideology. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Joh 14:6) Joseph and Patrick, two men in different times and different political systems, acted with certainty because they knew that God would act through them when they trust Him. 

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is essential and important today, as it shows a vision of human beings as God’s children. God is our good Father in Heaven who is not far from us, but calls us. “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.” (John 8:11) Everybody knows the weak side of his character. But nobody should despair because God lifts him up. Amen.


Collect
Almighty God, in your providence you chose your servant Patrick to be the apostle to the Irish people, to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge of you: Grant us so to walk in that way that we may come at last to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 




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