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After three days we reached land, and for twenty-eight days journeyed through uninhabited country, and the food ran out and hunger overtook them; and one day the steersman began saying: 'Why is it, Christian? You say your God is great and all-powerful; then why can you not pray for us? For we may perish of hunger; it is unlikely indeed that we shall ever see another human being.' In fact, I said to them, confidently: 'Be converted by faith with all your heart to my Lord God, because nothing is impossible for him, so that today he will send food for you on your road, until you be sated, because everywhere he abounds.' And with God's help this came to pass; and behold, a herd of swine appeared on the road before our eyes, and they slew many of them, and remained there for two nights, and the were full of their meat and well restored, for many of them had fainted and would otherwise have been left half dead by the wayside. And after this they gave the utmost thanks to God, and I was esteemed in their eyes, and from that day they had food abundantly.

Saint Patrick#21

FaithHardshipJourneyProvidenceSurvival

About this quote

What does it mean?
A narrative of famine where faith leads to finding food (swine) through divine intervention.
In plain terms
When we ran out of food, faith led us to find animals to eat.
What can you take from it?
Trust in divine provision during desperate times.

Where it applies

  • hardship
  • travel
  • crisis

Putting it to work

  • endurance
  • faith-based decision making
  • community survival

Questions to consider

  • How do you find hope in scarcity?
  • What sustains you in hard times?

Another view

The story assumes divine intervention caused the discovery of food which is unverifiable.

More from Saint Patrick

  1. I used to stay out in the forests and on the mountain and I would wake up before daylight to pray in the snow, in icy coldness, in rain, and I used to feel nei…

    Permalink to quote #20
  2. A second time, after many years, I was taken captive. On the first night I accordingly remained with my captors, but I heard a divine prophecy, saying to me: '…

    Permalink to quote #22
  3. Therefore be amazed, you great and small who fear God, and you men of God, eloquent speakers, listen and contemplate. Who was it summoned me, a fool, from the …

    Permalink to quote #19

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