“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9).

Two classic Christian biographies were written within a few decades by two very different churchmen. One belongs to Augustine of Hippo, the great theologian of his era. The other was written by Patrick of Ireland.

Both of these works were known as Confessions. Not much room for pride with a title bearing such a name. Nowadays we strive for grand and eye catching titles. All Augustine and Patrick wanted to do was tell the world that they were sinners saved by grace.

Patrick’s Confessio may not have the length, the depth or the fame that the Confessions of St Augustine enjoys. But what he lacks, Patrick makes up for in simplicity of language. He elegantly yet profoundly states his case from the outset – “I Patrick a sinner”.

These four words capture the need of man, the need of the heart – we must be forgiven by God. This was Patrick’s mission, to transform Ireland through preaching forgiveness of sins by Christ alone.

Augustine was a great man who served amid the violent upheavals of the early 5th Century AD. The Roman world was collapsing and the Christian Church was labouring in a most uncertain period. It was from Ireland a new light would shine sending a gleam across the waves. This was the message that transformed the shepherd slave who would set Ireland free from the power of the Druids to serve the risen Christ. It all began with a young boy’s confession – “I Patrick a sinner”.

Patrick’s parents weeping,
For their lost son praying.
Cruelly taken by evil hand,
Enslaved in the fields of Ireland.

Across the sea a young boy prayed,
With a conscience stirred,
A stone stuck in the moss,
Lifted up at the cross.

He never forgot the great grace,
Assuring him of a heavenly place,
And so his Confession was born,
Of a heart that had been reborn.