Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Patrick, Bishop, Missionary

The Book of Armagh or Codex Ardmachanus (Irish: Leabhar Ard Mhacha), Folio 32v with symbols of the Evangelists © Library of Trinity College Dublin (MS 52)

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 17 March 2026
Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

At that time: The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, "Peace be to this house!" And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the labourer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you." But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, "Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near." I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.'

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!' And he said to them, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.'

Reflection on the Book

Wishing all our readers a very happy Feast of Saint Patrick! Today we celebrate the great missionary who brought the Christian faith to Ireland and whose story continues to inspire believers around the world. And yes, as someone called Patrick myself, I must admit this is one feast day I feel slightly more entitled to celebrate than most! I hope you enjoy the day, perhaps with a touch of Irish cheer or wearing green socks (as I will!), while remembering the courage and faith of a wonderful saint.

One of the most spectacular works of art connected with Saint Patrick is the Book of Armagh, created around 807 AD and now preserved in Trinity College Dublin. This remarkable manuscript is one of the earliest surviving Irish codices. A codex is simply the early form of the book as we know it today, which gradually replaced the scroll in the 8th/9th/10th centuries. The book of Armagh closely associated with the cult of Saint Patrick. It contains the earliest surviving copies of Patrick's own writings (Confessio and Letter to Coroticus), alongside the New Testament and early lives of the saint.

The manuscript was produced by the scribe Ferdomnach, who worked for the abbot of Armagh and deliberately compiled texts that would reinforce Armagh's claim as the chief church founded by Patrick. One of the most striking pages in the Book of Armagh I find is this illustration of the four Evangelists symbolised as living creatures. This imagery comes from the visions of Ezekiel and the Book of Revelation, where four mysterious beings surround the throne of God. In Christian tradition they came to represent the Gospel writers: the man or angel for Matthew, the lion for Mark, the ox for Luke, and the eagle for John. These symbols express the unique character of each Gospel while also proclaiming that together they bear witness to the same Christ. In the Book of Armagh the creatures are rendered in the distinctive style of early Irish manuscript art.

What makes the Book of Armagh so extraordinary is that it sits at the meeting point of history, devotion, and art. It preserves Patrick's own voice while presenting him visually in the language of early medieval sacred art. For the Irish church, this book is not just a manuscript; it is almost a relic, a physical tangible link to the missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland.

LINKS

Christian Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reading: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-10-1-12-17-20-2026/