Does anyone have a good site that details St. Patrick’s explanation of the Trinity using the infamous shamrock? I can’t seem to find any detailed/good ones.
what about using the example of water…(water is found in three forms, gas, liquid, solid…but in all three forms it is still water…etc.)
Legend has it that St. Patrick was responsible for ridding the Emerald Isle of snakes; but more importantly, it is said that Patrick used the shamrock as a symbol to explain the Trinity to Unbelievers, i.e., how God is One God in Three Persons. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). Patrick would hold up a shamrock and challenge his hearers, “Is it one leaf or three?” “It is both one leaf and three,” was their reply. “And so it is with God,” he would conclude. “19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of Him from The Creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His Eternal Power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19-20). Of course, doctrines such as the Trinity or the Divinity of Jesus Christ can only be received by willing hearts, who have committed themselves to obey whatever the Spirit reveals from the Scriptures. “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine” (John 7:17). St. Patrick, no doubt, was careful not to confuse pagan idolaters with the idea of Polytheism, i.e., the false notion that there are many separate gods; but, his dependence upon the Holy Spirit to give him the illustration of the shamrock to illustrate the Trinity, gave him success in preaching the Gospel. “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16)
or perhaps…
According to legend, Saint Patrick used a shamrock to explain about God. The shamrock, which looks like clover, has three leaves on each stem. Saint Patrick told the people that the shamrock was like the idea of the Trinity – that in the one God there are three divine beings: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit**. **
Well if he did, he didn’t do a very thorough job. He forgot to drive the snakes from Leinster house.
(PS Leinster House is where our Government sits and discusses and passes legislation!)
Alright, thank you. Wow that water thing…I made that up myself once independentally. I didn’t realize that it was an actual metaphor :).
I have heard that the water metaphor is not the best because water can only be one of the three at one time, not three at once.
A Brendan Grace joke, Fergal 
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We obvioulsy have the same taste in humour! I love him he’s so funny.