Saint’s life provides new perspective for modern-day missions
“Little did I know that I would end up becoming a Mennonite pastor who wrote books about Catholic saints.”
WINNIPEG, MB—St. Patrick’s Day may focus on leprechauns, pots of gold, wearing green, and shamrock shakes at McDonald’s, but for a Winnipeg author it also marked the release of his latest book taking a look at the saint’s life and mission.
Historians say Patrick began his life as a happy-go-lucky, wealthy child in Great Britain but at the age of 16 was kidnapped and enslaved by Irish tribesmen. While in captivity Patrick found God, converted to Christianity, and six years after capture, escaped to return home.
“That alone could have been a happy ending,” says Jamie Arpin-Ricci, author of Vulnerable Faith: Missional living in the radical way of St. Patrick.
But some years later, Patrick returned to Ireland as a missionary.
“He had the most right of anyone to be unforgiving to people who had enslaved, and brutalized him but instead he returned to bring the message of hope to his captors,” says Arpin-Ricci.
As the Youth With a Mission (YWAM) base leader for Winnipeg, Arpin-Ricci often teaches the life and story of St. Patrick to highlight how the heart of missions and living in intimate community is rooted not in strength but in brokenness.
His newest book echoes a familiar pattern for recovery from addiction. While doing his study into the life of St. Patrick, Arpin-Ricci noticed similarities to the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The steps include admission, surrender, decision, self-examination, continual repentance, prayer, and helping others. Arpin-Ricci says the life of St. Patrick and all ministry in general follows this same “universal pattern” that God intentionally put into play.
Arpin-Ricci’s book details milestones in St. Patrick’s life and outlines how they follow the 12-steps pattern. In turn he also encourages the reader to put it into practice.
Published by Paraclete Press, Vulnerable Faith became available for purchase in March. Jean Vanier, world-renowned writer, activist, and founder of L’Arche, provided the foreword.
Next up for Arpin-Ricci is a long overdue sabbatical after serving in ministry for over 20 years with YWAM, Chiara House, and as pastor of Little Flowers Community. During his sabbatical, Arpin-Ricci says he plans to rest, rejuvenate, and write his as-of-yet untitled third book.
“When I became a missionary with an evangelical organization with charismatic leanings,” writes Jamie Arpin-Ricci, “little did I know that I would end up becoming a Mennonite pastor who wrote books about Catholic saints.”
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