St.
Germain. entered on his great mission at Auxerre than Petrick put himself under
his guidance, and it was at that great bishop's hands that Ireland's future
apostle was a few years later promoted to the
priesthood.. It is the tradition in the territory of the Morini that Patrick
under St. Germain's guidance for some years was engaged in missionary work among
them. When Germain commissioned by the Holy See.
proceeded to Britain to combat the erroneous teachings of Pelagius., he chose Patrick to be one of his missionary companions
and thus it was his privilege to be associated with the representative of Rome
in the triumphs that ensued over heresy. and Paganism,
and in the many remarkable events of the expedition, such as the miraculous
calming of the tempest at sea, the visit to the relics at St. Alban's shrine,
and the Alleluia victory. Amid all these scenes, however, Patrick's thoughts
turned towards Ireland, and from time to time he was favoured with visions of
the children from Focluth, by the Western sea, who cried to him: "O holy
youth, come back to Erin, and walk once more amongst us."
Pope St. Celestine I (q.v.), who rendered immortal service to the Church by
the overthrow of the Pelagian and Nestorian. heresies,
and by the imperishable wreath of honour decreed to the
Blessed Virgin. in the General Council of Ephesus.,
crowned his pontificate by an act of the most far-reaching consequences for the
spread of Christianity and civilization, when he entrusted St. Patrick with the
mission of gathering the Irish race into the one fold of Christ. Palladius
(q.v.) had already received that commission, but terrified by the fierce
opposition of a Wicklow chieftain had abandoned the sacred enterprise. It was
St. Germain, Bishop of Auxerre, who commended Patrick to the pope. The writer of
St. Germain's Life in the ninth century, Heric of Auxerre, thus attests this
important fact: "Since the glory of the father shines in the training of
the children, of the many sons in Christ whom St. Germain is believed to have
had as disciples in religion, let it suffice to make mention here, very briefly,
of one most famous, Patrick, the special Apostle of the Irish nation, as the
record of his work proves. Subject to that most holy discipleship for 18 years,
he drank in no little knowledge in Holy Scripture from the stream of so great a
well-spring. Germain sent him, accompanied by Segetius, his priest, to
Celestine, Pope of Rome, approved of by whose judgement, supported by whose
authority, and strengthened by whose blessing, he went on his way to
Ireland." It was only shortly before his death that Celestine gave this
mission to Ireland's apostle and on that occasion bestowed on him many relics
and other spiritual gifts, and gave him the name "Patercius" or
"Patritius", not as an honorary title, but as a foreshadowing of the
fruitfulness and merit of his apostolate whereby he became pater civium
(the father of his people). Patrick on his return journey from Rome received at
Ivrea the tidings of the death of Palladius, and turning aside to the
neighboring city of Turin received episcopal consecration at the hands of its
great bishop, St. Maximus., and thence hastened on to
Auxerre to make under the guidance of St. Germain due preparations for the Irish
mission.
It was probably in the summer months of the year 433, that Patrick and his
companions landed at the mouth of the Vantry River close by Wicklow Head. The
Druids were at once in arms against him. But Patrick was not disheartened. The
intrepid missionary resolved to search out a more friendly territory in which to
enter on his mission. First of all, however, he would proceed towards Dalriada,
where he had been a slave, to pay the price of ransom to his former master, and
in exchange for the servitude and cruelty endured at his hands to impart to him
the blessings and freedom of God's children. He rested for some days at the
islands off the Skerries coast, one of which still retains the name of
Inis-Patrick, and he probably visited the adjoining mainland, which in olden
times was known as Holm Patrick. Tradition fondly points out the impression of
St. Patrick's foot upon the hard rock -- off the main shore, at the entrance to
Skerries harbour. Continuing his course northwards he halted at the mouth of the
River Boyne. A number of the natives there gathered around him and heard with
joy in their own sweet tongue the glad tidings of Redemption. There too he
performed his first miracle on Irish soil to confirm the honour due to the
Blessed Virgin, and the Divine birth of our Saviour. Leaving one of his
companions to continue the work of instruction so auspiciously begun, he
hastened forward to Strangford Loughand there quitting his boat continued his
journey over land towards Slemish. He had not proceeded far when a chieftain,
named Dichu, appeared on the scene to prevent his further advance. He drew his
sword to smite the saint, but his arm became rigid as a statue and continued so
until he declared himself obedient to Patrick. Overcome by the saint's meekness
and miracles, Dichu asked for instruction and made a gift of a large
sabhall (barn), in which the sacred mysteries were offered up. This was
the first sanctuary dedicated by St. Patrick in Erin. It became in later years a
chosen retreat of the saint. A monestary and church were erected there, and the
hallowed site retains the name Sabhall (pronounced Saul) to the present day.
Continuing his journey towards Slemish, the saint was struck with horror on
seeing at a distance the fort of his old master Milchu enveloped in flames. The
fame of Patrick's marvelous power of miracles.
preceeded him. Milchu, in a fit of frenzy, gathered his treasures into his
mansion and setting it on fire, cast himself into the flames. An ancient record
adds: "His pride could not endure the thought of being vanquished by his
former slave".
Returning to Saul, St. Patrick learned from Dichu that the chieftains of Erin
had been summoned to celebrate a special feast at Tara by Leoghaire, who was the
Ard-Righ, that is, the Supreme Monarch of Ireland. This was an opportunity which
Patrick would not forego; he would present himself before the assembly, to
strike a decisive blow against the Druidism that held the nation captive, and to
secure freedom for the glad tidings of Redemption of which he was the herald. As
he journeyed on he rested for some days at the house of a chieftain named
Secsnen, who with his household joyfully embraced the Faith. The youthful Benen,
or Benignus, son of the chief, was in a special way captivated by the Gospel
doctrines and the meekness of Patrick. Whilst the saint slumbered he would
gather sweet-scented flowers and scatter them over his bosom, and when Patrick
was setting out, continuing his journey towards Tara, Benen clung to his feet
declaring that nothing would sever him from him. "Allow him to have his
way", said St. Patrick to the chieftain, "he shall be heir to my
sacred mission." Thenceforth Benen was the inseparable companion of the
saint, and the prophecy was fulfilled, for Benen is named among the
"comhards" or successors of St. Patrick in Armagh. It was on 26 March,
Easter Sunday, in 433, that the eventful assembly was to meet at Tara, and the
decree went forth that from the preceeding day the fires throughout the kingdom
should be extinguished until the signal blaze was kindled at the royal mansion.
The chiefs and Brehons came in full numbers and the druids too would muster all
their strength to bid defiance to the herald of good tidings and to secure
thehold of their superstition on the Celtic race, for their demoniac oracles had
announces that the messenger of Christ had come to Erin. St. Patrick arrived at
the hill of Slane, at the opposite extremity of the valley from Tara, on Easter
Eve, in that year the feast of the Annunciation, and on the summit of the hill
kindled the Paschal fire. The druids at once raised their voice. "O
King", (they said) "live for ever; this fire, which has been lighted
in defiance of the royal edict, will blaze for ever in this land unless it be
this very night extinguished." By order of the king and the agency of the
druids, repeated attempts were made to extinguish the blessed fire and to punish
with death the intruder who had disobeyed the royal command. But the fire was
not extinguished and Patrick shielded by the Divine power came unscathed from
their snares and assaults. On Easter Day the missionary band having at their
head the youth Benignus bearing aloft a copy of the Gospels, and followed by St.
Patrick who with mitre and crozier was arrayed in full episcopal attire,
proceeded in processional order to Tara. The druids and magicians put forth all
their strength and employed all their incantations to maintain their sway over
the Irish race, but the prayer and faith of Patrick achieved a glorious triumph.
The druids by their incantations overspread the hill and surrounding plain with
a cloud of worse then Egyptian darkness. Patrick defied them to remove that
cloud, and when all their efforts were made in vain, at his prayer the sun sent
forth its rays and the brightest sunshine lit up the scene. Again by demoniac
power the Arch-Druid Lochru, like Simon Magus of old, was lifted up high in the
air, but when Patrick knelt in prayer the druid from his flight was dashed to
pieces upon a rock. Thus was the final blow given to paganism in the presence of
all the assembled chieftains. It was, indeed, a momentous day for the Irish
race. Twice Patrick pleaded for the Faith before Leoghaire. The king had given
orders that no sign of respect was to be extended to the strangers, but at the
first meeting the youthful Erc, a royal page, arose to show him reverence; and
at the second, when all the chieftains were assembled, the chief-bard Dubhtach
showed the same honour to the saint. Both these heroic men became fervent
disciples of the Faith and bright ornaments of the Irish Church. It was on this
second solemn occasion that St. Patrick is said to have plucked a shamrock from
the sward, to explain by its triple leaf and single stem, in some rough way, to
the assembled chieftains, the great doctrine of the
Blessed Trinity.. On that bright Easter Day, the triumph of religion at Tara was
complete. The Ard-Righ granted permission to Patrick to preach the Faith
throughout the length and breadth of Erin, and the druidical prophecy like the
words of Balaam of old would be fulfilled: the sacred fire now kindled by the
saint would never be extinguished.
The beautiful prayer of St. Patrick, popularly known as "St. Patrick's
Breast-Plate", is supposed to have been composed by him in preparation for
this victory over Paganism. The following is a literal translation from the old
Irish text: ..>>SNIP
St. Patrick remained during Easter week at Slane
and Tara, unfolding to those around him the lessons of Divine truth. Meanwhile
the national games were being celebrated a few miles distant at Tailten (now
Telltown) in connection with the royal feast. St. Patrick proceeding thither
solemnly administered baptism. to Conall, brother of
the Ard-Righ Leoghaire, on Wednesday, 5 April. Benen and others had already been
privately gathered into the fold of Christ, but this was the first public
administering of baptism, recognized by royal edict, and hence in the ancient
Irish Kalendars to the fifth of April is assigned "the beginning of the
Baptism of Erin". This first Christian royal chieftain made a gift to
Patrick of a site for a church which to the present day retains the name of
Donagh-Patrick. The blessing of heaven was with Conall's family. St. Columba. is reckoned among his descendants, and many of the
kings of Ireland until the eleventh century were of his race. St. Patrick left
some of his companions to carry on the work of evangelization in Meath, thus so
auspiciously begun. He would himself visit the other territories. Some of the
chieftains who had come to Tara were from Focluth, in the neighbourhood of
Killala, in Connaught, and as it was the children of Focluth who in vision had
summoned him to return to Ireland, he resolved to accompany those chieftains on
their return, that thus the district of Focluth would be among the first to
receive the glad tidings of Redemption. It affords a convincing proof of the
difficulties that St. Patrick had to overcome, that though full liberty to
preach the Faith throughout Erin was granted by the monarch of Leoghaire,
nevertheless, in order to procure a safe conduct through the intervening
territories whilst proceeding towards Connaught he had to pay the price of
fifteen slaves. On his way thither, passing through Granard he learned that at
Magh-Slecht, not far distant, a vast concourse was engaged in offering worship
to the chief idol Crom-Cruach. It was a huge pillar-stone, covered with slabs of
gold and silver, with a circle of twelve minor idols around it. He proceeded
thither, and whith his crosier smote the chief idol that crumbled to dust; the
others fell to the ground. At Killala he found the whole people of the territory
assembled. At his preaching, the king and his six sons, with 12,000 of the
people, became docile to the Faith. He spent seven years visiting every district
of Connaught, organizing parishes, forming dioceses, and instructing the
chieftains and people. One the occasion of his first visit to Rathcrogan, the
royal seat of the kings of Connaught, situated near Tulsk, in the County of
Roscommon, a remarkable incident occurred, recorded in many of the authentic
narratives of the saint's life. Close by the clear fountain of Clebach, not far
from the royal abode, Patrick and his venerable companions had pitched their
tents and at early dawn were chanting the praises of the Most High, when the two
daughters of the Irish monarch -- Ethne, the fair, and Fedelm, the ruddy -- came
thither, as was their wont, to bathe. Astonished at the vision that presented
itself to them, the royal maidens cried out: "Who are ye, and whence do ye
come? Are ye phantoms, or fairies, or friendly mortals?" St. Patrick said
to them: "It were better you would adore and worship the one true God, whom
we announce to you, than that you would satisfy your curiosity by such vain
questions." And then Ethne broke forth into the questions:
>>SNIP
>>MORE SNIP
The maidens, as if with one voice and one
heart, said: "Teach us most carefully how we may believe in the Heavenly
King; show us how we may behold Him face to face., and
we will do whatsoever you shall say to us."
And when he had instructed tham he said to them: "Do you believe that by
baptism you put off the sin inherited from the first parents."
They answered: "We believe."
"Do you believe in penance after sin?"
"We believe."
"Do you believe in life after death?" Do you believe in
resurrection on the Day of Judgement?"
"We believe."
"Do you believe in the unity of the Church?"
"We believe."
Then they were baptized, and were clothed in white garments. And they
besought that they might behold the face of Christ. And the saint said to them:
"You cannot see the face of Christ unless you taste death, and unless you
receive the Sacrifice.." They answered: "Give
us the Sacrifice, so that we may be able to behold our Spouse." And the
ancient narrative adds: "when they received the
Eucharist. of God, they slept in death, and they were placed upon a couch,
arrayed in their white baptismal robes."
In 440 St. Patrick entered on the special work of the conversion of Ulster.
Under the following year, the ancient annalists relate a wonderful spread of the
Faith throughout the province. In 444 a site for a church was granted at Armagh
by Daire, the chieftain of the district. It was in a valley at the foot of a
hill, but the saint was not content. He had special designs in his heart for
that district, and at length the chieftain told him to select in his territory
any site he would deemmost suitable for his religious purpose. St. Patrick chose
that beautiful hill on which the old cathedral of Armagh stands. As he was
marking out the church with his companions, they came upon a doe and fawn, and
the saint's companions would kill them for food; but St. Patrick would not allow
them to do so, and, taking the fawn upon his shoulders, and followed by the doe,
he proceeded to a neighbouring hill, and laid down the fawn, and announced that
there, in future times, great glory would be given to the Most High. It was
precisely upon that hill thus fixed by St. Patrick that, a few years ago, there
was solemnly dedicated the new and beautiful Catholic cathedral of Armagh. A
representative of the Holy See presided on the occasion, and hundreds of priests
and bishops were gathered there; and, indeed, it might truly be said, the whole
Irish race on that occasion offered up that glorious cathedral to the Most High
as tribute to their united faith and piety, and their never-failing love of God.
From Ulster St. Patrick probably proceeded to Meath to consolidate the
organization of the communities there, and thence he continued his course
through Leinster. Two of the saint's most distinguished companions, St. Auxilius
and St. Iserninus, had the rich valley of the Liffey assigned to them. The
former's name is still retained in the church which he founded at Killossy,
while the latter is honoroured as the first Bishop of Kilcullen. As usual, St.
Patrick's primary care was to gather the ruling chieftains into the fold. At
Naas, the royal residence in those days, he baptised two sons of the King of
Leinster. Memorials of the saint still abound in the district --- the ruins of
the ancient church which he founded, his holy well, and the hallowed sites in
which the power of God was shown forth in miracles. At Sletty, in the immediate
neighborhood of Carlow, St. Fiacc., son of the chief
Brehon, Dubthach, was installed as bishop, and for a considerable time that see
continued to be the chief centre of religion for all Leinster. St. Patrick
proceeded through Gowran into Ossory; here he erected a church under the
invocation of St. Martin, near the present city of Kilkenny, and enriched it
with many precious relics which he had brought from Rome. It was in Leinster, on
the borders of the present counties of Kildare and Queen's, that Odhran, St.
Patrick's charioteer, attained the martyr's crown. The chieftain of that
district honoured the demon-idol, Crom Cruach, with special worship, and, on
hearing of that idol being cast down, vowed to avenge the insult by the death of
our apostle. Passing through the territory, Odhran overheard the plot that was
being organized for the murder of St. Patrick, and as they were setting out in
the chariot to continue their journey, asked the saint, as a favour, to take
thereins, and to allow himself, for the day, to hold the place of honour and
rest. This was granted,and scarcely had they set out when a well-directed thrust
of a lance pierced the heart of the devoted charioteer, who thus, by changing
places, saved St. Patrick's life, and won for himself the martyr's crown.
St. Patrick next proceeded to Munster. As usual, his efforts were directed to
combat error in the chief centres of authority, knowing well that, in the paths
of conversion, the kings and chieftains would soon be followed by their
subjects. At "Cashel of the Kings" he was received with great
enthusiasm, the chiefs and Brehons and people welcoming him with joyous acclaim.
While engaged in the baptism of the royal prince Aengus, son of the King of
Munster, the saint, leaning on his crosier, peirced with its sharp point the
prince's foot. Aengus bore the pain unmoved. When St. Patrick, at the close of
the ceremony, saw the blood flow, and asked him why he had been silent, he
replied, with genuine heroism, that he thought it might be part of the ceremony,
a penalty for the joyous blessings of the Faith that were imparted. The saint
admired his heroism, and, taking the chieftain's shield, inscribed on it a cross
with the same point of the crozier, and promised that that shield would be the
signal of countless spiritual and temporal triumphs. Our apostle spent a
considerable time in the present County of Limerick. The fame of his miracles
and sanctity had gone before him, and the inhabitants of Thomond and northern
Munster, crossing the Shannon in their frail coracles, hastened to receive his
instruction. When giving his blessing to them on the summit of the hill of
Finnime, looking out on the rich plains before him, he is said to have
prophesied the coming of St. Senanus: "To the green island in the West, at
the mouth of the sea [i.e., Inis-Cathaigh, now Scattery Island, at the mouth of
the Shannon, near Kilrush], the lamp of the people of God will come; he will be
the head of counsel to all this territory." At Sangril (now Singland), in
Limerick, and also in the district of Gerryowen, the holy wells of the saint are
pointed out, and the slab of rock, which served for his bed, and the altar on
which every day he offered up the Holy Sacrifice. On the banks of the Suit, and
the Blackwater, and the Lee, wherever the saint preached during the seven years
he spent in Munster, a hearty welcome awaited him. The ancient Life attests:
"After Patrick had founded cells and churches in Munster, and had ordained
persons of every grade, and healed the sick, and resuscitated the dead, he bade
them farewell, and imparted his blessing to them." The words of this
blessing, which is said to have been given from the hills of Tipperary, as
registered in the saint's Life, to which I have just referred, are particularly
beautiful:
A blessing on the Munster people --
Men, youths, and women;
A blessing on the land
That yields them fruit.
A blessing on
every treasure
That shall be produced on their plains,
Without any
one being in want of help,
God's blessing be on Munster.
A
blessing on their peaks,
On their bare flagstones,
A blessing on
their glens,
A blessing on their ridges.
Like the sand of the sea
under ships,
Be the number in their hearths;
On slopes, on plains,
On mountains, on hills, a blessing.
St. Patrick continued until
his death to visit and watch over the churches which he had foundedin all the
provinces in Ireland. He comforted the faithful in their difficulties,
strengthened them in the Faith and in the practice of virtue, and appointed
pastors to continue his work among them. It is recorded in his Life that he
consecrated no fewer than 350 bishops. He appointed St. Loman to Trim, which
rivalled Armaugh itself in its abundant harvest of piety. St. Guasach, son of
his former master, Milchu, became Bishop of Granard, while the two daughters of
the same pagan chieftan founded close by, at Clonbroney, a convent of pious
virgins, and merited the aureola of sanctity. St. Mel, nephew of our apostle,
had the charge of Ardagh; St. MacCarthem, who appears to have been patricularly
loved by St. Patrick, was made Bishop of Clogher. The narrative in the ancient
Life of the saint regarding his visit to the district of Costello, in the County
of Mayo, serves to illustrate his manner of dealing with the chieftains. He
found, it says,the chief, Ernasc, and his son, Loarn, sitting under a tree,
"with whom he remained, together with his twelve companions, for a week,
and they received from him the doctrine of salvation with attentive ear and
mind. Meanwhile he instructed Loarn in the rudiments of learning and
piety." A church was erected there, and, in after years, Loarn was
appointed to its charge.
The manifold virtues by which the early saints were distinguished shone forth
in all their perfection in the life of St. Patrick. When not engaged in the work
of the sacred ministry, his whole time was spent in prayer. Many times in the
day he armed himself with the sign of the Cross. He never relaxed his
penetential exercises. Clothed in a rough hair-shirt.,
he made the hard rock his bed. His disinterestedness is specially commemorated.
Countless coverts of high rank would cast their precious ornaments at his feet,
but all were restored to them. He had not come to Erin in search of material
wealth, but to enrich her with the priceless treasures of the Catholic Faith.
From time to time he withdrew from the spiritual duties of his apostolate to
devote himself wholly to prayer and penance. One of his chosen places of
solitude and retreat was the island of Lough Derg, which, to our own day, has
continued to be a favourite resort of pilgrims, and it is known as St. Patrick's Purgatory.. Another theatre of his miraculous power
and piety and penetential austerities in the west of Ireland merits particular
attention. In the far west of Connaught there is a range of tall mountains,
which, arrayed in rugged majesty, bid defiance to the waves and storms of the
Atlantic. At the head of this range arises a stately cone in solitary grandeur,
about 4000 feet in height, facing Crew Bay, and casting its shadow over the
adjoining districts of Aghagower and Westport. This mountain was known in pagan
times as the Eagle Mountain, but ever since Ireland was enlightened with the
light of Faith it is known as Croagh Patrick., i.e. St.
Patrick's mountain, and is honoured as the Holy Hill, the Mount Sinai, of
Ireland. St. Patrick, in obedience to his guardian angel, made this mountain his
hallowed place of retreat. In imitation of the great Jewish legislator on Sinai,
he spent forty days on its summit in fasting and prayer, and other penetential
exercises. His only shelter from the fury of the elements, the wind and rain,
the hail and snow, was a cave, or recess, in the solid rock; and the flagstone
on which he rested his weary limbs at night is still pointed out. The whole
purpose ofhis prayer was to obtain special blessings and mercy for the Irish
race, whom he evangelized. The demons that made Ireland their battlefield
mustered all their strength to tempt the saint and disturb him in his solitude,
and turn him away, if possible, from his pious purpose. They gathered around the
hill in the form of vast flocks of hideous birds of prey. So dense were their
ranks that they seemed to cover the whole mountain, like a cloud, and they so
filled the air that Patrick could see neither sky nor earth nor ocean. St.
Patrick besought God to scatter the demons, but for a time it would seem as if
his prayers and tears were in vain. At length he rang his sweet-sounding bell,
symbol of his preaching of the Divine truths. Its sound was heard all over the
valleys and hills of Erin, everywhere bringing peace and joy. The flocks of
demons began to scatter, He flung his bell among them; they took to precipitate
flight, and cast themselves into the ocean. So complete was the saint's victory
over them that, as the ancient narrative adds, "for seven years no evil
thing was to be found in Ireland." The saint, however, would not, as yet,
descend from the mountain. He had vanquished the demons, but he would now
wrestle with God Himself, like Jacob of old, to secure the spiritual interests
of his people. The angel had announced to him that, to reward his fidelity in
prayer and penance, as many of his people would be gathered into heaven as would
cover the land and sea as far as his vision could reach. Far more ample,
however, were the aspirations of the saint, and he resolved to persevere in
fasting and prayer until the fullest measure of his petition was granted. Again
and again the angel came to comfort him, announcing new concessions; but all
these would notsuffice. He would not relinquish his post on the mountain, or
relax his penance, until all were granted. At length the message came that his
prayers were heard:
- many souls would be free from the pains of purgatory through his
intercession;
- whoever in the spirit of penance would recite his hymn before death
would attain the heavenly reward;
- barbarian hordes would never obtain sway in his Church;
- seven years before the Judgement Day, the sea would spread over Ireland
to save its people from the temptations and terrors of the Antichrist.; and
- greatest blessing of all, Patrick himself should be deputed to judge the
whole Irish race on the last day.
Such were the extraordinary favors
which St. Patrick, with his wrestling with the Most High, his unceasing prayers,
his unconquerable love of heavenly things, and his unremitting penetential
deeds, obtained for the people whom he evangelized.
It is sometimes supposed that St. Patrick's apostolate in Ireland was an
unbroken series of peaceful triumphs, and yet it was quite the reverse. No storm
of persecution was, indeed stirred up to assail the infant Church, but the saint
himself was subjected to frequent trials at the hands of the druids and of other
enemies of the Faith. He tells us in his "Confessio" that no fewer
than twelve times he and his companions were seized and carried off as captives,
and on one occasion in particular he was loaded with chains, and his death was
decreed. But from all these trials and sufferings he was liberated by a benign
Providence. It is on account of the many hardships which he endured for the
Faith that, in some of the ancient Martyrologies, he is honoured as a martyr.
St. Patrick, having now completed his triumph over Paganism, and gathered
Ireland into the fold of Christ, prepared for the summons to his reward. St.
Brigid came to him with her chosen virgins, bringing the shroud in which he
would be enshrined. It is recorded that when St. Patrick and St. Brigid were
united in their last prayer, a special vision was shown to him. Hesaw the whole
of Ireland lit up with the brightest rays of Divine Faith. This continued for
centuries, and then clouds gathered around the devoted island, and, little by
little, the religious glory faded away, until, in the course of centuries, it
was only in the remotest valleys that some glimmer of its light remained. St.
Patrick prayed that the light would never be extinguished, and, as he prayed,
the angel came to him and said: "Fear not: your apostolate shall never
cease." As he thus prayed, the glimmering light grew in brightness, and
ceased not until once more all the hills and valleys of Ireland were lit up in
their pristine splendour, and then the angel announced to St. Patrick:
"Such shall be the abiding splendour of Divine truth in Ireland." At
Saul (Sabhall), St. Patrick received the summons to his reward on 17 March, 493.
St. Tassach administered the last sacraments to him. His remains were wrapped in
the shroud woven by St. Brigid's own hands. The bishops and clergy and faithful
people from all parts crowded around his remains to pay due honour to the Father
of their Faith. Some of the ancient Lives record that for several days the light
of heaven shone around his bier. His remains were interred at the chieftan's Dun
or Fort two miles from Saul, where in after times arose the cathedral of Down.
WRITINGS OF ST. PATRICK
The "Confessio" and the "Epistola ad Coroticum" are
recognized by all modern critical writers as of unquestionable genuineness. The
best edition, with text, translation, and critical notes, is by Rev. Dr. White
for the Royal Irish Academy, in 1905. The 34 canons of a synod held before the
year 460 by St. Patrick, Auxilius, and Isserninus, though rejected by Todd and
Haddan, have been placed by Professor Bury beyond the reach of controversy.
Another series of 31 ecclesiastical canons entitled "Synodus secunda
Patritii", though unquestionably of Irish origin and dating before the
close of the seventh century, is generally considered to be of a later date than
St. Patrick. Two tracts (in P.L., LIII), entitled "De abusionibus
saeculi", and "De Tribus habitaculis", were composed by St.
Patrick in Irish and translated into Latin at a later period. Passages from them
are assigned to St. Patrick inthe "Collectio Hibernensis Canonum",
which is of unquestionable authority and dates from the year 700
(Wasserschleben, 2nd ed., 1885). This "Collectio Hibernensis" also
assigns to St. Patrick the famous synodical decree: "Si quae quaestiones in
hac insula oriantur, ad Sedem Apostolicam referantur." (If any difficulties
arise in this island, let them be referred to the Apostolic See). The beautiful
prayer, known as "Faeth Fiada", or the "Lorica of St.
Patrick" (St. Patrick's Breast-Plate), first edited by Petrie in his
"History of Tara", is now universally accepted as genuine. The
"Dicta Sancti Patritii", or brief sayings of the saint, preserved in
the "Book of Armagh", are accurately edited by Fr. Hogan, S.J., in
"Documenta de S. Patritio" (Brussels, 1884). The old Irish text of
"The Rule of Patrick" has been edited by O'Keeffe, and a translation
by Archbishop Healy in the appendix to his Life of St. Patrick (Dublin, 1905).
It is a tract of venerable antiquity, and embodies the teaching of the saint.
The Trias thaumaturga (gol., Louvain, 1647) of of the
Franciscan COLGAN is the most completecollection of the ancient Lives of
the saint. The Kemare Life of Saint Patrick (CUSACK,Dublin, 1869)
presents from the pen of HENNESSY the translation of the Irish Tripartite Life,
with copious notes. WHITLEY STOKES, in the Rolls Series (London, 1887), has
given the textand translation of the Vita Tripartita, together with many
original documents from the Book ofAmragh and other sources. The most
noteworthy works of later years are SHEARMAN, Loca Patriciana (Dublin,
1879); TODD, St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland (Dublin, 1864); BURY,
Life of St. Patrick (London, 1905); HEALY, The Life and Writings of
St. Patrick (Dublin, 1905).
PATRICK FRANCIS CARDINAL MORAN
Transcribed by Mary Doorley
