| Traditional Roman Catholicism |
Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland,
17 March, 493. Other sources say 460 or 461 —Ed.
He had for his parents Calphurnius and Conchessa. The former belonged to a Roman family of high rank and held
the office of decurio in Gaul or Britain. Conchessa was a near relative of the great patron of Gaul, St. Martin of Tours.
Kilpatrick still retains many memorials of Saint Patrick, and frequent pilgrimages continued far into the Middle Ages to
perpetuate there the fame of his sanctity and miracles.
In his sixteenth year, Patrick was carried off into captivity by Irish marauders and was sold as a slave to a chieftan
named Milchu in Dalriada, a territory of the present county of Antrim in Ireland, where for six years he tended his
master's flocks in the valley of the Braid and on the slopes of Slemish, near the modern town of Ballymena. He relates
in his "Confessio" that during his captivity while tending the flocks he prayed many times in the day: "the love of God",
he added,
and His fear increased in me more and more, and the faith grew in me, and the spirit was roused, so that, in a single
day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers, and in the night nearly the same, so that whilst in the woods and on
the mountain, even before the dawn, I was roused to prayer and felt no hurt from it, whether there was snow or ice or
rain; nor was there any slothfulness in me, such as I see now, because the spirit was then fervent within me.
Admonished by an Angel he after six years fled from his cruel master and bent his steps towards the west. He relates
in his "Confessio" that he had to travel about 200 miles; and his journey was probably towards Killala Bay and
onwards thence to Westport. He found a ship ready to set sail and after some rebuffs was allowed on board. In a few
days he was among his friends once more in Britain, but now his heart was set on devoting himself to the service of
God in the sacred ministry. We meet with him at St. Martin's monastery at Tours, and again at the island sanctuary of
Lérins which was just then acquiring widespread renown for learning and piety; and wherever lessons of heroic
perfection in the exercise of Christian life could be acquired, thither the fervent Patrick was sure to bend his steps. No
sooner had St. Germain entered on his great mission at Auxerre than Patrick 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 favored 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, 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 harbor. 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 honor due to the Blessed Virgin, and the Divine
birth of our Savior.
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 monastery 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 preceded 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 the hold of their superstition on the Celtic
race, for their demoniac oracles had announced 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.
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 honor 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.
On 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:
"Who is God?"
"And where is God?"
"Where is His dwelling?"
"Has He sons and daughters?"
"Is He rich in silver and gold?"
"Is He everlasting? is He beautiful?"
"Are His daughters dear and lovely to the men of this world?"
"Is He on the heavens or on earth?"
"In the sea, in rivers, in mountains, in valleys?"
"Make Him known to us. How is He to be seen?"
"How is He to be loved? How is He to be found?"
"Is it in youth or is it in old age that He may be found?"
But St. Patrick, filled with the Holy Ghost, made answer:
"God, whom we announce to you, is the Ruler of all things."
"The God of heaven and earth, of the sea and the rivers."
"The God of the sun, and the moon, and all the stars."
"The God of the high mountains and of the lowlying valleys."
"The God who is above heaven, and in heaven, and under heaven."
"His dwelling is in heaven and earth, and the sea, and all therein."
"He gives breath to all."
"He gives life to all."
"He is over all."
"He upholds all."
"He gives light to the sun."
"He imparts splendour to the moon."
"He has made wells in the dry land, and islands in the ocean."
"He has appointed the stars to serve the greater lights."
"His Son is co-eternal and co-equal with Himself."
"The Son is not younger than the Father."
"And the Father is not older than the Son."
"And the Holy Ghost proceeds from them."
"The Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost are undivided."
"But I desire by Faith to unite you to the Heavenly King, as you are daughters of an earthly king."
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 them 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."
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. and died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, which is in Ulster, on the 17th of March, 493,
and probably buried in the church he established there. His cult started upon his death.
17 March, 493. Other sources say 460 or 461 —Ed.
He had for his parents Calphurnius and Conchessa. The former belonged to a Roman family of high rank and held
the office of decurio in Gaul or Britain. Conchessa was a near relative of the great patron of Gaul, St. Martin of Tours.
Kilpatrick still retains many memorials of Saint Patrick, and frequent pilgrimages continued far into the Middle Ages to
perpetuate there the fame of his sanctity and miracles.
In his sixteenth year, Patrick was carried off into captivity by Irish marauders and was sold as a slave to a chieftan
named Milchu in Dalriada, a territory of the present county of Antrim in Ireland, where for six years he tended his
master's flocks in the valley of the Braid and on the slopes of Slemish, near the modern town of Ballymena. He relates
in his "Confessio" that during his captivity while tending the flocks he prayed many times in the day: "the love of God",
he added,
and His fear increased in me more and more, and the faith grew in me, and the spirit was roused, so that, in a single
day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers, and in the night nearly the same, so that whilst in the woods and on
the mountain, even before the dawn, I was roused to prayer and felt no hurt from it, whether there was snow or ice or
rain; nor was there any slothfulness in me, such as I see now, because the spirit was then fervent within me.
Admonished by an Angel he after six years fled from his cruel master and bent his steps towards the west. He relates
in his "Confessio" that he had to travel about 200 miles; and his journey was probably towards Killala Bay and
onwards thence to Westport. He found a ship ready to set sail and after some rebuffs was allowed on board. In a few
days he was among his friends once more in Britain, but now his heart was set on devoting himself to the service of
God in the sacred ministry. We meet with him at St. Martin's monastery at Tours, and again at the island sanctuary of
Lérins which was just then acquiring widespread renown for learning and piety; and wherever lessons of heroic
perfection in the exercise of Christian life could be acquired, thither the fervent Patrick was sure to bend his steps. No
sooner had St. Germain entered on his great mission at Auxerre than Patrick 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 favored 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, 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 harbor. 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 honor due to the Blessed Virgin, and the Divine
birth of our Savior.
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 monastery 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 preceded 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 the hold of their superstition on the Celtic
race, for their demoniac oracles had announced 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.
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 honor 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.
On 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:
"Who is God?"
"And where is God?"
"Where is His dwelling?"
"Has He sons and daughters?"
"Is He rich in silver and gold?"
"Is He everlasting? is He beautiful?"
"Are His daughters dear and lovely to the men of this world?"
"Is He on the heavens or on earth?"
"In the sea, in rivers, in mountains, in valleys?"
"Make Him known to us. How is He to be seen?"
"How is He to be loved? How is He to be found?"
"Is it in youth or is it in old age that He may be found?"
But St. Patrick, filled with the Holy Ghost, made answer:
"God, whom we announce to you, is the Ruler of all things."
"The God of heaven and earth, of the sea and the rivers."
"The God of the sun, and the moon, and all the stars."
"The God of the high mountains and of the lowlying valleys."
"The God who is above heaven, and in heaven, and under heaven."
"His dwelling is in heaven and earth, and the sea, and all therein."
"He gives breath to all."
"He gives life to all."
"He is over all."
"He upholds all."
"He gives light to the sun."
"He imparts splendour to the moon."
"He has made wells in the dry land, and islands in the ocean."
"He has appointed the stars to serve the greater lights."
"His Son is co-eternal and co-equal with Himself."
"The Son is not younger than the Father."
"And the Father is not older than the Son."
"And the Holy Ghost proceeds from them."
"The Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost are undivided."
"But I desire by Faith to unite you to the Heavenly King, as you are daughters of an earthly king."
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 them 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."
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. and died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, which is in Ulster, on the 17th of March, 493,
and probably buried in the church he established there. His cult started upon his death.
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Saint Patrick's Breastplate
Danny Boy
