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Home > Catholic Encyclopedia > P > St. Patrick


ST. PATRICK

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Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year
387; died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 493. Some 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.



In the ways of a benign Providence the six years of Patrick's captivity became a
remote preparation for his future apostolate. He acquired a perfect knowledge of
the Celtic tongue in which he would one day announce the glad tidings of
Redemption, and, as his master Milchu was a druidical high priest, he became
familiar with all the details of Druidism from whose bondage he was destined to
liberate the Irish race.

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 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, 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 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 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 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 sucessors 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 than 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:

> I bind to myself today
> The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:
> I believe the Trinity in the Unity
> The Creator of the Universe.
> 
> I bind to myself today
> The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
> The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
> The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
> The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.
> 
> I bind to myself today
> The virtue of the love of seraphim,
> In the obedience of angels,
> In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
> In prayers of Patriarchs,
> In predictions of Prophets,
> In preaching of Apostles,
> In faith of Confessors,
> In purity of holy Virgins,
> In deeds of righteous men.
> 
> I bind to myself today
> The power of Heaven,
> The light of the sun,
> The brightness of the moon,
> The splendour of fire,
> The flashing of lightning,
> The swiftness of wind,
> The depth of sea,
> The stability of earth,
> The compactness of rocks.
> 
> I bind to myself today
> God's Power to guide me,
> God's Might to uphold me,
> God's Wisdom to teach me,
> God's Eye to watch over me,
> God's Ear to hear me,
> God's Word to give me speech,
> God's Hand to guide me,
> God's Way to lie before me,
> God's Shield to shelter me,
> God's Host to secure me,
> Against the snares of demons,
> Against the seductions of vices,
> Against the lusts of nature,
> Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
> Whether far or near,
> Whether few or with many.
> 
> I invoke today all these virtues
> Against every hostile merciless power
> Which may assail my body and my soul,
> Against the incantations of false prophets,
> Against the black laws of heathenism,
> Against the false laws of heresy,
> Against the deceits of idolatry,
> Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
> Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.
> 
> Christ, protect me today
> Against every poison, against burning,
> Against drowning, against death-wound,
> That I may receive abundant reward.
> 
> Christ with me, Christ before me,
> Christ behind me, Christ within me,
> Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
> Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
> Christ in the fort,
> Christ in the chariot seat,
> Christ in the poop [deck],
> Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
> Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
> Christ in every eye that sees me,
> Christ in every ear that hears me.
> 
> I bind to myself today
> The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,
> I believe the Trinity in the Unity
> The Creator of the Universe.

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 with 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.



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 low-lying 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."

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 deem most 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 honoured 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 the reins, 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, pierced 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 founded in 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 Armagh 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 penitential
exercises. Clothed in a rough hair-shirt, he made the hard rock his bed. His
disinterestedness is specially commemorated. Countless converts 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 penitential
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 Clew 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 penitential 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 of his
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 not suffice. 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 penitential 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. He saw 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 [See note above — Ed.]. 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 in the "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.




SOURCES

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 of Armagh 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).


ABOUT THIS PAGE

APA citation. Moran, P.F. (1911). St. Patrick. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New
York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11554a.htm

MLA citation. Moran, Patrick Francis Cardinal. "St. Patrick." The Catholic
Encyclopedia. Vol. 11. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911.
<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11554a.htm>.

Transcription. This article was transcribed for New Advent by Mary Doorley.

Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. February 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D.,
Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.

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