The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1885-03-19
SAINT PATRfCK

IRON IuSsIAf 5 ally.
While thousands OF people are observ-
ing this day in hoEor of the noted monk
aud preacher of the fifth century, there
are perhaps many who know lltrIe of
his history, or why Lie should be thus
remembered fourteen centuries after his
death. Like Shakespeare, the exact
date OF his birth is unknown,
but by best authorities is generally
given a. occurring in 378 His real name
Was Succas, but he was called Pairicus,
Romsn appellatiee. At the age of
sixteen Patricus was seized by band
of pirates and carried from Scotland to
Ireland where he was sold 10 an Irish
chief. He remained in the service OF
this man about six years, after which he
went to France. where he became q monk
In the celebrated monastery of Lerins
In 431 he went TO Rome, and was sent
by Pope Celestine TO Ireland t. preach.
1t was now that Patrick began TO do the
work that has made his name so sacred
Ia the Irish people. At ihst time ire
land was occupied by great number of
petty tribes, and the evangelizing of
these was the great work he had to ac-
C mplisb. So earnestly did be apply
himself to this task. and SO
bouuuinlly was he rewarded, that Ire
land has been known Tor many centuries
as the "Island of Saints" He succeed
ed ID completely over,hrowing the old
supersitlons and pagan ideas OF the
islanders, and introduced instead the
worship of the Catholic church.
The death OF Succat OF Patrick occur
ed on the I7th of March, but in what
year is not positively known OF Pat
rick much has been related that Is fabu-
loas and the good work that he did is
often forgotten and gives place to the
more pleasing traditions.
Ia Ireland many OF these fabulous re-
ports OF Patrick's work aud lie are
held as important facts in their relig-
ion, snd should Saint PAtri k visit some
portions Of Ifelaba to-day he would find
a 'e,b before him AMIDST as difficult To
perform as the rof rmsiinn he affected
in the 9th centary
The Reek, commonly called by the
Irish CROUCH Patrick. or Patrlck's noun
tain, IS "a INTERESTING Item ia connection
with one of the Irish traditions THIS
mountain, winch IS situated On the ives,
coast of tae island Is nearly mile nigh,
and as western side is covered
with small stones Of almost equal
size and caused by The glacier
system The IIish however
believe that duribg hard tiGes Patrick,
in order that The poor might have work
ANA provide Tor their wants, employed
them to break The large stones which
coveted tie sides If this mountain.
Ga the top OF this elevation is rough
wall which, according 10 tesir tradition,
was once the side ofihe house in which
ST. Patrick lived aud another rude struc-
ture near by Is the altar on which he
celebrated sIsss
Ia nonor If s. Ptirick many of the
ignorant people ef Iceland perform sta
tions at this mountain. sort Of religious
serviea, IN which the faithful are re-
quiFed en- cert ain days 10 attend speci-
tied places oi worship. Even when sick
the ig1ersul worshipsrs ascend Pat
rIck's mouatain on their knees. over the
rough rocks. walking N this position
several times around spring, which is
aho half way up the side of the hill.
Tben they ascend - the top, walk around
ihe ei.ar Of ST. Patrick. which is sur
rouadsd oY rough h4gslne.
Another tradition which the ignorant
people of the Emerald Isle cherish is in
reference to grasl fight ID which Pat
rick tngased aod conquered the devil
Tins hight occurred near small body of
water, AMI during the conflict Patrick
WOUNDED the devil. who. ssnArting with
the pain ard sorslY pressed by Patrick.
| fed toward tnis lake P.trIck followed
close after him ard crowded his satanic
M jesiy into rae lake. the walters of which
sos,n beesme red from The blood which
flowed from the devils wounds. snd from
that time the like has been knewn as
Lou b ID Tgp ~ II sur language,
Re. l. k"
st. Pasr.ck W-s pot a man Of much
eduea:ina yst n is sad 30 have esiab-
4 lsaec 3e5 chGrches end bagstised with
hls uSn hands over 120 600 pei sons.