The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1888-03-17
"a Brief Sketch of the Birth, Life
and Works Of Ireland's
Patron Saint.
HIS UNCEAS|NG PRAYERS.
History Based Largely Upon Legend, Con.
fioting Statements Patrick's
Youth and Captivity.

0t. T3lI1cK 20 The WOrlQ. Eng iauu,
Scotland, Wales and France all present
an abundance of Legendary evidence to
substantiate their claims and one an
cient writer even ascribes his origin to
the Jewish exiles, driven from the Holy
City by the Roman Conqnerors, who
settled il Armoric Gaul Some histo-
rians have even gone so far az TO point
out the very spot where he was born.
The years Of his birth and death are
also points of wide difference among
the historians former ranging
from 3T2 to 388 the latter is quite gen
orally conceded to be 493.
CogIan's writings, which are based
upon we'll authenticated traditions of
Arnorie Gaul, are probably The most
truthful and reliable Ffe states posi-
lively thai ST. Patrick was born at Holy
Tours, in Armoric Gaul, in 1913. There
he spent his early youth until the arrl-
val OF the He-ts and armies of iall
Neeallacs in pursuit of the Roman le-
gions, which had invaded ireland and
met with lgnominious defeat. Having
disposed OF the Romans, the Celts pro-
ceeded 5o ravage the country. The
wtse monarch Mall was assassinated by
BIZ Irish vasaul on the bank Of The
the Loire. His naval armament re-
turned to ireland in $50. Among the
speils taken back were 200 children for
slaves. amoug them the boy Patrick.
Thus while the loss OF Mali was great
one 70 Ireland, she received an inestim-
able blessing in this holy parsonage,
who was tIen Is yeas OF age. His
fathers name was Calphurnius and his
mothers Conceisa, which, indicates thiat
they We're OF Roman extraction. They
were both killed by the Irish invaders.
His baptisnaal name was Aot Patrick,
bat SSuccatll, meaning yaliant in war.
Meme Of the historians lave attempted
to record anything OF his youthful his
tory
In $50 he WIGS sold to the petty prince
Rdi|cho Huanan, and his three brothers,
IN the province Of Daiaradia, liz the
north of Ireland, and served them SIX
years. This was The occasion OF his
name beng changed to CotteEalg, be-
cause be served four masters. Milct1o
observing how careful and diligent he
was, Purchased the shares Of his three
brothers, md thus became the sole pro-
prietor Of the boy, His employment
was of most burdsnsome nature. ST.
Patrick himself describes this part OF
llis life, az follows: Il was frequent in
prayer; che love and fear Of God more
and more iniarned my heart; my faith
was enlarged; my spirit augmented; so
that T. said al hundred prayers by day
and almost as many by night. Z arose
before day to my prayers, in the snow,
in the frost, in the rain; nor was I af~
fected with slothfulness. for then the
spirit Of Goo. was warm within me-
It was here that he perfected himself
liz the Irish language. He completed
his six years Of servit11de, and then ac-
cording to Che law which seems to have
been in forge, he was released. He tells
us he was then warned in o. dream to
prepare Il, return to his native land.
Upon arriving there he was again seized |
and taken into captivity, but regained |
his freedom again in two months--his-
tory does not say how,
Then he enjoyed two years with his
relatives. after which he was warned
vision that there was work for
him 10 DO in Ireland, and that he should
return there.
He resolved then to carry out his long
cherished wish to attempt the work Of
converting Ireland To fit himself for
this work he spent many years in travel
and study. Then having been clothed
with authority from the Pope, he sailed
Tor Ireland with twenty co-lahore1s, all
men of great piety and wisdom. He
landed first III Britain and preached for
several days with great success. Here
ne increased his following to thirty-four
Ind proceeded to Ireland, landing on the :
,oast Of Wicklow, where he at once be-
yan bis labors. His first convert was
Smell, great man in that country. and
,e soon added theking, queen and many {
# the nobility. I
His innovation was strongly opposed I
" the Druidical priests, who naturally
Wished to preserve the great power they ]
leld over the people through their sup
,uo,sed magical aud mystifying acts. But
egend says that St. Patrick's miracu-
Gus powers soon put the magicians to
hame.
n Many miracles are asoribed to St.
oatrick. prominent among which was
he setting on FIRE, by blowing upon it,
I i. bile of snowballs and chunks Of ice,