The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-03-17
Carried into Captivity When
q Youth of Sixteen.
BE SOON ESCAPED FROM THE ISLAND
Returned to Convert the People
from Dark Paganism.

The feast of Ireland's Apostle revives
tsnder memories, and millions OF
hearts are filled with emotions that be-
long to this day alone At home
sad abroad, in every land under the
iun, wherever Ireland's children wan-
der, there the memory OF St. Patrick
is kept alive.
He is the Apostle OF their country,
the father of their faith and the found
q of their national church. His name
Is associated with the brightest period
Sf their history, and his teachings are
- indelibly stamped on the national
character that no other name wields
such all influence in shaping Ireland
destiny. 1t arouses the holiest enthu-
siasm, and it inspires the most pa
triotic devotion.
St. Patrick was born in the decline
Of the fourth century: In his sixteenth
year he was carried into captivity.
Taken to Ireland, he was obliged to
keep cattle on the mountains. While
he lived in this suffering conditions
God had pity on his soul, and quick
ened him to a sense OF his duty by the
impulse OF strong interior grace. The
young man had recourse to Him with
his whole heart in fervent prayer and
fasting, and from that time faith and
the love OF God acquired continually
new strength in his tender soul. He
prayed often in the day, and also many
times in the night, breaking off his
sleep to return to the divine praises,
His Affections were to him source
Of heavenly bcnedictions, because he
carried his cross with Christ-that is,
with patience, resignation and holy
joy.
ST. Patrick, after six months spent
in slavery under the same master, was
admonished by God in dream to re-
turn TO ms OWL country, and informed
that ship was then ready to sail tlith
er. He repaired Immediately to the
sea coast, though at a great distance,
and found the vessel, but could not OBJ
tain his passage probably for want OF
aoney. The saint returned toward his
hut, praying as he went, but the sailors,
though pagans, called him back and
took him on board
After three days sail they made
land, probably in. the north of Scot
land, but wandered twenty-seven days
through deserts, and were long while
distressed for want OF provisions, find
ing nothing to eat. Patrick had often
entertained the company on the infllite
power OF God; they therefore asked
him why he did not pray for relief.
Animated by strong faith, he assured
them that if they would address them
selves with their whole hearts to God he
would hear and succor them They
did so, and on the same day met with
4 herd OF swine. From that time pro-
visions never failed them, till on the
twenty-seventh day they came into a
country that was cultivated and inhab-
tied.
After spending a short time with his
parents, he entered the famous mon
astery Of ST. Martin at Tours, where
he entered upon his course OF studies
to prepare him for the priesthood. Go
ing to Rome after his ordination he
laid before Pope Celestine his great
project which he had SO long cherished
of returning to the land where he had
spent so many years in bondage and
to preach to the people the Gospel OF
Christianity. The Holy Father had al
ready been considering the question,
and recognized in Patrick the destined
instrument for carrying out the great
mission.
The jealous missionary was conse-
Grated Bishop and started upon his
journey, reaching Ireland in 432. We
have told in these columns many of the
wonderful incidents in his long mis-
sionary career in Ireland, his conver-
sion OF the princes and people of the
island. Before his death he had con-
verted the entire people, founded 355
churches and consecrated as many
bishops. Tradition states that in ex-