The Nome nugget., 1902-03-15
IRElAND'S PATRON SAINT, ST. PATRICK.
(BY REV. A. VAN DER Pol. S.-J.)

Whether the apostle of Erin was born in 372 o in 3S6 is a matter of opinion. Nor does it matter whether he lived 100 or l2O years, for whatever tn, number of his days he is of 'tose men of mere, whose godly deeds have not failed"
 It IS certain, however. that at the close of th. fourth century Patrick taken prisoner by tn, fierce though heroic Mall of the Nine Hostages Thus suddenly taken from his wealthy home, nea,
 he present Bouogne SurMer, and flung on the northern coast of Ireland he spent six lonesome years in icrding cattle the cold, bleak mountains of Donegal. Escaping thence to the coast of France he began that life of studious pilgrimage which was
 to fill up the thirty years until his mission to Ire.
 and In his eager quest after learning he retired to the monastery of St. Martin of Tours; read the Fathers in the solitude of the isle of Lerius visited Britain in company with Saints Germain and Lupus, and finally repaired to Rome whence St. Celestine l. sent him, as the first bishop of Erin, to preach the gospel to the most warlike nation then known
 Debarking in Wicklow, at place called Inbhcr. Dea, but forced by the doatros inhab tants to pu, out again to sea, St Patrick landed on the coast of Ulaoh. and was kindly received hy Dicho, who soon became Inc first born of Irelands sons to the fai h of Christ. And now, without script or purse ever on
 foot. the apostle sets out to gain nation With un. remitng zeal he the country from shore to shore, preaching the Word to all From the power. ful chiefain returning from the battlefield or the chase to the poor shepherd guarding his flock on the mountain side, from the Druid in his sacerdotal robes down to the humblest peasant in tine field they all listen with joy to the good lidngs promulgated in their own grand Celtic tongue At the voice of Pat rick, Christianity indeed took possession of Ireland as if it were natural growth in the heart of the people.
 And broad and sure did he lay the foundations of the infant church. Wherever he went churches arose and monasteries and schools sprang up that were to be the home and refuge of learning ard hol. ness, and the nursery from whence an energetic Divine truth 10 the nations of the earth Those of Emly, of Ardagh, of Louth, of Antrim, of Dercan of Beg Erin, of Mungret. stood preeminent above num- berless others in Patrck's own day. For nearly four centuries from the saints landing in the fifth century until the first irrupion of the Northmen in the ninth century Ireland presented spectacle of spiritual and intellectual growth which without exaggcration, may be styled unparalleled
 The conversion of Ireland stands alone in the hs ory of the church. It the conversion of whole ,ution or bloodshed-a conversion az lasting as prompt. From the invasion of the Danes down to modern times, for eleven centuries, the faith of Ire and has been tested by fire and blood, by devasta- ion ana oppression, and it has stood the test as hings Divine alone will No people on earth has d ecord of such unfalterng devotion to the Church of Rome.
 The apostle of Ireland died on the 17,h day of larch, on Wednesday. according 10 very ancient radition The year of his death is variousiy stated ome assign it to 458 others to 465. but the genera pinion ascribes it to 493 His l,ody was wrapped in he shroud woven by St. Bridget aud laid to res, in )ownpatrick.
 There are said to be at least dozen men in Nome 'ith their lightning rods up in the hope that con- reesonal delerate na aah etr;Lo %h>,.