The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-03-13
The Time and Place Of the Birth Of Erins Apostle Have
Been Warmly Discussed by Able Writers and
Il Profound Scholars.
UN0UEST|ONAbLY HE WAS A native OF FRANCE
ST. Paaus Had Arrived in Ireland Before ST. Patrick But
Was Driven Out of the Country by the
King of Leinster.

referred to by the pagan Druids of
ancient Ireland, whom he was destined
to supplant in royal favor, as "a for
eigner coming from over the sea-"
But whatever place CIR nation has had
the honor of his birth, whether France
England or Scotland, he is essentially
the patron saint of Ireland, and stands
out after the long lapse of years as the
most typical representative of the
piety and patriotism Of it's people.
What st. David is to ancient Cymric
nation, what st. George is to England,
or st. Andrew to Scotland, that st.
Patrick is to Ireland and Irishmen.
OF his youth little is known, but at
the age of 16, or about the year A. D
403. he and his sister were carried
captives to Ireland, the destination Of
Patrick being in the northern part Of
the island, where he was separated
from Ills sister.Who was located on the
eastern coast. Fnrssix years the fu-.
ture missionary, like the Prodigal Son
Of the New Testament, was engaged
in herdipg cattle and swine. From
this captivity he subsequently escaped
and made his way to the western coast
without money or food, subsisting as
best he could on the berries and wild
RS I1y1,f %11 1ntr ,Hf4 rIoT1
Probably finding a pleasure in the
painless woods and a rapture OIL the
lonely Shore" he, after travelling about
200 miles, providentally met some sail
ors bound for France and offered to go
on board with them. The captain re-
fused, owing to his poverty, saying:
You shall by no means come with U.s."
Patrick repaired to small cottage by
the seashore where he had previously
obtained some shelter, and here prayed
and wept, when finally the master of
the vessel relaxed and took him. OF,
board. After three days they landed
in Brittany on the northern coast of
< IL
year and, tired of the cares Of the
world, retired to a monastery at Tours,
where he resided for some time. Here
he educated himself, fully determined
to devote himself to the interests OF
religion. Being no longer either a
slave or a stowaway, but an educated
man and a priest. he yearned to return
to the land Of his captivity, and like a
Christian to return to his captors and
oppressors that good for evil which he
had learned was the great doctrine OF
all true religion. The holy see had
previously dispatched missionaries to
Ireland. where Christianity, as we
shall subsequently see, had made much
progress; but some resistance being
now encountered to its doctrines and
owing to Patrick's six years expert
erce with the country, making him
something of an Irishman, he was Sc
lected for the difficult but glorious
| work of propagating the teachings he
| Al411oS1l udu hlISduy tlSCSlVSu III IAc
monasteries Of France Against the
/ advice and circumstances of his
| friends, who earnestly endeavored to
dissuade him by the most touching en-
treaties not to go among a people who
were known to be deeply attached to
pagan rites and who had threatened
and expelled Palladius. he resolved to
risk his life, and not to hide the gift
Of God from people whose supplica-
lions for their deliverance he imagined
were still ringing in his ears. After
a prosperous voyage lie once more ar
rived In Britain and began his minis
/; trations in Wales, and when long into
middle age he again reached Ireland,
where years before he was a captive.
and stranger. Patrick immediately
commenced his missionary labors with
consummate wisdom and tact, and be-
ing mild in manner and gentle Of de-
pertinent, and gifted. also. It is said.
with great eloqnence, he made first
friends and thei rapidly converts. He