The Irish standard., 1909-03-13
The Time and Place of the Birth of Erins Apostle Have
Been Warmly Discussed by Able Writers and
Profound Scholars.
1UN0UEST|ONABLY He WAS A NATIVE OF FRANCE
ST. Paladus 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-
4 But whatever place or 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
tpiety and patriotism Of its 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 ana Irishmen.
OF his youth little il known, but at
the age of Is, or about the year A. D
4os. he and his sister were carried
|captives to Ireland, the destination Of
Patrick being lin the northern part Of
! the island, Wfls1e was 1sepaxsted
from lo Nas locat on the
lleastarn III.
tire missionary like the Prodigal son
of the New Tsstarnsnt " wias engaged
|Sir herdipg cattle and swine. From
this captivity he subsequ escaped
iiahd nade5his way to the western coast
without money or food, subsisting as
best he could on the berries and wild
fruits which, the country afforded,
/ Probably finding q pleasure in the
4 painless woods and a. rapture on the
lonely shore, 4 he, after travelling about
| 200 miles, provid dentally met some sail
i.ors bound for France and offered to 90
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 a small cottage by
1.-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
France. Patrick was now in his 22nd
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
Ito devote himself to the interests OF
religion. Being no longer either q
slave or q stowawaY but an educated
man and a priest. he Yearned to return
/ to the land Of hi sTcaptivity, and like, a
Christian to return to his captors and
oppressors. that good for evil which he
had learned was the great doctrine Of
ell /: true religion. The holy see had
previously dispatched missionaries to
! ireland, where Christianity, as we
lshall subseuentlys see. had made much
progress; but; some resistance being
| now encountered to It's doctrines and
owing to Patrick's six years expert
erce with the country. making him
some ething OF an lrishman, he was se-
lected for the dta1cnlt but glorious
work of propa eating the teachings he
himself had already received In the
lmonasteries Of France Against the
/ adyice and renaony ytrances Of his
friends, who earnestly endeayored TO
! dissuade him by the most touching en-
treaties NOT 70 80 among = people who
were known TO Be deeply attached 70
pasan rites. and who had threatened
and expelled Palladius. he resolved to
Erisk his ilfes ana not to hide the gift
lof cod from 4 people whose suppiica-
|tfons for their deliyetancs lie imagined
we're stili ringing Ia Ills ears After
q prosperous voyage lie once more arr
rived la Britain and began hisS minis
I; ;;trations IN Wales ard when long into
middle age ne asain reached Ireland.
where years before iie was 9; captive.
land 8 ss,trlans riek inmed edlstely
icomhaencsd his naissionary labors witi,
lsconsummate wisdom aud tact, and ~
ting mild in manner and gentle ef ~
Epof tment & sMsnd q q siso. IL "a u.
lsNith sssst i s. 4 i n,ads sst
Ind y d ands sf q II ia ~ sonyeIt q