Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1915-03-13

81. Patrick, apostle OF Ireland,
was horn in the year 1897, and died
at Saul, Downpatrick. ireland.
March II, 5ss. He had for his par
ents Chalphurnius and concheSsa.
The former belonged 30 a Roman
family OF high rank, and held the
office OF Decurio in Gaul or Britain.
Conchessa was near relative OF the
great patron of Gaul, 81. Martin or
Tours.
In his sixteenth year Patrick was
carried into captivity by Irish
marauders and was sold as a shave
10 a chieftain named Milchu in
Dalaradia. a territory OF the present
County Antrim in ireland, where for
six years he tended his masters
tlocks in the valley of the Braid
and on the slopes OF Slemish, near
the modern town OF Balymena. In
the ways Of a benign Providence the
six years OF pakrick's captivity be-
came a remote preparation for his
future apostolate. He acquired q
perfect knowledge OF the Celtic
tongue, in which he would one day
announce the glad tidinEs of re-
demption, and as his master Milchu
was Druidical high priest. he be-
came familiar With all the details of
Drnidism, from whose bondage he
was destined 70 liberate the Irish
race. Admonished by an angel,
aftes- six years, he fled from his
cruel master and bent his steps to-
ward the West In a few days he
was among his friends once more in
Britain, but now his heart was set
in devotlng himself 70 the service Of
God in the sacred ministry.
We meet him at St. Martins mon
astery al Tours and again at the
ISLAND sanctuary OF Lerins, which
was just then acquiring widespread
renown for learning and piety. No
sooner had St. GERMAN entered
on his great mission at AIXerre than
Patrick put himself under his guild
ance, and il was AT that great
Bishops hands that Treland's future
apostle was few years later pro-
NOTED 10 the priesthood When
German, commissioned by the Holy
See, proceeded 10 Britain to combat
the erroneous teachings OF Pelagius,
he chose Patrick "a be one OF his
missionary companions, and thus It
was his privilege TO be associated
with the representative OF Rome in
the triumph that ensued over heresy
and paganism. Pope Celestine L.,
who rendered immortal service TO
the church by the overthrow OF the
Pelagian and HISTORIAN heresies, and
BY the imperishable wreath OF honor
decreed to the Blessed Virgin IN the
General Council OF Ephesus. crowned
his pontificate for the spread Of
Christianity and civilization when he
entrusted Patrick with the mission
of gathering the Irish race into the
one fold of Christ II was st.
German, Bishop of Auxerre, who
commended Patrick 10 the Pope. II
was only shortly before his death
that Celestine gave this mission 20
Ireland's apostle, and on that occa~
sion bestowed on him many relics
and other spiritual gifts, and gave
him the name 'Paterciusr or
"Patritius.
Patrick on his return journey
from Rome received at tvrea the
tidings of the death OF Palladius.
and turning aside TO the neighboring
city OF Turin received episcopal con-
secration n the hands OF the great
Bishop, st. Maximus, and then
fastened on 20 Auxerre TO make,
under the guidance OF St German,
due preparations for the Irish mis-
sions. II was probably IN the sum
rner months of the year 333 that
Patrick and his companions landed
AZ the mouth OF the Vantry river, |
close By Wicklow Head The Druids
we're at once AZ arms against him.
But Patrick was NOT dishearfened. |
The intrepid missionary resolved 10
search out more friendly territory |
In which to enter on his mission. |
First OF all. however. he would pro-
coed toward Dalaradia, where he had |
ransom 20 his former master, and IN
exchange for the seryitude and |
cruelty endured at his hands 10
impart 70 him the blessings and /
freedom Of Gods children. lie rested
for some days off the 3kerries coast, I
,ne OF which still retains the name |
Of 1ni$1Patrick. and he probably vis-
ted the adjoining mainland. which /
in older times WAS known ae Holm /
Tradition >fondly points out
The impression OF ST Patrick's foot /
npon the hard rock off the main |
shore at the entrance to Skerries
harbor Continuing his course
northward he halted at the mouth
,f the River Boyne. A number Of
he natives there gathered around /
him and heard with Joy in their own
sVeet tongue the glad tidings Of re-