March 17 — Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland

The saint we have to honour to-day is the apostle of that faithful people, whose martyrdom has lasted three hundred years : it is the great St. Patrick, he that gave Erin the faith. There shone most brightly in this saint that gift of the apostolate, which Christ has left to His Church, and which is to remain with her to the end of time. The ambassadors or missioners, sent by our Lord to preach His Gospel, are of two classes. There are some who have been entrusted with a small tract of the Gentile world ; they had to sow the divine seed there, and it yielded fruit more or less according to the dispositions of the people that received it : there are others, again, whose mission is like a rapid conquest, that subdues a whole nation, and brings it into subjection to the Gospel. St. Patrick belongs to this second class ; and in him we recognize one of the most successful instruments of God's mercy to mankind.

And then, what solidity there is in this great saint's work ! When is it that Ireland received the faith ? In the fifth century, when Britain was almost wholly buried in paganism ; when the race of the Franks had not as yet heard the name of the true God ; when Germany had no knowledge of Christ's having come upon the earth ; when the countries of northern Europe deeply slumbered in infidelity : yes, it was before these several nations had awakened to the Gospel, that Ireland was converted. The faith, brought to her by her glorious apostle, took deep root and flourished and fructified in this isle, more

BISHOP AND CONFESSOR lovely even by grace than she is by nature. Her saints are scarcely to be numbered, and went about doing good in almost every country of Europe ; her children gave, and are still giving, to other countries, the faith that she herself received from her beloved patron. And when the sixteenth century came with its protestantism ; when the apostasy of Germany was imitated by England, Scotland, and the whole north of Europe, Ireland stood firm and staunch ; no persecution, however cleverly or however cruelly carried on against her, has been able to detach her from the faith taught her by Saint Patrick.

Let us honour the admirable apostle, chosen by God to sow the seed of His word in this privileged land ; and let us listen to the simple account of his labours and virtues, thus given in the lessons of his feast :

Patritius, Hiberniae dictus Patrick, called the apostle apostolus, Calphurnio patre, of Ireland, was born in Great matre Conchessa, sancti Mar- Britain. His father's name tini Turonensis episcopi, ut was Calphurnius. Conchessa, perhibent, consanguinea, ma- his mother, is said to have jori in Britannia natus, puer been a relation of St. Martin, in barbarorum ssepius incidit bishop of Tours. He was captivitatem. Eo in statu several times taken captive by pascendis gregibus propositus, the barbarians, when he was a jam turn future sanctitatis boy, and was put to tend their specimen prebuit. Fideinam- flocks. Even in that tender que, divinique timoris, et age, he gave signs of the great amoris spiritu repletus, ante- sanctity he was afterwards to lucano tempore per nives, gelu, attain. Full of the spirit of ac pluvias ad preces Deo fun- faith, and of the fear and love dendas impiger consurgebat ; of God, he used to rise at the solitus centies interdiu, centi- earliest dawn of day, and, in esque noctu Deum orare. A spite of snow, frost, or rain, servitute tertio exemptus, et go to offer up his prayers to inter clericos relatus, in divinis God. It was his custom to lectionibus longo se tempore pray a hundred times during exercuit. Galliis, Italia, in- the day, and a hundred during sulisque Tyrrheni maris labore the night. After his third summo peragratis, divino tan- deliverance from slavery, he dem monitu ad Hibernorum entered the ecclesiastical state salutem advocatur ; et facta and applied himself, for a a beato Ccelestino Papa Evan- considerable time, to the study

LENT gelii nunciandi potestate, con- of the sacred Scriptures, secratusque episcopus, in Hi- Having made several most

Eo in munere mirum quot vir apostolicus mala, quot relate aerumnas, et labores, quot pertulerit adversaries. Verum Dei afflante benignitate, terra extrailia, idolorum antea cultrix, eum mox praedicante Patritio fructum dedit, ut sanctorum insula deinde fuerit appellata. Frequentissimi ab eo populi shipped sacro sunt regenerati lavacro : episcopi, clericique plurimi ordinati ; virgines ac viduae ad continentiae leges institutae. Armachanam Sedem, Bomani istered Pontificis auctoritate, totius insulae principem metropolim constituit, sanctorumque reli- quently quiis ab Urbe relatis decora- in vit. Supernis visionibus, prophetiae dono, ingentibusque widows, signis, et prodigiis a Deo exornatus adeo refulsit, ut longe, lateque celebrior Patritii se tiff,

It would be difficult to how much this apostolic man had to suffer in the mission thus entrusted to him: he had to bear with ordinary trials, fatigues, and adversaries. But, by the mercy of God, that land, which heretofore had woridols, so well repaid the labour wherewith Patrick had preached the Gospel, that it was afterwards called the island of saints. He adminholy Baptism to many thousands : he ordained several bishops, and freconferred Holy Orders their several degrees ; he drew up rules for virgins and who wished to lead a life of continenoy. By the authority of the Roman Ponhe appointed Armagh the berniam perrexit. fatiguing journeys through Gaul, Italy, and the islands of the Mediterranean, he was called by God to labour for the salvation of the people of Ireland. Pope Saint Celestin gave him power to preach the Gospel, and consecrated him bishop. Whereupon, he set out for Ireland. fama diffuderit. metropolitan See of the whole island, and enriched that church with the saints' relics, which he had brought from Rome. God honoured him ,with heavenly visions, with the gift of prophecy and miracles ; all which caused the name of the saint to be held in veneration in almost every part of the world.

Prater quotidianam Ecclesiarum sollicitudinem, in ab oratione spiritum nunquam relaxabat. Aiuntenim, rupted integrum quotidie psalterium, una cum canticis et hymnis, ducentisque orationibus con- psalter, suevisse recitare : ter centies per dies singulos flexis genibus Deum adorare, ac in qualibet hora diei canonica centies se crucis signo'munire. Noctem tria in spatia distribuens, primum in centum psalmis percurrendis, et bis centies genuflectendo, alterum in reliquis quinquaginta psalmis, algidis aquis immersus, ac corde, oculis manibusque genuad coelum erectus, absolvendis fleeted insumebat ; tertium vero super nudum lapidem stratus citing tenui dabat quieti. Humilitatis eximius cultor, aposto- in manuum suarum labore non abstinuit. Assiduis tandem curis pro Ecclesia a consumptus, verbo et opere clarus, in extrema senectute, a humidivinis mysteriis refectus, ob- lity, dormivit in Domino ; sepultusque est apud Dunum in Ultonia, a Christiana salute saeculo quinto.

Besides his daily solicitude vie- for the churches, his vigorous turn spirit kept up an uninterprayer. For it is said, that he was wont to recite every day the whole together with the canticles and the hymns, and two hundred prayers : that he every day knelt down three hundred times to adore God ; and that at each canonical hour of the day, he signed himself a hundred times with the sign of the cross. He divided the night into three parts : the first was spent in the recitation of a hundred psalms, during which he two hundred times : the second was spent in rethe remaining fifty psalms, which he did standing cold water, and his heart, lico more a eyes, and hands lifted up to heaven ; the third he gave to little sleep, which he took laid upon a bare stone. Being man of extraordinary he imitated the apostles, and practised manual labour, At length, being worn out by his incessant fatigues in the cause of the Church, powerful in word and work, having reached an extreme old age he slept in the Lord, after being refreshed with the holy mysteries. He was buried at Down, in Ulster, in the fifth century of the Christian era.

The following sequence, in honour of our saint, is taken from an ancient manuscript missal, published by Messingham, in his Florilegium Insula Sanctorum, Paris, 1624 :

Lata lux est hodierna, Qua conscendit ad superna Vir Dei Patricius.

Qui prselatus in hanc lucem Puer bonus Christi crucem Veneratur ocyus.

Humo pressit signum crucis, Fons erupit, donum lucis Cseco nato praebuit.

In mel aquam convertebat, Quo nutrici, quae languebat,

Sanitatem tribuit. A piratis venditur,

Fit custos porcorum : Aurum quo redimitur

Reperit decorum.

Opprimens per triduum Satan hunc vexavit :

Sed Helias artuum Robur reparavit.

Deprimit a vitiis,

Moribus imbutus, Corpus abstinentiis,

Moysen secutus ; In montis cacumina

Scandit et jejunat ; Glacierum fragmina

Succendens adunat.

Sub Germani disciplina, Documentis et doctrina Studet evangelieis.

His a Papa Coelestino Doctor est, nutu divino, Transmissus Hibernicis.

Joyful is the light of this day's feast, whereon Patrick, the man of God, ascended to heaven !

When yet in the early dawn of life, the holy youth devoutly venerated the cross of Christ.

He made the sign of the cross on the ground : a fount gushed forth upon the spot, and with its waters he gave sight to one born blind.

He turned water into honey, and by it restored his nurse to health.

He was led captive by pirates, and was made keeper of swine : but the saint found a piece of glittering gold, and with it bought his freedom.

For three days did satan harass him with bodily injuries ; but Elias healed him, and gave him back his strength.

His soul was vigorous in grace, and, lifce Moses, he restrained his body from vices by fasting.

He ascends a high mountain, and there he fasts. He throws ice upon a fire, and it burns as though it were wood.

He puts himself under the care and teaching of Germanus, and studies under him the maxims of the Gospel.

Pope Celestine, by a divine inspiration, sends him to teach salvation to the people of Hibernia.

Balat hircus ventre furis, Fur punitur plagis duris, Et ejus suoee8sio.

Fugiens mortem sago tectus Obiit ante, post revectus Orante Patricio.

Virosa reptilia

Prece congregata Pellit ab Hibernia,

Mari liberata. Coelos aliquoties

Apertos aspexit ; Et Jesum suspicions

Dominum conspexit. Transit pater ab hac luce Signis plenus, Christo duce,

Lucis ad palatium.

Ubi nobis, prece sua, Confer, bone Jesu, tua Pietate gaudium. Amen.

The thief, that had stolen* goat, was discovered by its bleating ; and he and his family were punished with a severe scourge.

A man had covered himself with a cloth, and asked to be restored to health. He was first punished with real death, and was then restored to life by Patrick's prayer.

He drew together, by his prayer, all venomous reptiles, and drove them from Hibernia's shore.

At times, he saw the heavens opened ; and as he gazed above, he saw the Lord Jesus.

Our father passed out of this world, under the guidance of Christ ; and, glorious by his miracles, he was taken to the courts of heavenly light.

Mercifully grant unto us, O good Jesus ! by his intercession, that we may enter into joy. Amen.

The following antiphons and prayers are taken from the Officium Sancti Patricii, Paris, 1622 :

Ant. Veneranda imminentis diei solemnia, laeta mente, concelebrat fidelium turma ; quo beatus praesul Patricius, deposita corporali gleba, felix migravit ad regna ccelestia.

Ant. Ave praesul egregie, pastor gregis Hiberniae ! 0 Patrici, praesul pie, nostrae custos familiae, funde preces quotidie, pro nobis, Regi gloriae.

Ant. The faithful people, with glad souls, celebrate the venerable solemnity of this day's feast ; whereon the blessed pontiff Patrick laid aside the burden of mortality, and joyfully took his flight to the heavenly kingdom.

Ant. Hail illustrious pontiff, pastor of Hibernia's flock! O Patrick! holy bishop ! the guardian of our people ! pray for us daily to the King of glory. by Google

LENT

Ant. Benedictus sit Dominus universorum, qui suam visitavit plebem per beatum Patricium, cujus prece absolvamur a vinculis criminum, et requie perfruamur cum illo beatorum.

Ant. Blessed be the Lord of all, who hath visited his people by blessed Patrick ; by whose prayers may we be loosed from the bonds of our sins, and come to the enjoyment of rest of the blessed, together with him.

Another favourite antiphon, used in the ancient Proper Office of St. Patrick, was composed of the words spoken to him by the angel :

Ant. Hibernenses omnes Ant. clamant ad te pueri : Veni, sancte Patrici, salvos nos O facere.

All the children of Ireland cry out to thee : Come, holy Patrick, and save us !

We conclude these liturgical extracts with a prayer from an ancient manuscript breviary of Armagh.

PRAYER

Deus qui beatum Patricium Scotorum apostolum tua procidentia elegisti, ut Hibernenses gentes, in tenebris et in errore gentilitatis errantes, per lavacra regenerationis filios Dei excelsi efficeres: tribue nobis qusesumus, ut ejus interce8sionibus ad ea quae recta sunt quantocyus festinemus. Per Dominum.

O God, by whose providence the blessed Patrick was chosen to be the apostle of the Irish ; that thus the people of Hibernia, who had gone astray in darkness and in the errors of the Gentiles, might be made children of the Most High by the laver of regeneration : grant, we beseech thee, that by his intercession, we may hasten without delay to the paths of justice. Through, etc.

Thy life, great saint, was spent in the arduous toils, of an apostle ; but how rich was the harvest thou didst reap ! Every fatigue seemed to thee light, if only thou couldst give to men the precious gift of faith ; and the people to whom thou didst leave it have kept it with a constancy which is one of thy greatest glories. Pray for us, that this faith, with- out which it is impossible to please God, may take possession of our hearts and minds. It is by faith that the just man liveth, says the prophet, and it is faith that, during this holy season of Lent, is showing us the justice and mercy of God, in order that we may be converted, and offer to our offended Lord the tribute of our penance. We are afraid of what the Church imposes on us, simply because our faith is weak. If our principles were those of faith, we should soon be mortified men. Thy life, though so innocent, and so rich in good works, was one of extraordinary penance : get us thy spirit, and help us to follow thee, at least at a humble distance. Pray for Erin, that dear country of thine, which loves and honours thee so fervently. She is threatened with danger even now, and many of her children have left the faith thou didst teach. An odious system of proselytism has disturbed thy flock ; protect it, and suffer not the children of martyrs to be apostates. Let thy fatherly care follow them that have been driven by suffering to emigrate from their native land : may they keep true to the faith, be witnesses of the true religion in the countries to which they have fled, and ever show themselves to be the obedient children of the Church. May their misfortunes thus serve to advance the kingdom of God. Holy pontiff ! intercede for England ; pardon her the injustice she has shown to thy children ; and, by thy powerful prayers, hasten the happy day of her return to Catholic unity. Pray, too, for the whole Church ; thy prayer, being that of an apostle, easily finds access to Him that sent thee.