The Confession of St. Patrick: Part Three
Of His Calling Into Ireland, And Of Many Impediments
From: 385 C.E. To: 431 C.E.
Location: Armagh, Ireland
Note: This article has been excerpted from a larger work in the public domain and shared here due to its historical value. It may contain outdated ideas and language that do not reflect TOTA’s opinions and beliefs.
“Of His Calling Into Ireland, And Of Many Impediments.” from The Confession of St. Patrick translated by Rev. Thomas Olden, 1853.
Sec 10.
And again, after a few years, I was in Britain with my parents, who received me as a son, and besought me earnestly that then at least, after so great tribulations as I had endured, I should not go away from them any more. And there I saw in a vision of the night a man whose name was Victoricius, coming as if from Ireland with innumerable letters, one of which he handed to me, and I read the beginning of the letter, which ran thus, "The voice of the people of Ireland;" and while I was reading aloud the beginning of the letter, I thought at that very moment I heard the voice of those who were near the Wood of Foclud, which is by the Western Sea, and they cried out thus as if with one voice, "We entreat thee, holy youth, to come and walk still, among us." And I was very much pricked to the heart, and could read no more, and so I awoke. Thanks be to God, that after very many years the Lord has granted to them according to their cry.
Sec. 11.
And on another night [some one], I know not, God knows, whether in me or near me, spoke in most eloquent language, which I heard and could not understand, except that at the end of the speech he addressed me thus, "Who for thee laid down his life?” and so I awoke full of joy, and again I saw one praying on me, and I was as it were within my body, and I heard him over me, that is, over the inner man, and there he prayed fervently with groanings, and during this time I was full of astonishment, and was wondering and considering who it could be that was praying in me; but at the end of the prayer he declared that it was The Spirit; and so I awoke, and remembered that the Apostle says, "The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered," that is, expressed in words: and again, "The Lord our Advocate makes intercession for us."
And when I was sorely tried by some of my elders, who came and [spoke of] my sins as an objection to my laborious episcopate; on that day in particular I was almost driven to fall away, not only for time, but for eternity; but the Lord spared a convert and a stranger; and for the honour of his name he in his mercy powerfully succoured me in this severe affliction, because I was not entirely deserving of censure as regards the blame and disgrace now brought on me. I pray God they may not be accounted guilty of the sin of laying stumbling-blocks [in a brother's way.] After thirty years they found me, and charged against me the word which I confessed before I was a deacon.
Sec. 12.
From anxiety of mind, I told my dearest friend in sorrow what I had done in my boyhood one day, nay, rather one hour, because I was not yet used to overcome [temptation].I know not, God knows, if I was then fifteen years of age, and from my childhood I was not a believer in the true God, but continued in death and unbelief until I was severely chastened; and in truth I have been humbled by hunger and nakedness, and on the other hand, I did not come to Ireland of my own desire, nor until I was almost worn out, but this proved rather a benefit to me, for thus I was corrected by the Lord, and he rendered me fit to be at this day what was once far from my thoughts, so that I should interest or concern myself for the salvation of others, for at that time I had no thoughts even about myself.
And in the night succeeding the day when I was reproved by being reminded of the things above-mentioned, I saw in a vision of the night my name written against me without a title of honour, and meanwhile I heard a Divine response, saying to me, "We have seen with displeasure the face of the [Bishop] elect, and his name stripped of its honours." He did not say thus, "Thou hast seen," but, "We have seen with displeasure," as if he there joined himself with me; even as he has said, "He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of my eye." Therefore I give thanks to him who has comforted me in all things, that he did not hinder me from the journey which I had proposed, and also as regards my work which I had learned of Christ. From this trial I saw more clearly that I possessed no little strength, and my faith was approved before God and men.
Sec. 13.
Wherefore I say boldly, I fear no reproaches of conscience now or hereafter. God is my witness that I have not lied in what I have stated to you, but I feel the more grieved that my dearest friend, whom I trusted even with my life [should have been the cause] of my being rewarded with such a response; and I learned from some brethren, that before that defence, on an occasion when I was not present, and when I was not in Britain, and with which I had nothing to do, he defended me in my absence.
He had also said to me with his own mouth, "You are to be raised to the rank of Bishop." What could have influenced him that he should afterwards before all, good and bad, and myself, publicly throw discredit on me with respect to an office which he had before spontaneously and gladly offered? There is a Lord who is greater than all—I have said enough. But yet I ought not to hide the gift of God, which was given me in the land of my captivity: because I sought him earnestly then, and I found him there, and he preserved me from all iniquities; so I believe, "because of his spirit that dwelleth in me," and has worked in me even to this day; God knows if it were man who had spoken to me, I would perhaps have been silent for the love of Christ.
Sec. 14.
Wherefore I give unceasing thanks to God, who preserved me faithful in the day of my temptation, so that I can this day confidently offer up my soul as "a living sacrifice" to Christ my Lord, who preserved me from all my troubles; so that I may say, "Who am I, O Lord, or what is my calling, that thou hast granted me so much of thy Divine presence?” So that at this day I can constantly rejoice among the nations, and magnify thy name wherever I may be, not only in prosperity, but in adversity [teaching me] that I ought to accept with a contented mind whatever may befall me, whether good or evil, and always give thanks to God, who showed me that I should believe in him for ever without doubting, and who heard me that although I am ignorant, I should in these last days attempt to undertake so holy and wonderful a work, so that I should imitate those who the Lord long since foretold should preach his Gospel "for a witness to all nations" before the end of the world, which has been so accomplished as we have seen. So we are witnesses, that the Gospel has been preached up to the limits of human habitation.
Patrick. The Confession of St. Patrick. Translated by Thomas Olden, James McGlashan, 1853.
About TOTA
TOTA.world provides cultural information and sharing across the world to help you explore your Family’s Cultural History and create deep connections with the lives and cultures of your ancestors.
