Page 63 - Demo

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412-415. In preparation for his work in Ireland, Patrick then went to the college of Auxerre to study under Bishop, later St Germain. It was here, that in due course, some sources say about 418, he was ordained a Christian priest. It is also recorded that he may have tarried for some time at Marmouthier, near Tours, with his uncle, afterwards St.Martin.
Because Patrick grew up in a world whose mores and Christianity were provincial Ro- man, in an area which never lost its Celtic identity and customs, he would have been familiar with the Celtic festivals of the pre-Christian calendar and as a result, able to accommodate with ease both beliefs. It is known that even though some of Patrick’s family had been or- dained they did not appear to have a great interest or passion for their work. In fact, Patrick refers to himself as being rather indiferent to Christainity as a youth.
Patrick remained in Auxere until 432, when having been consecrated Bishop Patricius in Rome, the then 42 year old was sent to undertake the conversion of the Irish people and to organize the Church in Ireland.
Patrick and his company of twenty priests and deacons reached Ireland towards the end of 432 A.D., when King Laoghaire, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages was High King: in fact during the whole 29 years of Patrick’s mission in Ireland, Laoghaire sat as High King. They landed irst at Wicklow, but just like Palladius before him, Patrick too was expelled. Undaunted, he next put ashore at Loch Cuan ‘Strangford Lough,’ where in an auspicious beginning, Dichu, the local tuath-king of the district, became his irst convert. It is told that in a Sabhall-‘Saul’, or barn, presented to him by Dichu, in present-day county Down, Patrick established his irst church in Ireland, which afterwards became known as Sabhall Phádraig- ‘Patrick’s Barn.’ Following an unsuccessful attempt to convert Milchu, who may have been one of his former slave-masters, Patrick set out and proceeding by the left bank of the river Boyne, journeyed on to King Laoighaire’s residence at Tara.