Signs of the Times  

      .....He travelled over the whole island, penetratinginto the remotest corner and such was the fruit of his preachings and sufferings that he baptized an infinite number of people.  He ordained everywhere--clergymen, induced women to live in holy widowhood and continence, consecrated virgins to Christ, and instituted monks.  He took nothing from the many thousands whom he baptized, and often gave back the little presents which some laid on the altar, choosing rather to mortify the fervent than to scandalize the weak or the infidels.  He gave freely of his own, however, both to pagans and Christians, distributed large alms to the poor in the provinces where he passed, made presents to the kings, judging that necessary for the progress of the Gospel, and maintained and educated many children, whom he trained up to erve at the altar.  The happy success of his labors cost him many persecutions.
          A certain prince named Corotick, a Christian in name only, disturbed the peace of his flock.  This tyrant, having made a descent into Ireland, plundered the country where St. Patrick had been just conferring confirmation on a great number of neophytes, who were yet in their white garments after Baptism.  Corotick massacred many and carried away others, who he sold to the infidel Picts or Scots.  The next day the Saint sent the barbarian a letter entreating him to restore the Christian captives, and at least part of the booty he had taken, that the poor people might not perish for want, but was only answered by railleries.  The Saint, therefore, wrote with his own hand a letter.  In it he styles himself a sinner and an ignorant man; he declares, nevertheless, that he is established Bishop of Ireland, and pronounces Corotick and the other parricides and accomplices separated from him and from Jesus Christ, whose place he holds, forbidding any to eat with them, or to receive their alms til they should have satisfied God by the tears of sincere penance, and restored the servants of Jesus Christ to their liberty.  This letter expresses his most tender love for his flock, and his grief for those who had been slain, yet mingled with joy because they reign with the prophets, apostles and martyrs.  Jocelin auures us that Corotick was overtaken by the divine vengeance.
         St. PAtrick held several councils to settle the discipline of the Church which he had planted.  St. Bernard and the tradition of the country testify that St. PAtrick fixed his metropolitan see at Armagh.  He established some other bishops, as appears by his Counil and other monuments.  He not only converted the whole country by his preaching and wonderful miracles, but also cultivated this vineyard with so fruitful a benediction and increasefrom heaven a most flourishing garden in the Church of God and a country of Saints.
       Ireland is the nursery where St. PAtrick sent forth his missionaries and teachers.  Glastonbury and Lindisfarne, Ripon and Malmesbury,bear testimon to the labors of Irish priests and bishops for the conversion of England.  Iona is to this day the most venerated spot in Scotland.  Columban, Fiacre, Gall and many others evangelized the 'rough places' of France and Switzerland.  America and Australia, in modern times, owe their Christianity to the faith and zeal of the sons and daughters of St. Patrick.

   Reflection:  By the instrumentality of St. PAtrick, the Faith is now as fresh in Ireland, as when it was planted.  Ask him to obtain for you the special grace of his children--to prefer the loss of earthly good to the least compromise in matters of faith.
                                                                                  --"Butler's Lives of the Saints"