The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick: Including the Life by Jocelin, Hitherto Unpublished in America, and His Extant Writings
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The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick: Including the Life by Jocelin, Hitherto Unpublished in America, and His Extant Writings
Patrick, Saint, 373?-463?
And Saint Patrick had a certain herdsman named Rodanus, and he was
exceeding religious; and this man in his pastoral duty lived a hermit's
life, and often being absorbed in prayer, he pastured the cows and the
young calves together. And at the command of Saint Patrick, the whole
herd was wondrously retained under his control, nor was any disturbance
or confusion there among, for never did the calves approach their
mothers, nor depart from them, other than at the bidding of Rodanus;
and this he did by the authority and the power of his father, Saint
Patrick. And he after a while learning letters, acquired sufficiently
the knowledge thereof, and attaining the episcopal degree, he
flourished during his life and after his death by manifold miracles.
CHAPTER CXLIII.
_Of Saint Kertennus, the Bishop of Clochor._
And Kertennus, a disciple of Saint Patrick, bore the saint, now worn
with age, on his shoulders, for so necessity required; and by his
panting showed he his weakness or weariness. And the saint said unto
him, "Often hast thou carried me, yet never before have I perceived
thee thus to pant." Then answered Kertennus, "Wonder not, holy father,
for now hath mine age come on me, and my companions whose years are as
mine have from the forecast of thy bounty received the refreshment of a
little rest; and mine head is covered with gray hairs, and I labor with
daily toil, and earnestly do I long for quiet, which above all things
else I need." Therefore Saint Patrick compassionating Kertennus,
promised unto him a place fitted for contemplation, yet not unsuited to
the exercise of pious duties. And as he much desired the presence of
so worthy a disciple, he provided for him a church; yet not too remote
from the archiepiscopal seat, which at the angel's command he had
builded in Ardmachia; nor yet too near, lest by succeeding archbishops
he should be oppressed; thus was it done, that in his frequent visits
to Saint Patrick the man of God should not by the distance be wearied,
nor his church appear contemptible by too close a neighborhood. And
after some days he placed him over the church of Clochor, which the
saint himself then ruled; and when he had thereto consecrated him, he
gave unto him a chrismatory, which he had received from heaven. And
Saint Kertennus there dwelling, and exercising within doors the office
of an abbot, and abroad the office of a bishop, cherished his gray
hairs, and finished his life in holiness.
CHAPTER CXLIV.
_Of a Boy who was blessed by Saint Patrick._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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