the real St. Patrick (part one)
In honor of St. Patrick,especially this month, I would like to reflect on some of the stories of the man that not many have heard about. Patrick was an amazing man who gave his life for the irish people he fell in love with and to bring them the hope of Jesus. This story in particular I read in a great book, “Wisdom of the Celtic Saints”, by Edward C. Sellner. So enjoy the story:
There was in the country of Airthir a rich and respected man called Daire. Patrick asked him to give him some place for his religious observances. The rich man said to the saint, “What place do you want?”
“I want you to give me that piece of high ground called Willow Ridge, and I shall build a place there,” answered Patrick. The man refused to give the saint that high ground but gave him another site on lower ground now called the Martyrs’ Graveyard near Armagh. Patrick lived there with his followers.
After some time a groom of Daire brought his remarkable horse to graze in the Christians’ grassy meadow. Patrick was annoyed that the horse was brought onto his ground and said, “Daire has acted stupidly in sending his brute beasts to disturb the little ground that he gave to God.” But the groom like a deaf man did not hear, and like a dumb man not opening his mouth he said nothing. He let the horse loose there for the night and went away. When the groom came back the following morning to see his horse, he found it dead. Returning home he sadly reported to his master, “Look, that Christian has killed your horse, since the disturbance annoyed him,”
Daire replied, “Let him be killed too–go now and slay him.”
But as they went outside death fell on Daire quick as a flash. His wife said: “This death is because of the Christian. Someone go quickly and have his blessings brought back to us, and you will be saved; and let those who have gone off to kill him be stopped and recalled.”
Two men went off to the Christian, and concealing what had actually happened said to him, “Look, Daire has been taken ill; let something be brought to him from you so that he may be cured.”
St. Patrick, knowing what had happened, said, “To be sure.” He blessed some water and gave it to them saying, “Go, sprinkle your horse with this water and take it with you.” They did so, and the horse came back to life. Then they sprinkled Daire with the water and he was cured immediately.
Afterward, Daire came to honor Patrick, bringing with him a wonderful bronze bowl from across the sea. “Here is your bowl,” he said to Patrick. “For you are a firm, steadfast man. What is more, I give you, as far as it is mine to give, that piece of ground you once requested; live there.” That city is now called Armagh.
