PL 53 · cols. 801–814

Patrick, Confession

Editors' preface

S. PATRICII CONFESSIO,

THE CONFESSION OF ST. PATRICK,

IN EPISTOLA AD HIBERNOS EXPLICATA.

SET OUT IN A LETTER TO THE IRISH.

I. Ego Patricius peccator, rusticissimus et minimus omnium fidelium, et contemptibilissimus apud plurimos, patrem habui Calpornium diaconem, filium quondam Potiti presbyteri, qui fuit in vico Bonavem Taberniae: villulam Enon prope habuit, ubi capturam dedi. Annorum eram tunc fere sedecim. Deum verum ignorabam; et Hiberione in captivitate adductus sum, cum tot millibus hominum, secundum merita nostra, quia a Deo recessimus et praecepta ejus non custodivimus, et sacerdotibus nostris non obedientes fuimus, qui nostram salutem admonebant: et Dominus induxit super nos iram animationis suae, et dispersit nos in gentibus multis, etiam usque ad ultimum terrae, ubi nunc parvitas mea esse videtur inter alienigenas. Et ibi Dominus aperuit sensum incredulitatis meae, ut vel sero rememorarem delicta mea, et ut converterer toto corde ad Dominum Deum meum; qui respexit humilitatem meam, et misertus est adolescentiae et ignorantiae meae, et custodivit me antequam scirem eum, et antequam saperem vel distinguerem inter bonum et malum, et munivit me et consolatus est me, ut pater filium.

I. I, Patrick, a sinner, most rustic and the least of all the faithful, and most contemptible in the eyes of very many, had for my father Calpornius, a deacon, son of the late Potitus, a priest, who was of the village of Bonavem Taberniae: he had a small estate, Enon, near by, where I was taken captive. I was then about sixteen years old. I did not know the true God; and I was led into captivity to Ireland with so many thousands of men, according to our deserts, because we had departed from God and had not kept His commandments, and had not been obedient to our priests, who used to admonish us about our salvation: and the Lord brought upon us the wrath of His indignation, and scattered us among many nations, even to the uttermost part of the earth, where my littleness is now seen to be among strangers. And there the Lord opened the understanding of my unbelief, that even late I might call my sins to mind, and that I might turn with my whole heart to the Lord my God; Who looked upon my lowliness, and had pity on my youth and ignorance, and kept me before I knew Him, and before I had understanding or could distinguish between good and evil, and He strengthened me and comforted me, as a father does his son.

II. Unde autem tacere non possum, neque expedit quidem, tanta beneficia et tantam gratiam quam mihi (Dominus praestare) dignatus (est) in terra captivitatis meae: quia haec est retributio nostra, ut post correctionem vel agnitionem Dei exaltaremur, et confiteremur mirabilia ejus coram omni natione quae est sub omni coelo: quia non est alius Deus, nec unquam fuit nec erit post hunc, praeter Deum Patrem ingenitum sine principio, a quo est omne principium, omnia tenens, ut diximus: et hujus Filium Jesum

II. Whence, moreover, I cannot keep silent, nor indeed is it expedient, about such great benefits and so great a grace as (the Lord) deigned (to bestow) on me in the land of my captivity: for this is our recompense, that after correction or the knowledge of God we should be exalted, and should confess His wonders before every nation that is under the whole heaven: because there is no other God, nor ever was, nor will be after Him, except God the Father, unbegotten, without beginning, from Whom is all beginning, holding all things, as we have said: and His Son Jesus […]

Editors' notes and page, col. 801

Footnotes

(a) ‹Potiti presbyteri› · printed under col 801

Bollandd. tom. II Martii, pag. 533, hanc S. Patricii confessionem ex vetustissimo Nobiliacensis S. Vedasti monasterii codice descriptam edidere. Hic vero legunt: Qui fuit e vico Banaven Taberniae. Waraeus vero haec margini allevit: De vico Bannavae, Tyburniae regionis, haud procul a mari Occidentali, Probus lib. i de Vita Patricii.

The Bollandists, vol. II of March, p. 533, published this confession of St. Patrick, copied from a very old manuscript of the monastery of St. Vedast of Nobiliacum. Here, however, they read: Who was of the village of Banaven Taberniae. Ware, however, noted this in the margin: Of the village of Bannava, of the Tyburnian region, not far from the western sea, Probus, book 1, On the Life of Patrick.

(b) ‹vico Bonavem Taberniae› · printed under col 801

Bolland. l. c. villam enim. Forte minus recte. Mox iidem Bolland., in capturam decidi. Sed lectio vulgata confirmatur iterum infra §§ 4 et 10.

The Bollandists, loc. cit., for he had an estate. Perhaps less correctly. Shortly after, the same Bollandists: I fell into captivity. But the common reading is confirmed again below, §§ 4 and 10.

Non ignorantia fidei, sed affectuosi et uni prorsus dediti famulatu: quae licet culpa expers, viro tamen sancto justa humiliandi sui causa fuit. Bolland. l. c., pag. 534.

Not ignorance of the faith, but of an affectionate service wholly devoted to Him alone: which, though free from fault, was yet for a holy man a just cause for humbling himself. Bollandists, loc. cit., p. 534.

(d) ‹Deum verum ignorabam; et› · printed under col 802

Ita etiam appellatur Hibernia in Antonini Itinerario ut observatum Usserio in Antiqq. Eccles. Britan., pag. 431 edit. 2. Videsis Wesselingium ad Vet. Roman. Itiner., pag. 509.

Ireland is so called also in the Itinerary of Antoninus, as was observed by Ussher in the Antiquities of the British Churches, p. 431, 2nd ed. See Wesseling on the Ancient Roman Itineraries, p. 509.

(e) ‹induxit super nos› · printed under col 802

Τὴν ὀργὴν τοῦ θυμοῦ αὐτοῦ. II Paral. XXIX, 10. Usser. l. c.

The wrath of His anger. 2 Chr. 29:10. Ussher, loc. cit.

(f) ‹gratiam quam mihi (› · printed under col 802; the call stands inside the opening bracket, before Dominus

Desunt in codice Armachano omnia sequentia intra uncos ( ) inclusa, usque ad finem confessionis. War. — Aliter apud Bolland.

In the Armagh manuscript all the following words enclosed in round brackets ( ), up to the end of the confession, are lacking. Ware. — Otherwise in the Bollandists.

(g) ‹a quo est omne principium,› · printed under col 802

Bolland. post principium exhibent, per ipsum quippe facta sunt omnia visibilia et invisibilia: quae hic paulo post occurrunt. Verum apud Bollandianos intermedia quae hoc loco leguntur, vitio librarii ob repetitam vocem principium videntur omissa.

After beginning the Bollandists give: for through Him indeed all things visible and invisible were made; which words occur here a little later. But in the Bollandists the intervening words read at this place seem to have been omitted through a copyist's fault, because of the repeated word beginning.

Page

running head: 801 CONFESSIO. (page head across cols 801–802: 801 CONFESSIO. 802)
marginal letters: A ‹Cottoniana; ex quo› (in the editors' notice above the title, outside the unit); B ‹I. Ego Patricius peccator›; C ‹sum incredulitatis meae›; D ‹ingenitum sine principio›
old-edition numerals: none
signature: none
other: the upper part of the column (above the title) is the end of the editors' notice on the manuscripts and editions of Patrick, begun in col 799; it is not part of this unit and is not set here. The title S. PATRICII CONFESSIO, / IN EPISTOLA AD HIBERNOS EXPLICATA. is printed across both columns (801–802) below the notice and is set here, where the work begins.

PL 53:802

Christum, quem cum Patre scilicet fuisse semper testamur, ante originem saeculi, spiritualiter apud Patrem, inenarrabiliter genitum ante omne principium, et per ipsum facta sunt visibilia et invisibilia, hominem factum devicta morte, in coelos ad Patrem receptum. Et dedit illi omnem potestatem super omne nomen coelestium et terrestrium et infernorum, ut omnis lingua confiteatur, quia Dominus et Deus est Jesus Christus (Philip. II, 10, 11): quem credimus, et exspectamus adventum ipsius; mox futurus judex vivorum et mortuorum, qui reddet unicuique secundum facta sua, et infudit in nobis abunde Spiritus sancti donum et pignus immortalitatis, qui facit credentes et obedientes, ut sint filii Dei Patris et cohaeredes Christi, quem confitemur et adoramus, unum Deum in Trinitate sacri nominis. Ipse enim dixit per prophetam: Invoca me in die tribulationis tuae, et liberabo te, et magnificabis me (Jer. XXIX, 12; Psal. LXXX, 8). Et iterum inquit: Opera autem Dei revelare et confiteri honorificum est (Tob. XII, 7):

[…] Christ, Who, we testify, was always with the Father, before the beginning of the world, spiritually with the Father, ineffably begotten before every beginning, and through Him were made things visible and invisible; made man, having overcome death, received into the heavens to the Father. And He gave Him all power above every name of things in heaven and on earth and under the earth, that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and God (Phil. 2:10, 11): in Whom we believe, and Whose coming we await; soon to be the judge of the living and the dead, Who will render to each according to his deeds; and He has poured out upon us abundantly the gift of the Holy Spirit and the pledge of immortality, Who makes those who believe and obey to be sons of God the Father and joint heirs with Christ, Whom we confess and adore, one God in the Trinity of the sacred name. For He Himself said through the prophet: Call upon me in the day of your tribulation, and I will deliver you, and you shall magnify me (Jer. 29:12; Ps. 80:8). And again He says: Moreover, it is honourable to reveal and confess the works of God (Tob. 12:7):

III. Tamen etsi in multis imperfectus sum, opto fratres et cognatos meos scire qualitatem meam, ut possint perspicere votum animae meae. Non ignoro testimonium Domini mei qui in psalmo testatur: Perdes eos qui loquuntur mendacium (Psal. V, 7) et iterum: Os quod mentitur occidit animam (Sap. I, 11). Et idem Dominus in Evangelio inquit: Verbum otiosum quod locuti fuerint homines, reddent pro eo rationem in die judicii (Matth. XII, 36). Unde autem vehementer (debueram) cum timore et tremore metuere hanc sententiam in die illa, ubi nemo poterit se subtrahere vel abscondere, sed omnes omnino reddituri

III. Yet although I am imperfect in many things, I wish my brothers and kinsfolk to know what manner of man I am, so that they may be able to perceive the desire of my soul. I am not ignorant of the testimony of my Lord, Who testifies in the psalm: Thou shalt destroy those who speak falsehood (Ps. 5:7); and again: The mouth that lies kills the soul (Wis. 1:11). And the same Lord says in the Gospel: The idle word that men shall have spoken, they shall render account for it on the day of judgement (Matt. 12:36). Whence, moreover, I (ought) greatly, with fear and trembling, to dread this sentence on that day, when no one will be able to withdraw or hide himself, but all without exception [are] to render […]

Editors' notes and page, col. 802

Footnotes

(d) printed under col 802; call in col 801, set in n801 (e) printed under col 802; call in col 801, set in n801 (f) printed under col 802; call in col 801, set in n801 (g) printed under col 802; call in col 801, set in n801

Page

running head: CONFESSIO. 802 (page head across cols 801–802: 801 CONFESSIO. 802)
marginal letters: A ‹Jac. Sirmondo descriptam› (in the editors' notice above the title, outside the unit); B ‹Christum, quem cum Patre›; C ‹Ipse enim dixit›; D ‹re hanc sententiam›
old-edition numerals: none
signature: none
other: the upper part of the column (above the title) is the end of the editors' notice on the manuscripts and editions, outside the unit and not set. The work's title is printed across cols 801–802 and set once in col 801; the rail of col 802 stands where its text resumes below the title.

PL 53:803

sumus rationem etiam minimorum peccatorum ante tribunal Christi Domini. Quapropter olim cogitavi scribere, sed usque nunc haesitavi. Timui enim ne inciderem in linguam hominum: et quia non legi, sicut caeteri qui optime itaque jure et sacras litteras utroque pari modo combiberunt, et sermonem illorum ex infantia nunquam mutaverunt, sed magis ad perfectum semper addiderunt.

[…] account even of the least sins before the judgement seat of Christ the Lord. Wherefore I long ago thought of writing, but until now I have hesitated. For I feared lest I should fall into the tongue of men: and because I have not read as the others have, who in the best manner, therefore, have drunk in both law and the sacred letters, each in equal measure, and have never changed their speech from infancy, but rather have always added to it towards perfection.

IV. Nam sermo et loquela nostra translata est in linguam alienam, sicut facile potest probari ex saliva scripturae meae, qualiter sum ego in sermonibus instructus atque eruditus; quia inquit Sapiens: Per linguam dignoscitur et sensus, et scientia, et doctrina veritatis (Eccli. IV, 29). Sed quid prode⟨s⟩t excusatio juxta veritatem, praesertim cum praesumptione? quatinus modo ipse appeto in senectute mea, quod in juventute non comparavi, quia obstiterunt (peccata mea) ut confirmarem quod ante non perlegeram. Sed quis me credit? Etsi dixero quod ante praefatus sum; adolescens, imo pene puer imberbis capturam dedi, antequam scirem quid peterem, vel quid vitare debueram. Unde ego hodie erubesco et vehementer pertimeo denudare imperitiam meam, quia diserti brevitate sermonis explicare nequeo, sicut spiritus gestit et animus, et sensus monstrat et affectus. Sed si itaque datum mihi fuisset sicut caeteris, verumtamen non silerem propter retributionem. Et si forte videtur apud aliquantos me in hoc praeponere cum mea inscitia et tardiori lingua (scriptum est enim: Linguae balbutientes velociter discent loqui pacem [Isai. XXXII, 4]), quanto magis nos appetere debemus qui sumus, inquit, Epistola Christi, in salutem usque ad ultimum terrae, etsi non diserta, sed rata et fortissime scripta in cordibus vestris, non atramento, sed Spiritu Dei vivi (II Cor. III, 2, 3).

IV. For our speech and language has been translated into a foreign tongue, as can easily be proved from the savour of my writing, how I have been instructed and schooled in speech; for, says the Wise Man: By the tongue is discerned understanding, and knowledge, and the teaching of truth (Sir. 4:29). But what does an excuse avail, in keeping with the truth, especially with presumption? since now in my old age I myself strive after what I did not acquire in youth, because (my sins) prevented me from confirming what I had not read through before. But who believes me? Even if I should say what I stated before: as a youth, indeed almost a beardless boy, I was taken captive, before I knew what I ought to seek, or what I ought to avoid. Hence today I blush and greatly fear to lay bare my unskilfulness, because I cannot set things out with the brevity of an eloquent man's speech, as the spirit and the mind long to, and as the understanding and the affection show. But if indeed it had been given to me as to others, nevertheless I would not keep silent, because of the recompense. And if perhaps it seems to some that I put myself forward in this with my ignorance and my slower tongue (for it is written: Stammering tongues shall quickly learn to speak peace (Isa. 32:4)), how much more ought we to strive for it, who are, he says, a letter of Christ for salvation to the uttermost part of the earth, if not eloquent, yet valid and most strongly written in your hearts, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God (2 Cor. 3:2, 3).

V. Et iterum Spiritus testatur: Et rusticatio ab Altissimo creata est (Eccli. VII, 16). Unde ego primus rusticus perfuga, indoctus scilicet qui nescio in posterum providere: sed scio illud certissime, quia utique priusquam humiliarer, ego eram velut lapis qui jacet in luto profundo: et venit qui potens est, et in sua misericordia sustulit me; et quidem scilicet sursum allevavit et collocavit me in summo pariete. Et inde fortiter debueram exclamare, ad retribuendum quoque aliquid Domino ei pro tantis beneficiis ejus, hic et in aeternum, quae mens hominum aestimare non potest. Unde autem admiramini magni et pusilli qui timetis Deum (Apoc. XIX, 5), et vos ignari Domini rhetorici: audite ergo et scrutamini quis me stultum excitavit de medio eorum qui videntur sapientes

V. And again the Spirit testifies: And husbandry was created by the Most High (Sir. 7:16). Whence I, first a rustic, a fugitive, unlearned indeed, who do not know how to provide for the future: but this I know most certainly, that before I was humbled I was like a stone that lies in deep mud: and He Who is mighty came, and in His mercy lifted me up; and indeed raised me on high and set me on the top of the wall. And therefore I ought to cry out loudly, in order also to render something to the Lord, to Him, for His so great benefits, here and for eternity, which the mind of men cannot reckon. Wherefore, then, be amazed, great and small who fear God (Rev. 19:5), and you rhetoricians who do not know the Lord: hear therefore and search out who roused me, a fool, from the midst of those who seem to be wise […]

Editors' notes and page, col. 803

Footnotes

(a) ‹quod in juventute› · printed under col 803

Haec, ut sensus constet, addidimus ex Bollandianis: apud quos tamen paulo ante, omisso quid, perperam legitur, Sed prodest excusatio.

These words we have added from the Bollandists, so that the sense may hold: in whom, however, a little before, with quid omitted, is wrongly read: But the excuse avails.

(b) ‹Sed quis› · printed under col 803

Leg. cum Waraeo et Bolland. mihi credit.

Read with Ware and the Bollandists: mihi credit.

Apud Bolland. omissum praepostere hoc verbum.

In the Bollandists this word is wrongly omitted.

(d) printed under col 803; call in col 804, set in n804 (e) printed under col 803 (its last words under col 804); call in col 804, set in n804

Page

running head: 803 S. PATRICIUS HIBERNORUM APOSTOLUS. (page head across cols 803–804: 803 S. PATRICIUS HIBERNORUM APOSTOLUS. 804)
marginal letters: A ‹dituri sumus rationem›; B ‹ptione? quatinus modo›; C ‹citer discent loqui pacem›; D ‹tribuendum quoque aliquid›
old-edition numerals: none
signature: none
other: none

PL 53:804

esse et legis periti, et potentes in sermone et in omni re. Et me quidem detestabilem hujus mundi prae caeteris inspiravit, etsi talis essem: dummodo autem ut cum metu et reverentia et sine querela fideliter prodessem genti ad quam caritas Christi transtulit, et donavit me in vita mea, si dignus fuero: denique, ut cum humilitate et veraciter deservirem illis.

[…] to be, and skilled in the law, and powerful in speech and in everything. And me indeed, detestable to this world, He inspired before the others, even though I was such a one: yet on condition that with fear and reverence and without complaint I should faithfully do good to the nation to which the love of Christ transferred me, and gave me [to it] for my lifetime, if I shall be worthy: in short, that I should serve them with humility and truthfully.

VI. In mensura itaque fidei Trinitatis oportet distinguere et sine reprehensione periculi notum facere donum Dei et consolationem aeternam, ac sine timore fiducialiter Dei nomen ubique expandere, ut etiam post obitum meum Gallicis relinquerem fratribus et filiis meis quos ego in Domino baptizavi, tot millia hominum. Et non eram dignus neque talis, ut hoc Dominus servulo suo concederet; et post aerumnas et tantas moles, post captivitatem, post annos multos, in gentem illam tantam gratiam mihi donaret, quod ego aliquando in juventute mea nunquam speravi neque cogitavi. Sed postquam Hiberionem deveneram, quotidie (igitur) pecora pascebam et frequens in die orabam, magis ac magis accedebat amor Dei et timor ipsius, et fides augebatur, et spiritus augebatur, ut in die una usque ad centum orationes, et in nocte prope similiter; ut etiam in silvis et monte manebam, et ante lucem excitabar ad orationem per nivem, per gelu, per pluviam: et nihil mali sentiebam, neque ulla pigritia erat in me, sicut modo video, quia tunc in me spiritus fervebat. Et ibi scilicet quadam nocte, in somno audivi vocem dicentem mihi: Bene jejunas, cito iturus ad patriam tuam. Et iterum post paululum tempus, audivi responsum dicens mihi: Ecce navis tua parata est. Et non erat prope, sed forte habebat ducenta millia passus: et ibi nunquam fueram, nec ibi notum quemquam de hominibus habebam.

VI. In the measure, therefore, of faith in the Trinity, it is right to make distinctions, and without reproach of danger to make known the gift of God and the eternal consolation, and without fear to spread abroad the name of God everywhere with confidence, so that even after my death I might leave [it] to my Gallic brothers and to my sons whom I baptized in the Lord, so many thousands of men. And I was not worthy nor such that the Lord should grant this to His little servant; that after hardships and such great burdens, after captivity, after many years, He should give me so great a grace towards that nation, a thing which once, in my youth, I never hoped for nor thought of. But after I had come to Ireland, (then) I pastured flocks daily, and I prayed often in the day; more and more the love of God and the fear of Him came over me, and faith was increased, and the spirit was increased, so that in one day [I said] as many as a hundred prayers, and in the night nearly as many; so that I even stayed in the woods and on the mountain, and before dawn I was roused to prayer, through snow, through frost, through rain: and I felt no harm, nor was there any sloth in me, as I now see, because then the spirit was fervent in me. And there, indeed, one night I heard in my sleep a voice saying to me: You fast well, soon to go to your homeland. And again after a very little time, I heard an answer saying to me: Behold, your ship is ready. And it was not near, but was perhaps two hundred miles away: and I had never been there, nor did I know any man there.

VII. Et deinde postmodum conversus sum in fugam, et intermisi hominem cum quo fueram sex annis. Et veni in virtute Domini qui viam meam ad bonum dirigebat, et nihil metuebam donec perveni ad navem illam. Et illa (die) qua perveni, profecta est navis de loco suo, et locutus sum, ut haberem unde navigarem cum illis. Et gubernatori displicuit, et acriter cum indignatione respondit: Nequaquam tu nobiscum appetas ire. Et cum haec audissem, separavi me ab illis, ut venirem ad tuguriolum ubi hospitabam; et in itinere coepi orare, et antequam orationem consummarem, audivi unum ex illis fortiter exclamantem post me: Veni cito, quia vocant te homines isti. Et statim ad illos reversus sum; et coeperunt mihi dicere: Veni quia ex fide recipimus te; fac nobiscum

VII. And then afterwards I took to flight, and left the man with whom I had been six years. And I came in the strength of the Lord, Who directed my way to good, and I feared nothing until I reached that ship. And on that (day) on which I arrived, the ship set out from its place, and I spoke up, that I might have the means to sail with them. And it displeased the captain, and he answered sharply with indignation: By no means seek to go with us. And when I had heard this, I parted from them to go to the little hut where I was lodging; and on the way I began to pray, and before I had finished the prayer, I heard one of them crying out loudly after me: Come quickly, for these men are calling you. And at once I went back to them; and they began to say to me: Come, for we receive you in good faith; make […]

Editors' notes and page, col. 804

Footnotes

(d) ‹prae caeteris inspiravit,› · printed under col 803

Ita rescripsimus cum Bolland. Waraeus, si: minus apte.

So we have written it, with the Bollandists. Ware: si; less aptly.

(e) ‹ut etiam post obitum meum› · printed under col 803, running over to the head of the notes under col 804

Deest haec vox apud Bolland., qui paulo post legunt, etsi non eram dignus.

This word is lacking in the Bollandists, who a little after read: even though I was not worthy.

(f) ‹fides augebatur, et spiritus› · printed under col 804

Sic et Bolland. At Usserius l. c., pag. 432, agebatur.

So also the Bollandists. But Ussher, loc. cit., p. 432: agebatur [was moved].

(g) ‹et intermisi› · printed under col 804

Quemdam gentilem immitem regem apud quem in servitute fuerat detentus, ut habet Probus. War.

A certain cruel heathen king, by whom he had been held in servitude, as Probus has it. Ware.

(h) ‹hominem cum quo fueram› · printed under col 804

Probus habet septem. Jocelinus et alii, sex. Id.

Probus has seven; Jocelin and others, six. The same.

(i) ‹Nequaquam tu nobiscum appetas› · printed under col 804

Sine naulo scilicet, ut addit Probus. Id.

Without the fare, that is, as Probus adds. The same.

(j) ‹Veni quia ex fide› · printed under col 804

Bolland., reperimus: quod minus placet.

The Bollandists: reperimus [we find]; which is less satisfactory.

Page

running head: HIBERNORUM APOSTOLUS. 804 (page head across cols 803–804: 803 S. PATRICIUS HIBERNORUM APOSTOLUS. 804)
marginal letters: A ‹pientes esse et legis›; B ‹ut hoc Dominus servulo›; C ‹mihi: Bene jejunas›; D ‹illis, ut venirem›
old-edition numerals: none
signature: none
other: none

PL 53:805

amicitiam, quomodo volueris. Et in illa die itaque repuli fugere propter timorem Dei. Verumtamen speravi ab illis, ut mihi dicerent: Veni in fide Jesu Christi; quia gentes erant. Et hoc obtinui cum illis (et protinus navigavimus).

[…] friendship with us in whatever way you wish. And so on that day I refused to flee, because of the fear of God. Nevertheless I hoped of them that they would say to me: Come in the faith of Jesus Christ; for they were heathen. And this I obtained with them (and we set sail at once).

VIII. Et post triduum terram cepimus, et viginti octo dies per desertum iter fecimus, et cibus defuit illis, et fames invaluit super eos. Et alia die coepit gubernator mihi dicere: Quid, Christiane, dicis: Deus tuus magnus et omnipotens est? Quare ergo non potes pro nobis orare, quia nos fame periclitamur? Difficile est enim ut aliquem hominem unquam videamus. Ego enim evidenter dixi illis: Convertimini ex fide et ex toto corde ad Dominum Deum nostrum, quia nihil est illi impossibile, ut hodie cibum mittat vobis in viam vestram, usque dum satiamini: quia ubique abundat illi. Et adjuvante Deo, ita factum est. Ecce grex porcorum in via ante oculos nostros apparuit: et multos ex illis interfecerunt, et ibi duas noctes manserunt bene refecti; et carne eorum relevati sunt, quia multi ex illis defecerunt, et secus viam semivivi derelicti sunt. Et post haec summas gratias egerunt Deo, et ego honorificatus sum sub oculis eorum.

VIII. And after three days we reached land, and for twenty-eight days we made our way through a wilderness, and food failed them, and hunger overcame them. And on another day the captain began to say to me: What do you say, Christian? Your God is great and almighty? Why then can you not pray for us, since we are in peril of starvation? For it is hard to think that we shall ever see any man. But I said to them plainly: Turn in faith and with your whole heart to the Lord our God, for nothing is impossible to Him, that today He may send you food on your way, until you are satisfied: for He has abundance everywhere. And with God's help, so it came about. Behold, a herd of swine appeared on the road before our eyes: and they killed many of them, and stayed there two nights, well refreshed; and they were restored by their flesh, for many of them had fainted and been left half-dead by the wayside. And after this they gave the highest thanks to God, and I was honoured in their eyes.

IX. (Et ex hac die abundanter cibum habuerunt.) Etiam mel silvestre invenerunt, et mihi partem obtulerunt. Et unus ex illis dixit: Hoc immolatitium est. Deo gratias, exinde nihil gustavi. Eadem vero nocte eram dormiens, et fortiter tentavit me satanas, cujus memor ero quandiu fuero in hoc corpore. Et cecidit super me veluti saxum ingens, et nihil membrorum meorum praevalens. Sed unde mihi venit, ignoro, in spiritum ut Heliam vocarem. Et inter haec vidi in coelo solem oriri; et dum clamarem: Heliam! Heliam! totis viribus meis, ecce splendor solis decidit super me, et statim discussit a me omnem gravitudinem. Et credo quod a Christo Domino meo (subventus sum, et Spiritus ejus jam tunc) clamabat pro me, et spero quod sic erit in die pressurae meae, sicut in Evangelio inquit (In illa die) Dominus (testatur): Non vos estis qui loquimini, sed Spiritus Patris vestri qui loquitur in vobis (Matth. X, 20).

IX. (And from that day they had food in abundance.) They also found wild honey, and offered me a part of it. And one of them said: This is offered in sacrifice. Thanks be to God, I tasted none of it thereafter. But that same night I was sleeping, and Satan tempted me mightily, which I shall remember as long as I am in this body. And there fell upon me as it were a huge rock, and I had strength in none of my limbs. But whence it came to me, I do not know, that in spirit I should call upon Helias. And meanwhile I saw the sun rise in the sky; and while I was crying: Helias! Helias! with all my strength, behold, the splendour of the sun fell upon me, and at once shook all heaviness from me. And I believe that by Christ my Lord (I was succoured, and His Spirit even then) was crying out for me, and I hope that so it will be in the day of my distress, as the Lord says in the Gospel (In that day) (He testifies): It is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father Who speaks in you (Matt. 10:20).

X. Et iterum post annos (non) multos adhuc capturam dedi. Ea nocte prima itaque mansi cum illis. Responsum autem divinum audivi dicens mihi: Duos menses eris cum illis; quod ita factum est. Nocte illa sexagesima liberavit me Dominus de manibus eorum. Ecce in itinere providit nobis cibum et ignem, et

X. And again after (not) many years I was taken captive once more. On that first night, therefore, I stayed with them. But I heard a divine answer saying to me: You shall be with them two months; and so it came to pass. On that sixtieth night the Lord delivered me out of their hands. Behold, on the journey He provided us with food and fire, and […]

Editors' notes and page, col. 805

Footnotes

(a) ‹bene refecti;› · printed under col 805

Sic optime, ut videtur, Waraeus. At Bollandiani, Et canes eorum revelati sunt. Mendose omnino.

So Ware, very well, as it seems. But the Bollandists: And their dogs were revealed. Altogether faultily.

(b) ‹veluti saxum ingens,› · printed under col 805

Recte, ut videtur, se habet haec Waraei lectio. Bollandiani, et omnium membrorum meorum vires abstulit: qui tamen adnotant, ms. praeferre, nihil membrorum meorum praevalui, addentes ex conjectura, movere. Mox iidem: ut spiritu Eliam invocarem.

This reading of Ware's is correct, as it seems. The Bollandists: and it took away the strength of all my limbs; who, however, note that the manuscript offers: I had power in none of my limbs, adding by conjecture: to move. Shortly after, the same: that I should call upon Elias in spirit.

Vox totis addidimus ex Bolland.

The word totis we have added from the Bollandists.

(d) ‹de manibus eorum.› · printed under col 805

Apud Bollandianos haec verba paulo ante post Matthaei textum subjiciuntur. Rectius profecto, hic enim importuna videntur.

In the Bollandists these words are placed a little earlier, after the text of Matthew. More correctly indeed, for here they seem out of place.

(e) printed under col 805, running over to the head of the notes under col 806; call in col 806, set in n806

Page

running head: 805 CONFESSIO. (page head across cols 805–806: 805 CONFESSIO. 806, the second numeral worn)
marginal letters: A ‹amicitiam, quomodo volueris›; B ‹mittat vobis in viam›; C ‹dit super me veluti›; D ‹menses eris cum illis›
old-edition numerals: none
signature: none
other: none

PL 53:806

siccitate quotidie: donec quarto decimo die pervenimus ad homines. Sicut superius insinuavi, viginti et octo dies per desertum iter fecimus, et ea nocte qua pervenimus ad homines, de cibo vero nihil habuimus. Et iterum post paucos annos in Britanniis eram cum parentibus meis, qui me ut filium susceperunt: et ex fide rogaverunt me, ut vel modo ego (post tantas tribulationes quas pertuli) nunquam ab illis discederem. Et ibi scilicet vidi in visu nocte virum venientem quasi de Hiberione cui nomen Victoricius, cum epistolis innumerabilibus: et dedit mihi unam ex illis, et legi principium epistolae continentem: Vox Hiberionacum. Et dum recitabam principium epistolae, putabam ipso momento, audire vocem ipsorum qui erant juxta silvam Focluti, quae est prope mare Occidentale. Et sic exclamaverunt quasi ex uno ore: Rogamus te, sancte puer, ut venias et adhuc ambules inter nos. Et valde compunctus sum corde, et amplius non potui legere, et sic expergefactus sum. Deo gratias, quia post annos plurimos praestitit illis Dominus secundum clamorem eorum.

[…] dryness daily: until on the fourteenth day we reached men. As I indicated above, we made our way for twenty-eight days through a wilderness, and on the night on which we reached men we had nothing at all in the way of food. And again after a few years I was in Britain with my parents, who received me as a son: and they asked me in good faith that now at least (after such great tribulations as I had endured) I should never leave them. And there indeed I saw in a vision by night a man coming as if from Ireland, whose name was Victoricius, with countless letters: and he gave me one of them, and I read the beginning of the letter, which contained: The voice of the Irish. And while I was reading out the beginning of the letter, I thought that at that very moment I heard the voice of those who were beside the wood of Foclut, which is near the western sea. And thus they cried out as with one mouth: We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more. And I was greatly pierced in heart, and could read no further, and so I awoke. Thanks be to God, that after very many years the Lord granted them according to their cry.

XI. Et alia nocte, nescio, Deus scit, utrum in me, an juxta me, verbis peritissimis quae ego audivi et non potui intelligere, nisi ad postremum orationis sic affatus est: qui pro te animam suam posuit. Et sic expergefactus sum gaudibundus. Et iterum vidi in me ipsum orantem, et eram quasi intra corpus meum: et audivi super me, hoc est, super interiorem hominem; et ibi fortiter orabat gemitibus. Et inter haec stupebam, et admirabar, et cogitabam quis esset qui in me orabat. Sed ad postremum orationis sic effatus est, ut sit spiritus. Et sic experrectus sum, et recordatus sum, Apostolo dicente: Spiritus adjuvat infirmitatem nostrae orationis. Nam quid oremus sicut oportet, nescimus; sed ipse Spiritus postulat pro nobis gemitibus inenarrabilibus (Rom. VIII, 26), quae verbis exprimi non possunt. Et iterum: Dominus advocatus noster postulat pro nobis (Ibid., 34). Et quando tentatus sum ab aliquantis senioribus meis qui venerunt, ob peccata mea, contra laboriosum episcopatum meum: utique in illo die fortiter impulsus sum ut caderem hic et in aeternum. Sed Dominus pepercit proselyto et peregrino propter nomen suum benigne; et valde mihi subvenit in hac conculcatione, quod in labem et in opprobrium non male deveni. Deum oro ut non illis in peccatum reputetur occasio: nam post annos triginta invenerunt me, et adversus

XI. And another night, I do not know, God knows, whether within me or beside me, in most skilful words, which I heard and could not understand, except that at the end of the prayer He spoke thus: He Who laid down His life for you. And so I awoke full of joy. And again I saw Him praying in me, and I was as it were within my body: and I heard [Him] above me, that is, above the inner man; and there He was praying mightily with groanings. And meanwhile I was astonished, and wondered, and considered who it could be that was praying in me. But at the end of the prayer He spoke thus, that He was the Spirit. And so I awoke, and remembered the Apostle saying: The Spirit helps the infirmity of our prayer. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspeakable groanings (Rom. 8:26), which cannot be expressed in words. And again: The Lord our advocate intercedes for us (ibid., 8:34). And when I was put to the test by some of my elders, who came, because of my sins, against my laborious episcopate: surely on that day I was mightily thrust so that I might fall, here and in eternity. But the Lord kindly spared the stranger and sojourner for His name's sake; and He greatly helped me in this trampling, so that I did not come badly into disgrace and reproach. I pray God that the occasion be not reckoned to them as sin: for after thirty years they found me, and against […]

Editors' notes and page, col. 806

Footnotes

(e) ‹Hiberione cui nomen› · printed under col 805, running over to the head of the notes under col 806

Sic et Usserius l. c., pag. 433. Sed Bollandiani, Victricius: qui monent apud alios legi Victoricum et †Victorem; et hoc nomen, inquiunt, auctores passim tribuunt angelo qui toties Patricio apparebat.

So also Ussher, loc. cit., p. 433. But the Bollandists: Victricius; who point out that others read Victoricus and †Victor; and this name, they say, authors commonly give to the angel who so often appeared to Patrick.

(f) ‹epistolae continentem: Vox› · printed under col 806

Ita quoque Usserius l. c. At Bolland., Hiberionarum. Jocelinus cap. 21, Hibernigenarum.

So also Ussher, loc. cit. But the Bollandists: Hiberionarum. Jocelin, ch. 21: Hibernigenarum.

(g) ‹putabam› · printed under col 806

Al. apud Usserium, ipse in mente.

Otherwise in Ussher: ipse in mente [I myself in my mind].

(h) ‹verbis peritissimis› · printed under col 806

Bolland., verbis peritissimis, audiebam quosdam ex spiritu psallentes intra me, et nesciebam qui essent; quos ego audivi, etc.

The Bollandists: in most skilful words, I heard some singing psalms in the spirit within me, and I did not know who they were; whom I heard, etc.

(i) ‹sic affatus est:› · printed under col 806

Qui dedit animam pro te, ipse est qui loquitur in te. Lib. Armach. War.

He Who gave His life for you, He it is Who speaks in you. Book of Armagh. Ware.

(j) ‹Et iterum› · printed under col 806

Bolland., audivi.... et erat quasi.

The Bollandists: I heard.... and it was as if.

(k) ‹aliquantis senioribus meis› · printed under col 806

Sic legimus cum Bolland., ubi Waraeus habet qui venerunt et peccata.

So we read with the Bollandists, where Ware has: who came, and sins.

(l) ‹in peccatum reputetur› · printed under col 806

Sic iterum cum Bolland. Neque enim ferri potest haec Waraei lectio, occasionum. Post ann.

So again with the Bollandists. For this reading of Ware's cannot be allowed: occasionum. Post ann.

Page

running head: CONFESSIO. 806 (the numeral is worn and barely legible; page head across cols 805–806)
marginal letters: A ‹siccitate quotidie›; B ‹quae est prope mare›; C ‹haec stupebam›; D ‹labem et in opprobrium›
old-edition numerals: none
signature: none
other: after siccitate in the first line a small letter a is printed where a footnote call would stand; no note a answers it on this page (notes a–d belong to calls in col 805, e–l to col 806). Treated as a stray call and left out of the text (UNSURE). In note (e) the second name is partly illegible (daggered).

PL 53:807

verbum quod confessus fueram antequam essem diaconus.

[…] a word that I had confessed before I was a deacon.

XII. Propter anxietatem, moesto animo insinuavi amicissimo meo, quae in pueritia mea, una die gesseram, imo in una hora, quia necdum praevalebam. Nescio, Deus scit, si habebam tunc annos quindecim, et Deum vivum non credebam, neque ex infantia mea; sed in morte et in incredulitate mansi, donec valde castigatus sum, et in veritate humiliatus sum a fame et nuditate; et quotidie contra Hiberionem non sponte pergebam, donec prope deficiebam. Sed hoc potius bene mihi fuit, quia ex hoc emendatus sum a Domino, et aptavit me ut hodie essem quod aliquando longe a me erat, ut ego curas haberem aut satagerem pro salute aliorum; quando tunc etiam de meipso non cogitabam. Igitur in illo die quo reprobatus sum a memoratis supradictis (ad noctem illam), vidi in visu noctis scriptum contra faciem meam, sine honore. Et inter haec, audivi responsum (divinum) dicens mihi: Male vidimus faciem designati nudato nomine. Nec sic praedixit: Male vidisti; sed: Male vidimus, quasi ibi se junxit, sicut dixit: Qui vos tangit, quasi tangit pupillam oculi mei (Zach. II, 8). Idcirco gratias ago ei qui me in omnibus confortavit, ut non me impediret a profectione quam statueram, et de meo quoque opere quod a Christo didiceram: sed magis ex eo sensi in me virtutem non parvam, et fides mea probata est coram Deo et hominibus.

XII. Because of anxiety, with a sorrowing mind I disclosed to my dearest friend the things I had done in my boyhood in one day, nay in one hour, because I was not yet strong. I know not — God knows — whether I was then fifteen years old, and I did not believe in the living God, nor had I from my infancy; but I remained in death and in unbelief, until I was strongly chastised, and in truth was humbled by hunger and nakedness; and daily I went, not of my own will, against Ireland, until I was near to failing. But this rather was good for me, because by it I was amended by the Lord, and he fitted me so that today I should be what was once far from me — that I should have cares or take pains for the salvation of others; whereas at that time I did not even think about myself. Therefore on that day on which I was rejected by those above mentioned (towards that night), I saw in a vision of the night a writing against my face, without honour. And amid these things I heard a (divine) answer saying to me: We have seen with displeasure the face of the designated one, with his name stripped bare. Nor did He say thus beforehand: You have seen with displeasure; but: We have seen with displeasure — as though He had there joined Himself [with me], as He said: He that touches you touches as it were the pupil of my eye (Zech. 2:8). Therefore I give thanks to Him Who strengthened me in all things, that He did not hinder me from the setting-out which I had resolved on, and from my work also which I had learned from Christ: but rather from that I felt in myself no small power, and my faith was proved before God and men.

XIII. Unde autem audenter dico: Non me reprehendit conscientia mea hic et in futurum. Testem Deum habeo quia non sum mentitus in sermonibus quos ego retuli e vobis. Sed magis doleo pro amicissimo meo, cur hoc meruimus audire tale responsum, cui ego credidi etiam animam. Et comperi ab aliquantis fratribus, ante defensionem illam, quod ego non interfui, nec in Britanniis eram, nec a me orietur, ut et ille in mea absentia, pro me pulsetur. Etiam mihi ipse ore suo dixerat: Ecce dandus es tu ad gradum episcopatus, quo non eram dignus. Sed unde venit illi postmodum, ut coram cunctis bonis et malis in me publice dehonestaret, quod ante sponte et laetus indulserat? Est Dominus, qui major omnibus est. Satis dico: sed tamen non debeo abscondere donum Dei quod largitus est nobis in terra captivitatis meae: quia tunc fortiter inquisivi eum, et ibi inveni

XIII. Wherefore I say boldly: My conscience does not reproach me, here or in the time to come. I have God as witness that I have not lied in the words which I have reported to you. But I grieve the more for my dearest friend, that we should have deserved to hear such an answer — he to whom I had entrusted even my soul. And I learned from certain brethren, before that defence, that I was not present, nor was I in the Britains, nor would it arise from me, that he too in my absence should plead on my behalf. He had even said to me with his own mouth: Behold, you are to be given the rank of the episcopate — of which I was not worthy. But whence did it come to him afterwards, that before all, good and bad, he should publicly dishonour me in a matter which before, of his own accord and gladly, he had forgiven? There is the Lord, Who is greater than all. I say enough: yet I ought not to hide the gift of God which He bestowed upon us in the land of my captivity: because then I sought Him strongly, and there I

Editors' notes and page, col. 807

Footnotes

(a) ‹verbum quod confessus fueram› · printed under col 807

Supple insurrexerunt, aut quid simile; nam hiulca est oratio.

Supply insurrexerunt [they rose up], or something similar; for the sentence gapes.

(b) ‹Nescio, Deus scit,› · printed under col 807

Sic Bolland., qui mox habent Deum unum. Waraeus, si habeam: male.

So the Bollandists, who shortly after have Deum unum [the one God]. Ware: si habeam; wrongly.

Sequimur Bollandianos, qui et paulo post legunt faciem designati nudato nomine. Atque hunc locum sic interpretantur: «Videtur indicari libellus aliquis contra S. Patricii apostolatum, in quo ipse nulla addita honoris vel tituli episcopalis appellatione, simpliciter nudato nomine designabatur Patricius.» Pessime se habet lectio Waraei hoc modo: Vidi in visu noctis: Scriptum erat contra faciem meam.... Male vidimus faciem Dei signati nudato nomine.

We follow the Bollandists, who also a little after read faciem designati nudato nomine. And they interpret this place thus: «Some pamphlet against the apostolate of St. Patrick seems to be indicated, in which he was designated simply as Patrick, by his bare name, with no title of honour or episcopal rank added.» Ware's reading is very bad, running thus: I saw in a vision of the night: It was written against my face.... We have seen with displeasure the face of the one sealed by God, his name stripped bare.

(d) ‹Non me reprehendit conscientia mea› · printed under col 807

Ista omittunt Bollandiani.

The Bollandists omit these words.

(e) ‹quos ego retuli› · printed under col 807

Deest haec vocula apud Bollandianos.

This little word is lacking in the Bollandists.

(f) ‹Sed magis doleo› · printed under col 807, running over to the head of the notes under col 808

Suspicamur ipsum S. Germanum fuisse, apud quem delatus fuerit Patricius, in Britannica aliqua fortasse synodo egisse vel statuisse aliquid contra ea quae ipsemet Germanus ibidem antea adversus Pelagianos statuerat. Bolland.

We suspect that it was St. Germanus himself before whom Patrick was accused, perhaps in some British synod, of having done or decreed something against what Germanus himself had earlier decreed in that same place against the Pelagians. Bollandists.

(g) ‹pro me› · printed under col 808

Sic Bolland. ubi Waraeus, pulsaret, qui mox habet, et me publice dehonestaret.... Et Dominus.

So the Bollandists, where Ware has pulsaret, who shortly after has: and should dishonour me publicly.... And the Lord.

Page

running head: 807 S. PATRICIUS (page head across cols 807–808: 807 S. PATRICIUS HIBERNORUM APOSTOLUS. 808)
marginal letters: A ‹verbum quod confessus›; B ‹non cogitabam. Igitur›; C ‹quos ego retuli›; D in the gutter beside the notes (‹quae ipsemet Germanus› under col 808)
old-edition numerals: none
signature: none
other: the text of cols 807 (from XII.) was imported from reading R0203; the first printed line of the column (end of XI) was added by PC01.

PL 53:808

illum, et servavit me ab omnibus iniquitatibus. Sic credo, propter inhabitantem Spiritum ejus, qui operatus est usque in hanc diem in me audenter rursus. Sed scit Deus, si mihi homo effatus fuisset, forsitan tacuissem, propter caritatem Christi.

found Him, and He kept me from all iniquities. So I believe, because of His indwelling Spirit, Who has worked in me boldly again until this day. But God knows, if a man had spoken to me [thus], perhaps I should have kept silence, for the charity of Christ.

XIV. Unde ergo indefessam gratiam agam Deo meo, qui me fidelem servavit in die tentationis meae, ita ut hodie confidenter offeram illi sacrificium, ut hostiam viventem animam meam Christo Domino meo, qui me servavit ab omnibus angustiis meis: ut et dicam: Quis ego sum, Domine, vel quae est vocatio mea, qui mihi tantam divinitatem i cooperuisti? ita ut hodie in gentibus constanter exsultarem et magnificarem nomen tuum, ubicunque fuero; nec non in secundis, sed etiam in pressuris: ut quidquid mihi evenerit, sive bonum sive malum, aequaliter debeo suscipere et Deo gratias semper agere, qui mihi ostendit ut indubitabilem eum sine fine crederem, et qui me audierit: ut et ego inscius sim in novissimis diebus hoc opus tam pium et tam mirificum adire aggrederer, ita ut imitarer quospiam illos quos ante Dominus jam olim praedixerat praenuntiaturos Evangelium suum, in testimonium omnibus gentibus, ante finem mundi. Quod ita ergo (ut vidimus itaque) suppletum est. Ecce testes sumus, quia Evangelium praedicatum est usque ubi nemo ultra est.

XIV. Wherefore, therefore, I would give unwearied thanks to my God, Who kept me faithful in the day of my temptation, so that today I may confidently offer Him a sacrifice — my soul as a living victim to Christ my Lord, Who kept me from all my straits: so that I may also say: Who am I, Lord, or what is my calling, that Thou hast covered me over with so great a divinity? — so that today among the nations I should steadfastly exult and magnify Thy name, wheresoever I shall be; and not only in prosperity, but also in pressures: so that whatever shall befall me, whether good or bad, I ought to receive equally and always to give thanks to God, Who showed me that I should believe Him without end, [as] one not to be doubted, and Who has heard me: so that I too, unknowing as I am, should in the last days set myself to undertake this work, so devout and so wondrous, so that I might imitate those certain ones whom the Lord had long before foretold would announce beforehand His Gospel, for a testimony to all nations, before the end of the world. Which therefore (as we have seen, accordingly) has thus been fulfilled. Behold, we are witnesses, because the Gospel has been preached as far as the place where there is no one beyond.

XV. Longum est autem totum per singula enarrare laborem meum, vel per partes. Breviter dicam qualiter piissimus Deus de servitute saepe liberavit ex duodecim periculis, quibus periclitata est anima mea, praeter insidias multas, et quae verbis exprimere non valeo: nec et injuriam legentibus faciam. Sed dum auctorem habeo, qui novit omnia, etiam antequam fiant (ut me pauperculum pupillum). Ideo tamen responsum divinum creberrime admonuit, unde mihi haec sapientia quae in me non erat, qui nec numerum dierum noveram, neque Deum sapiebam: unde mihi postmodum donum tam magnum, tam salubre, Deum agnoscere, vel diligere: sed ut patriam, et parentes amitterem; et munera multa mihi offerebantur, cum fletu et lacrymis: et offendi illos, nec non contra votum, aliquantis de senioribus meis. Sed, gubernante Deo, nullo modo consensi, neque acquievi illis, non mea gratia, sed Deus qui vicit in me, et restitit illis omnibus, ut ego venirem ad Hibernas

XV. But it is a long thing to set out the whole of my labour in detail, or even in parts. Briefly I shall tell how the most loving God often delivered me from slavery, out of twelve dangers in which my soul was imperilled, besides many plots, and things which I have not the power to express in words: nor will I do an injury to my readers. But I have an author Who knows all things, even before they come to pass (as [He knew] me, a poor little orphan). Yet for that reason a divine answer very often warned me, whence to me this wisdom, which was not in me — I who neither knew the number of my days nor had a taste for God: whence to me afterwards a gift so great, so healthful, as to know God or to love Him: but so that I should lose my homeland and my parents; and many gifts were offered me, with weeping and tears: and I offended them, and also, against my wish, certain of my elders. But, God governing it, in no way did I consent nor yield to them — not by my own favour, but it was God Who conquered in me, and withstood them all, so that I should come to the Irish

Editors' notes and page, col. 808

Footnotes

(f) printed under col 807, its last lines under col 808; call in col 807, set in n807 (g) printed under col 808; call in col 807, set in n807

(h) ‹ab omnibus iniquitatibus.› · printed under col 808

Haec desunt apud Bolland.

These words are lacking in the Bollandists.

(i) ‹tantam divinitatem› · printed under col 808

Bolland., denudasti. Et mox, exaltarem.

The Bollandists: denudasti [Thou hast laid bare]. And shortly after: exaltarem.

(j) ‹ut et ego› · printed under col 808

Haec jure omittere videntur Bollandiani.

The Bollandists seem rightly to omit these words.

(k) ‹praedixerat› · printed under col 808

Sic Bolland. et sic legendum conjecerat Waraeus.

So the Bollandists, and so Ware had conjectured it should be read.

(l) ‹verbis exprimere non valeo:› · printed under col 808

Bolland., ne injuriam; apud quos mox: Sed auctorem Dominum.... ut me pauperculum et pusillum responsum divinum creberrime admoneret. Unde mihi, etc., cum interrogatione.

The Bollandists: ne injuriam; in whom shortly after: But the Lord as author.... that the divine answer should very often admonish me, poor and little. Whence to me, etc., as a question.

(m) ‹tam magnum, tam salubre,› · printed under col 808

Bolland., donum Dei agnoscere et diligere, ut patriam, etc.

The Bollandists: to know and love the gift of God, so that my homeland, etc.

(n) ‹cum fletu et lacrymis:› · printed under col 808

Bolland., et offendi illic contra votum aliquantis de senior.

The Bollandists: and I offended there, against the wish of some of the elders.

Page

running head: HIBERNORUM APOSTOLUS. 808 (page head across cols 807–808)
marginal letters: A ‹veni illum, et servavit›; B ‹evenerit, sive bonum›; C ‹praeter insidias multas›; D in the gutter beside the notes (‹quae ipsemet Germanus›)
old-edition numerals: none
signature: none
other: text imported from reading R0203; checked against the page, complete.

PL 53:809

gentes Evangelium praedicare, et ab incredulis contumelias perferre, ut a haurirem opprobrium peregrinationis meae, et persecutiones multas, usque ad vincula, et ut darem ingenuitatem meam pro utilitate aliorum.

nations to preach the Gospel, and to endure insults from unbelievers, that I might drink in the reproach of my pilgrimage, and many persecutions, even unto chains, and that I might give up my free birth for the profit of others.

XVI. Et si dignus fuero, promptus sum ut etiam animam meam incunctanter et libentissime pro nomine ejus, et ibi opto impendere eam usque ad mortem, si Dominus mihi indulgeret: quia valde debitor sum Deo, qui mihi tantam gratiam donavit, ut populi multi per me in Deum renascerentur, et postmodum consummarentur; et ut clerici ubique illis ordinarentur ad plebem nupervenientem ad credulitatem quam sumpsit Dominus ab extremis terrae, sicut olim promiserat per prophetas. Ad te gentes venient ab extremis terrae, et dicent: Sicut falsa comparaverunt patres nostri idola, et non est utilitas in eis (Jer. XVI, 19). Et iterum: Posui te lumen in gentibus, ut sis in salutem usque ad extremum terrae (Isai. XLIX, 6). Et ibi volo exspectare promissum ipsius, qui utique nunquam fallit, sicut in Evangelio pollicetur: Venient ab Oriente et Occidente, et recumbent cum Abraham, et Isaac, et Jacob (Matth. VIII, 11), sicut credimus, ab omni mundo venturi sunt credentes.

XVI. And if I shall be worthy, I am ready [to give] even my soul without hesitation and most gladly for His name, and there I desire to spend it even unto death, if the Lord should grant it me: because I am greatly a debtor to God, Who gave me so great a grace that many peoples should be born again unto God through me, and afterwards be brought to completion; and that clergy should everywhere be ordained for them, for a people newly come to the belief which the Lord took up from the ends of the earth, as He had promised of old through the prophets: To Thee the nations shall come from the ends of the earth, and shall say: How falsely did our fathers get themselves idols, and there is no profit in them (Jer. 16:19). And again: I have set you a light among the nations, that you may be for salvation unto the end of the earth (Isa. 49:6). And there I will wait for His promise, Who assuredly never fails, as He pledges in the Gospel: They shall come from the East and the West, and shall recline with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Matt. 8:11) — as we believe, believers are to come from the whole world.

XVII. Idcirco oportet quidem bene et diligenter piscari, sicut Dominus praemonet, dicens: Venite post me, et faciam vos fieri piscatores hominum (Matth. IV, 19). Et iterum dicit per prophetas: Ecce ego mitto piscatores et venatores multos, dicit Dominus (Jer. XVI, 16), etc. Unde autem valde oportebat retia nostra tendere, ita ut multitudo copiosa et turba Deo caperetur, ut ubique essent clerici qui baptizarent et exhortarentur populum indigentem et desiderantem, sicut Dominus in Evangelio admonet et docet, dicens: Euntes ergo docete omnes gentes, baptizantes eos in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus sancti; docentes eos observare omnia quaecunque mandavi vobis. Et ecce ego vobiscum sum omnibus diebus usque ad consummationem saeculi (Matth. XXVIII, 19, 20). Et iterum dicit: Euntes ergo in mundum universum praedicate Evangelium omni creaturae. Qui crediderit et baptizatus fuerit, salvus erit. Qui vero non crediderit condemnabitur (Marc. XVI, 15, 16). Et iterum: Praedicabitur hoc Evangelium regni universo mundo, in testimonium omnibus gentibus, et tunc veniet finis (Matth. XXIV, 14). Et item Dominus per prophetam praenuntians, inquit: Et erit in novissimis diebus, dicit Dominus: Effundam de Spiritu meo super omnem carnem, et prophetabunt filii vestri et filiae vestrae, et filii vestri visiones videbunt, et seniores vestri somnia somniabunt. Et quidem super servos meos, et super ancillas meas, in diebus illis effundam de Spiritu meo, et prophetabunt

XVII. Therefore it behoves us indeed to fish well and diligently, as the Lord forewarns, saying: Come after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men (Matt. 4:19). And again He says through the prophets: Behold, I send many fishers and hunters, says the Lord (Jer. 16:16), and so on. Wherefore it was very needful to spread our nets, so that a copious multitude and a throng should be caught for God, and that everywhere there should be clergy who would baptize and exhort a people needy and desiring it, as the Lord admonishes and teaches in the Gospel, saying: Going therefore, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of the world (Matt. 28:19, 20). And again He says: Going therefore into the whole world, preach the Gospel to every creature. He that shall believe and be baptized shall be saved. But he that shall not believe shall be condemned (Mark 16:15, 16). And again: This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world, for a testimony to all nations, and then shall the end come (Matt. 24:14). And likewise the Lord, foretelling through the prophet, says: And it shall come to pass in the last days, says the Lord: I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your sons shall see visions, and your elders shall dream dreams. And indeed upon my servants and upon my handmaids in those days I will pour out of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy

Editors' notes and page, col. 809

Footnotes

(a) ‹contumelias perferre, ut› · printed under col 809

Bolland., audirem. Mox, ut darem me et ingenuitatem.

The Bollandists: audirem [that I might hear]. Shortly after: that I might give myself and my free birth.

(b) ‹(Matth. VIII, 11),› · printed under col 809

Bolland., sicut credimur ab omni mundo venturi.

The Bollandists: as we are believed to be about to come from the whole world.

(c)–(f) printed under col 809; calls in col 810, set in n810

Page

running head: 809 CONFESSIO (page head across cols 809–810: 809 CONFESSIO. 810)
marginal letters: A ‹gentes Evangelium praedicare›; B ‹ab extremis terrae, et dicent›; C ‹caperetur, ut ubique›; D ‹tians, inquit›
old-edition numerals: none
signature: PATROL. LIII.
other: text imported from reading R0203; checked against the page, complete (the last word, hyphenated pro-/phetabunt across the break, is set whole here as the rule requires).

PL 53:810

(Joel. II, 28, 29). Et in Osea dicit: Vocabo non plebem meam, plebem meam, et non misericordiam consecutam, misericordiam consecutam (Oseae II, 24; Rom. IX, 25; I Petr. II, 10). Et erit in loco ubi dictum est: Non plebs mea vos, ibi vocabuntur filii Dei vivi (Oseae I, 10; Rom. IX, 26).

(Joel 2:28, 29). And in Osee he says: I will call that which was not my people, my people; and her that had not obtained mercy, her that has obtained mercy (Hos. 2:24; Rom. 9:25; 1 Pet. 2:10). And it shall be, in the place where it was said: You are not my people, there they shall be called the sons of the living God (Hos. 1:10; Rom. 9:26).

XVIII. Unde autem Hiberionae qui nunquam notitiam Dei habuerunt, nisi idola et immunda usque nunc semper coluerunt; quomodo nuper facta est plebs Domini, et filii Dei nuncupantur? Filii Scottorum et filiae regulorum, monachi et virgines Christi esse videntur. Et etiam una benedicta Scotta genitiva nobilis, pulcherrima, adulta erat, quam ego baptizavi. Et post paucos dies, una causa venit ad nos: insinuavit nobis responsum accepisse a nuntio Dei, et monuit etiam ut esset virgo Christi et ipsa Deo proximaret. Deo gratias: sexta ab hac die optime et avidissime arripuit illud, quod etiam omnes virgines Dei ita hoc faciunt, non sponte patrum earum, sed persecutionem patiuntur, et improperia falsa a parentibus suis: et nihilominus plus augetur numerus, et de genere nostro qui ibi nati sunt, nescimus numerum eorum, praeter viduas et continentes. Sed et illae maxime laborant, quae servitio detinentur, usque ad terrores et minas assidue perseverant. Sed Dominus gratiam dedit multis ex ancillis suis; nam etsi vetantur, tamen fortiter imitantur.

XVIII. Whence, moreover, those of Ireland, who never had knowledge of God, but until now always worshipped only idols and unclean things: how have they lately been made a people of the Lord, and are called sons of God? The sons of the Scots and the daughters of petty kings are seen to be monks and virgins of Christ. And there was also one blessed Irishwoman, noble by birth, most beautiful, grown up, whom I baptized. And after a few days she came to us on a certain matter: she made known to us that she had received an answer from a messenger of God, and he had admonished her to be a virgin of Christ and herself to draw near to God. Thanks be to God: on the sixth day from this she most excellently and most eagerly took hold of that which all the virgins of God likewise do, not with the consent of their fathers; but they suffer persecution and false reproaches from their parents: and nonetheless the number increases the more, and of those of our race who were born there, we do not know their number, besides the widows and the continent. But those women especially labour who are held in slavery; they persevere constantly even in the face of terrors and threats. But the Lord has given grace to many of His handmaids; for though they are forbidden, yet they bravely follow.

XIX. Unde autem etsi voluero amittere illas, et ut pergens in Britannias et libentissime paratus eram, quasi ad patriam et parentes: non id solum, sed eram usque Gallias visitare fratres, et ut viderem faciem sanctorum Domini mei. Scit Deus quod ego valde optabam; sed alligatus Spiritu, qui mihi protestatur si hoc fecero, ut futurum reum me esse designat; et timeo perdere laborem quem inchoavi. Et non ego, sed Christus Dominus qui me imperavit ut venirem, esse cum illis residuum aetatis meae; si Dominus voluerit et custodierit me ab omni via mala, ut non peccem coram illo. Spero autem hoc debueram, sed memet ipsum non credo, quandiu fuero in hoc corpore mortis, quia fortis est qui quotidie nititur subvertere me a fide et a proposita castitate, usque in finem vitae meae, Christo Domino meo: sed caro inimica semper trahit ad mortem, id est, ad illecebras illicite perficiendas. Et scio ex parte, quare vitam perfectam ego non egi, sicut et caeteri credentes. Sed confiteor Domino meo, et non erubesco in conspectu ipsius, quia non mentior: ex quo cognovi eum a juventute mea crevit in me amor Dei et timor ipsius, et usque nunc favente Domino fidem servavi.

XIX. Whence, moreover, even if I should wish to leave them, and I was most willingly prepared to go to Britain, as to my homeland and parents: and not that only, but I was [ready to go] even as far as Gaul to visit the brethren, and to see the face of the saints of my Lord. God knows that I greatly desired it; but I am bound by the Spirit, Who testifies to me that if I do this, He marks me out as one who will be guilty; and I fear to lose the labour that I have begun. And [it was] not I, but Christ the Lord, Who commanded me to come, to be with them for the rest of my life; if the Lord wills, and keeps me from every evil way, that I may not sin before Him. But I hope I ought [to do] this, yet I do not trust myself, as long as I am in this body of death, because he is strong who daily strives to overturn me from the faith and from the chastity I have purposed, to the end of my life, for Christ my Lord: but the hostile flesh always drags towards death, that is, towards enticements to be unlawfully fulfilled. And I know in part why I have not led a perfect life, as the other believers also [have not]. But I confess to my Lord, and I do not blush in His sight, because I do not lie: from the time I knew Him, from my youth, the love of God and the fear of Him have grown in me, and until now, by the Lord's favour, I have kept the faith.

XX. Rideat autem et insultet qui voluerit: ego

XX. But let him laugh and insult who will: I […]

Editors' notes and page, col. 810

Footnotes

Deest vox genitiva apud Bolland.

The word genitiva is lacking in the Bollandists.

(d) ‹responsum accepisse a nuntio Dei,› · printed under col 809

Bolland., qui monuit.

The Bollandists: who admonished.

(e) ‹et de genere nostro› · printed under col 809

Bolland., Quae ibi (Christo) natae sunt.

The Bollandists: Those who were born there (to Christ).

(f) ‹gratiam dedit multis ex› · printed under col 809

Sic legimus cum Bolland.; nam corrupte apud Waraeum, ancillis meis, nam sive tantum.

So we read with the Bollandists; for in Ware it is corrupt: ancillis meis, nam sive tantum.

(g) ‹etsi voluero› · printed under col 810

Bolland., dimittere illas, et pergere in Britannias, etsi libentissime.

The Bollandists: to let them go, and to proceed to Britain, even though most willingly.

(h) ‹sed Christus Dominus qui› · printed under col 810

Bolland., mihi imperavit ut venirem essemque cum illis.

The Bollandists: commanded me to come and be with them.

(i) ‹ut non peccem coram illo.› · printed under col 810

Bolland., Sperare.

The Bollandists: Sperare.

(j) ‹a fide et a proposita› · printed under col 810

Bolland., castitate religionis non fictae (quam servabo) usque, etc.

The Bollandists: the chastity of unfeigned religion (which I shall keep) to, etc.

(k) ‹ad illecebras› · printed under col 810

Bolland., in infelicitate perfruendas.

The Bollandists: to be enjoyed in unhappiness.

Page

running head: CONFESSIO. 810 (page head across cols 809–810)
marginal letters: A ‹phetabunt (Joel. II›; B ‹et monuit etiam›; C ‹eram usque Gallias›; D ‹quare vitam perfectam›
old-edition numerals: none
signature: 26
other: the first paragraph (part a) was imported from reading R0203; the rest of the column (XVIII to the first words of XX) set by PC01 in part b.

PL 53:811

non silebo, neque abscondam signa et mirabilia quae mihi a Domino ministrata sunt ante multos annos quam fierent, quasi qui novit omnia, etiam ante tempora saecularia. Unde autem debueram sine cessatione Deo gratias agere, qui saepe indulsit insipientiae meae.... Et de loco non in unoquoque, ut non mihi vehementer irasceretur, qui adjutor datus sum et non cito acquievi, secundum quod mihi ostensum fuerat, et sicut Spiritus suggerebat. Et misertus est mihi Dominus in millia millium, quia vidit in me quod paratus eram, sed quod mihi pro his nesciebam de statu meo quid facerem, quia multi hanc legationem prohibebant, et jam inter seipsos post tergum meum narrabant et dicebant: Iste quare se mittit in periculum inter hostes qui Dominum non noverunt? Non causa malitiae; sed non sapiebat illis, sicut et ego ipse testor, intellexi, propter rusticitatem meam. Et non cito agnovi gratiam quae tunc erat in me: nunc mihi sapit quod ante debueram.

[…] will not keep silent, nor hide the signs and wonders which were shown to me by the Lord many years before they came to pass, as by Him Who knows all things, even before the ages of the world. Whence I ought without ceasing to give thanks to God, Who often pardoned my foolishness.... And concerning the place, not in each one, so that He should not be greatly angry with me, who was given as a helper and did not quickly acquiesce in what had been shown me and as the Spirit prompted. And the Lord had mercy on me thousands upon thousands of times, because He saw in me that I was ready, but that because of these things I did not know what to do about my state, because many were forbidding this mission, and were already talking among themselves behind my back and saying: Why does this man thrust himself into danger among enemies who do not know the Lord? Not out of malice; but it did not seem wise to them, as I myself also testify, I have understood, because of my rusticity. And I did not quickly recognize the grace that was then in me: now I understand what I ought to have done before.

XXI. Nunc ergo simpliciter insinuavi fratribus et conservis meis qui mihi crediderunt. Propter quod praedixi et praedico ad roborandam et confirmandam fidem vestram. Utinam et vos imitemini majora, et potiora faciatis. Hoc erit gloria mea; quia filius sapiens gloria patris est (Prov. X, 1; XV, 20). Vos scitis et Deus, qualiter apud vos conversatus sum a juventute mea, in fide veritatis et in sinceritate cordis: etiam ad gentes illas inter quas habito, ego fidem illis praestavi et praestabo. Deus scit neminem illorum circumveni, nec cogito propter Deum et Ecclesiam ipsius, ne excitem illis et nobis omnibus persecutionem, et ne per me blasphemaretur nomen Domini, quia scriptum est: Vae homini per quem nomen Domini blasphematur (Lev. XXIV, 16). Nam etsi imperitus sum in omnibus, tamen conatus sum quispiam servare me etiam et fratribus Christianis, et virginibus Christi, et mulieribus religiosis, quae mihi ultronea munuscula donabant et super altare reddebant, ex ornamentis suis, et iterum reddebam illis. Et adversus me scandalizabantur, cur hoc faciebam. Sed ego (hoc faciebam) propter spem perennitatis

XXI. Now therefore I have simply made it known to my brothers and fellow servants who have believed me. For this reason I have foretold and foretell it, to strengthen and confirm your faith. Would that you too might imitate greater things, and do better things. This will be my glory; for a wise son is the glory of his father (Prov. 10:1; 15:20). You know, and God knows, how I have lived among you from my youth, in the faith of truth and in sincerity of heart: even towards those nations among whom I dwell, I have kept faith with them and will keep it. God knows that I have overreached none of them, nor do I think of it, for the sake of God and His Church, lest I stir up persecution for them and for all of us, and lest through me the name of the Lord should be blasphemed, for it is written: Woe to the man through whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed (Lev. 24:16). For although I am unskilled in all things, yet I have tried in some measure to keep myself [clear], even with the Christian brothers, and the virgins of Christ, and the devout women, who used to give me little gifts of their own accord and would lay them on the altar, from among their ornaments, and I would give them back to them again. And they took offence at me, that I did this. But I (did this) for the hope of eternity […]

Editors' notes and page, col. 811

Footnotes

(a) ‹mihi a Domino› · printed under col 811

Bolland., monstrata, mox quam fierent; atque hanc lectionem praetulimus: minus enim recte Waraeus, quam fuerant. Mox post insipientiae meae, addunt Bollandiani et negligentiae meae... adnotantque: «Locus hic, librariorum socordia depravatus, videtur de peregrinationibus Patricii habuisse nonnulla.» Cum iisdem paulo ante legimus debueram, ubi Waraeus debuero.

The Bollandists: monstrata [shown], shortly after quam fierent [before they came to pass]; and we have preferred this reading, for Ware less correctly has quam fuerant. Shortly after insipientiae meae the Bollandists add et negligentiae meae [and my negligence]... and they note: «This place, corrupted by the carelessness of copyists, seems to have contained something about Patrick's journeys.» With the same we read a little before debueram, where Ware has debuero.

(b) ‹secundum quod mihi ostensum fuerat,› · printed under col 811

Bolland., et spiritus nihilominus suggerebat.

The Bollandists: and the spirit nonetheless prompted.

Bolland., nihilo plus sciebam. Rectius, ut videtur.

The Bollandists: nihilo plus sciebam [I knew nothing more]. More correctly, as it seems.

(d) ‹sicut et ego ipse testor,› · printed under col 811

Ms. apud Bollandianos, intelligi; pro quo reposuere iter illud. Quod non displicet. Paulo ante Waraeus, non ut causa malitiae. Et mox, nunc mihi capit. Utrumque locum restituimus cum Bolland.

The manuscript in the Bollandists: intelligi; in place of which they put iter illud [that journey]. Which is not unacceptable. A little before, Ware: non ut causa malitiae. And shortly after: nunc mihi capit. We have restored both places with the Bollandists.

(e) ‹qualiter apud vos conversatus sum a juventute mea,› · printed under col 811

Sic Bolland. At Waraeus, et fide. Iidem mox praestiti pro praestavi: quod et Waraeus margini allevit.

So the Bollandists. But Ware: et fide. The same shortly after praestiti for praestavi: which Ware also noted in the margin.

(f) ‹ne excitem illis› · printed under col 811

Bolland., et vobis. Et paulo post, blasphemetur.

The Bollandists: et vobis. And a little after: blasphemetur.

(g) ‹imperitus sum in omnibus, tamen› · printed under col 811

Locus luxatus, forte sic restituendus: Conatus sum integrum servare me, non accipiendo quidpiam ab ullo, etiam a fratribus. Bolland.

A dislocated place, perhaps to be restored thus: I have tried to keep myself blameless, by accepting nothing from anyone, even from the brothers. Bollandists.

Page

running head: 811 S. PATRICIUS (page head across cols 811–812: 811 S. PATRICIUS HIBERNORUM APOSTOLUS. 812)
marginal letters: A ‹non silebo, neque abscondam›; B ‹causa malitiae; sed›; C ‹persecutionem, et ne›; D in the gutter beside the notes (‹tur de peregrinationibus›)
old-edition numerals: none
signature: none
other: none

PL 53:812

ut me in omnibus caute propterea conservarem, ita ut me in aliquo titulo infideles non carperent vel ministerium servitutis meae, nec etiam in minimo incredulis locum darem infamare sive detrectare,

[…] so that I might therefore keep myself cautiously in all things, so that the unbelievers might not catch me or the ministry of my service on any pretext, and that I might not give the unbelievers room even in the least thing to defame or disparage [me],

XXII. Forte autem, quando baptizavi tot millia hominum, speraverim ab aliquo illorum vel dimidium scriptulae? Dicite mihi et reddam vobis: aut quando ordinavit Dominus clericos per modicitatem meam et ministerium, gratis distribui illis. Si poposci ab aliquo illorum vel pretium calceamenti mei, dicite; dicite adversus me, et reddam vobis. Magis ego impendi pro vobis, ut me caperet: et inter vos et ubique pergebam causa vestra in multis periculis, etiam usque ad exteras partes, ubi nemo ultra erat, et ubi nunquam aliquis pervenerat qui baptizaret, aut clericos ordinaret, aut populum consummaret, donante Domino, diligenter et libentissime pro salute vestra omnia generavi. Interim praemia dabam regibus, propter quod dabam mercedem filiis ipsorum qui mecum ambulant, et nihil comprehenderunt me cum comitibus meis. Et illa die avidissime cupiebant interficere me: sed tempus nondum venerat. Et omnia quaecunque nobis invenerunt, rapuerunt illa, et me ipsum ferro vinxerunt: et quarto decimo die absolvit me Dominus de potestate eorum; et quidquid nostrum fuit, redditum est nobis, propter Deum et necessarios amicos quos ante providimus.

XXII. But perhaps, when I baptized so many thousands of men, I hoped for even half a scruple from any one of them? Tell me, and I will restore it to you: or when the Lord ordained clergy through my littleness and ministry, I dispensed it to them freely. If I asked of any of them even the price of my shoe, say so; say it against me, and I will restore it to you. Rather I spent for you, that it might take me in: and among you and everywhere I travelled for your sake in many dangers, even to the outer parts beyond which there was no one, and where no one had ever come to baptize, or to ordain clergy, or to bring the people to completion; by the Lord's gift, I brought all things to birth diligently and most willingly for your salvation. Meanwhile I was giving rewards to kings, on account of which I was paying a wage to their sons who walk with me, and they seized nothing of me with my companions. And on that day they most eagerly desired to kill me: but the time had not yet come. And everything that they found with us they seized, and bound me myself with iron: and on the fourteenth day the Lord freed me from their power; and whatever was ours was restored to us, for the sake of God and of the close friends whom we had provided beforehand.

XXIII. Vos autem experti estis quantum ego erogavi illis, qui judicabant per omnes regiones quas frequentius visitabam. Censeo enim non minimum pretium quindecim hominum distribui illis. Ita ut me fruamini, et ego vobis semper fruar in Deum, non me poenitet nec satis est mihi, adhuc impendo et super impendam: potens est Dominus ut det mihi postmodum ut meipsum impendam pro animabus vestris (II Cor. XII, 15). Ecce testem Deum invoco in animam meam, quia non mentior, quod neque, ut fit, causa adulationis vel avaritiae scripserim vobis, neque ut honorem sperarem vestrum. Sufficit enim

XXIII. But you have experienced how much I spent on those who were judging throughout all the regions which I visited more often. For I reckon that I distributed to them not less than the price of fifteen men. So that you may enjoy me, and I may always enjoy you in God, I do not regret it, nor is it enough for me; I still spend, and will spend more: the Lord is mighty to grant me hereafter that I may spend myself for your souls (2 Cor. 12:15). Behold, I call God as witness upon my soul that I do not lie, that neither, as happens, have I written to you for the sake of flattery or avarice, nor that I might hope for honour from you. For it suffices […]

Editors' notes and page, col. 812

Footnotes

(h) ‹ita ut me in aliquo titulo› · printed under col 812

Sic Bolland., ubi Waraeus, infideli non caperent.

So the Bollandists, where Ware has: infideli non caperent.

(i) ‹vel dimidium› · printed under col 812

Forte scriptuli. Bolland., scriptulum; ubi haec habent: «Sosipater apud Jo. Gerardum Vossium in Etymologico: Scriptulum, quod nunc vulgo sine ⟨t⟩ dicunt (scripulum scilicet), Varro in Plautorino dixit. Et alibi: Nummum argenteum conflatum primum a Servio Tullio: is quatuor scriptulis major fuit quam nunc est. Est autem scriptulum, sive scrupulum, minima pars unciae.» Vide Cangium in Glossario Lat. verb. SCRIPTULUS.

Perhaps scriptuli. The Bollandists: scriptulum; where they have this: «Sosipater, in John Gerard Vossius's Etymologicon: Scriptulum, which is now commonly said without the t (that is, scripulum), Varro used in the Plautorinus. And elsewhere: The silver coin was first struck by Servius Tullius: it was greater by four scruples than it is now. And a scriptulum, or scrupulum, is the smallest part of an ounce.» See Du Cange in the Latin Glossary, under the word SCRIPTULUS.

(j) ‹etiam usque ad› · printed under col 812

Sic et Bolland. Sed Waraeus legendum conjicit extremas.

So also the Bollandists. But Ware conjectures that extremas should be read.

(k) ‹aut clericos ordinaret, aut populum› · printed under col 812

Bolland., in fide confirmaret.

The Bollandists: should confirm in the faith.

(l) ‹pro salute vestra omnia› · printed under col 812

Bolland., gessi. Et mox, praeter quod dabam.

The Bollandists: gessi [I carried out]. And shortly after: praeter quod dabam.

(m) ‹qui mecum ambulant, et› · printed under col 812

Existimat Waraeus legendum non. Sed rectius Bolland., nihilominus.

Ware thinks non should be read. But the Bollandists more correctly: nihilominus [nonetheless].

(n) ‹quantum ego erogavi illis, qui› · printed under col 812

Sic et ms. apud Bollandianos, qui tamen in textu rescripsere indigebant.

So also the manuscript in the Bollandists, who, however, in their text have rewritten it indigebant [were in need].

(o) ‹Censeo enim› · printed under col 812

Bolland., non minus quam pretium.

The Bollandists: not less than the price.

(p) ‹quia non mentior,› · printed under col 812

Ita Bolland. Waraeus, quia non mentior, neque ut sit occasio. Mendose.

So the Bollandists. Ware: because I do not lie, nor that there be occasion. Faultily.

Page

running head: HIBERNORUM APOSTOLUS. 812 (page head across cols 811–812)
marginal letters: A ‹rennitatis, ut me›; B ‹et ubi nunquam›; C ‹gavi illis, qui›; D in the gutter beside the notes (‹Et alibi: Nummum›)
old-edition numerals: none
signature: none
other: the right edge of the notes is cropped by the scan; in note (i) one letter lost at the edge is supplied in ⟨ ⟩, and cropped letters with visible traces are set plain.

PL 53:813

mihi honor qui non videtur, sed corde creditur; fidelis autem qui promisit, nunquam mentitur. Sed video jam in praesenti saeculo me supra modum exaltatum a Domino. Et non eram dignus neque talis, ut hoc mihi praestaret: dum scio certissime quod mihi melius convenit paupertas et calamitas, quam deliciae et divitiae. Sed et Christus Dominus pauper fuit pro nobis. Ego vero miser et infelix, et si opes voluero, jam non habeo, neque meipsum (dignum) judico, quia quotidie spero aut internecionem, aut circumveniri, aut redigi in servitutem, sive occasionem cujuslibet. Sed nihil horum vereor propter promissa coelorum, quia jactavi meipsum in manus Dei omnipotentis qui ubique dominatur, sicut propheta dicit: Jacta cogitatum tuum in Deum, et ipse te enutriet (Psal. LIV, 23).

[…] me, the honour that is not seen, but is believed in the heart; and He Who promised is faithful, He never lies. But I see that already in the present world I am exalted by the Lord beyond measure. And I was not worthy nor such that He should grant me this: while I know most certainly that poverty and calamity suit me better than delights and riches. But Christ the Lord too was poor for us. But I, wretched and unhappy, even if I should wish for wealth, no longer have it, nor do I judge myself (worthy), because daily I expect either slaughter, or to be ensnared, or to be reduced to slavery, or an occasion of any kind. But I fear none of these things, because of the promises of heaven, for I have cast myself into the hands of Almighty God, Who rules everywhere, as the prophet says: Cast your thought upon God, and He will nourish you (Ps. 54:23).

XXIV. Ecce nunc commendo animam meam fidelissimo Deo meo, pro quo legatione fungor in ignobilitate mea (II Cor. V, 20). Sed quia personam non accipit, et elegit me ad hoc officium, ut unus essem de suis minimis minister: Unde autem retribuam illi pro omnibus quae retribuit mihi (Psal. CXV, 12)? Seu quid dicam, vel quid promittam Domino meo? Quia nihil valeo, nisi ipse mihi dederit; sed scrutatur corda et renes, quia satis et nimis cupio, et paratus eram ut donaret mihi bibere calicem ejus, sicut indulsit caeteris amantibus se. Quapropter non contingat mihi a Deo meo, ut unquam amittam plebem suam quam acquisivi in ultimis terrae. Oro Deum ut det mihi perseverantiam, et dignetur ut reddam illi testem fidelem usque ad transitum meum propter Deum meum. Et si aliquid boni unquam imitatus sum propter Deum meum quem diligo, peto illum det mihi ut cum illis proselytis et captivis pro nomine suo effundam sanguinem meum, etsi ipse etiam caream

XXIV. Behold, now I commend my soul to my most faithful God, for Whom I discharge an embassy in my lowliness (2 Cor. 5:20). But since He does not accept persons, and chose me for this office, that I should be one of His least ministers: Whence, then, shall I repay Him for all the things that He has bestowed on me (Ps. 115:12)? Or what shall I say, or what shall I promise to my Lord? For I can do nothing unless He Himself has given it to me; but He searches hearts and reins, that I desire it enough and more than enough, and I was ready that He should grant me to drink His cup, as He granted to others who love Him. Wherefore may it not befall me from my God that I should ever lose His people whom I have gained in the uttermost parts of the earth. I pray God to give me perseverance, and to deign that I may render myself to Him a faithful witness until my passing, for the sake of my God. And if I have ever imitated anything good for the sake of my God Whom I love, I ask Him to grant me that with those proselytes and captives I may shed my blood for His name, even though I myself should lack […]

Editors' notes and page, col. 813

Footnotes

(a) ‹judico, quia quotidie› · printed under col 813 (upper notes band, above the title of the next work)

Sic Bolland. Waraeus, sperno.

So the Bollandists. Ware: sperno [I spurn].

(b) ‹aut redigi in servitutem,› · printed under col 813

Bolland., sine occasione.

The Bollandists: without occasion.

Sequimur Bolland. Waraeus: Sed..... Quia nihil video.

We follow the Bollandists. Ware: But..... Because I see nothing.

(d) ‹nisi ipse mihi dederit; sed› · printed under col 813

Ita legere malumus cum Bolland. quam cum Waraeo scrutabor. Mox apud Bolland., calicem, omisso ejus.

We prefer to read so with the Bollandists rather than scrutabor with Ware. Shortly after, in the Bollandists: calicem, with ejus omitted.

(e) ‹plebem suam quam› · printed under col 813

Bolland., acquisivit.

The Bollandists: acquisivit [He has gained].

(f) printed under col 813; call in col 814, set in n814 (g) printed under col 813, running over to the notes under col 814; call in col 814, set in n814

Page

running head: 813 AD COROTICUM EPISTOLA. (page head across cols 813–814: 813 AD COROTICUM EPISTOLA. 814; it names the next work, which begins lower on this page)
marginal letters: A ‹mihi honor qui non›; B ‹te enutriet (Psal. LIV›; C ‹testem fidelem usque›
old-edition numerals: none
signature: none
other: the Confessio occupies only the upper part of the page (cols 813–814 above their notes). Below the notes a rule and the full-width title S. PATRICII AD COROTICUM [EPISTOLA] open the next work, whose text fills the lower halves of cols 813–814; that is outside this unit and is not set here.

PL 53:814

sepultura, aut miserrime cadaver per singula membra dividatur canibus aut bestiis asperis, aut volucres coeli comederint illud. Certissime reor, si mihi hoc incurrisset, lucratus sum animam cum corpore meo: quia sine ulla dubitatione in die illa resurgemus in claritate solis, hoc est, in gloria Christi Jesu redemptoris nostri, Filii Dei vivi, et cohaeredes Christi (Rom. VIII, 17) et conformes futurae imaginis ipsius (Ibid., 29): quoniam ex ipso, et per ipsum, et in ipso, regnaturi sumus.

[…] burial, or my corpse be most wretchedly divided limb by limb among dogs or savage beasts, or the birds of the air should devour it. I most certainly think that, if this should befall me, I have gained my soul together with my body: because without any doubt on that day we shall rise in the brightness of the sun, that is, in the glory of Christ Jesus our Redeemer, the Son of the living God, and [as] joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17) and conformed to His future image (ibid., 8:29): since of Him, and through Him, and in Him we shall reign.

XXV. Nam sol iste quem videmus, Deo jubente, propter nos quotidie oritur, sed nunquam regnabit, neque permanebit splendor ejus. Sed et omnes qui adorant eum, in poenam miseri male devenient. Nos autem credimus et adoramus Solem verum, Christum qui nunquam interibit; neque qui facit voluntatem ipsius, sed manebit in aeternum, quomodo et Christus manebit in aeternum, qui regnat cum Deo Patre omnipotente et cum Spiritu sancto, ante saecula, et nunc, et per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen. Ecce iterum iterumque breviter exponam verba confessionis meae. Testificor in veritate et in exsultatione cordis, coram Deo et sanctis angelis ejus, quia nunquam habui aliquam occasionem, praeter Evangelium et promissa illius, ut unquam redirem ad gentem illam unde autem prius vix evaseram. Sed precor credentibus et timentibus Deum, quicunque dignatus fuerit inspicere vel recipere hanc scripturam, quam Patricius peccator, indoctus scilicet, Hiberione conscripsit, ut nemo unquam dicat quod mea ignorantia, si aliquid pusillum egi vel demonstraverim, secundum Dei placitum. Sed arbitramini, et verissime credatur, quod donum Dei fuisset. Et haec est confessio mea antequam moriar.

XXV. For this sun which we see rises daily for our sake at God's command, but it will never reign, nor will its splendour endure. And all who worship it will come, wretched, to an evil end in punishment. But we believe in and worship the true Sun, Christ, Who will never perish; nor will he who does His will, but he will abide for ever, just as Christ also will abide for ever, Who reigns with God the Father almighty and with the Holy Spirit, before the ages, and now, and through all the ages of ages. Amen. Behold, again and again I will briefly set out the words of my confession. I testify in truth and in exultation of heart, before God and His holy angels, that I never had any occasion, apart from the Gospel and His promises, ever to return to that nation from which I had formerly barely escaped. But I beg those who believe and fear God, whoever shall deign to look at or receive this writing, which Patrick, a sinner, unlearned indeed, wrote in Ireland, that no one should ever say that it was my ignorance, if I have done or shown any small thing according to God's good pleasure. But judge, and let it be most truly believed, that it was the gift of God. And this is my confession before I die.

Editors' notes and page, col. 814

Footnotes

(f) ‹si mihi hoc› · printed under col 813

Magis placet quam Bolland., curae sit...... in corpore.

This pleases more than the Bollandists: curae sit...... in corpore.

(g) ‹in claritate solis, hoc est,› · printed under col 813, running over to the notes under col 814

Bolland., in gloria Jesu Christi redempti omnes erimus quasi filii Dei et cohaeredes Christi, et conformes creaturae imaginis ipsius: quoniam ex ipso, et per ipsum, et in ipso sunt omnia: ipsi gloria in saecula saeculorum, Amen. Et statim: In illo enim regnaturi sumus: nam sol iste, etc.

The Bollandists: in the glory of Jesus Christ we shall all be redeemed, as sons of God and joint heirs with Christ, and conformed to the image of His creature: since of Him, and through Him, and in Him are all things: to Him be glory for ever and ever, Amen. And at once: For in Him we shall reign: for this sun, etc.

(h) ‹promissa illius, ut unquam› · printed under col 814

Pessime Waraeus, redderem agentem illam.

Ware very badly: redderem agentem illam.

(i) ‹Sed precor credentibus› · printed under col 814

Post hanc vocem addunt Bolland., et petentibus.

After this word the Bollandists add: et petentibus [and those who ask].

(j) ‹ut nemo unquam dicat quod› · printed under col 814

Bolland., meae ignorantiae (fuerit).

The Bollandists: meae ignorantiae (fuerit) [it was of my ignorance].

(k) ‹si aliquid pusillum› · printed under col 814

Ita Bolland. Male Waraeus, ego.

So the Bollandists. Ware wrongly: ego.

(l) ‹et verissime credatur,› · printed under col 814

Bolland., quod Deus fuisset.

The Bollandists: quod Deus fuisset [that it was God].