9. The Voice Of The Irish

Patrick settled down happily in the peace and comfort of his home. It was wonderful to be back again and to start life afresh among those he dearly loved. But soon he began to think each day of the land where he had served as a slave. At night he dreamed about the children of Ireland - the little boys and girls who had come to talk to him as he herded the sheep on the lonely mountain-side. They lived in a pagan land and knew nothing of the One True God. Christ had died on the cross for all these children, yet they had never even heard His name. This saddened Patrick and he grew anxious for the little friends he had left behind in Ireland.

One night he had a very unusual dream. He saw a man named Victorious coming from Ireland with hundreds of letters. Victorious gave him one of these letters and told him to read it aloud. It bore a strange title. The Voice of The Irish. As Patrick began to read he could hear the people he had known in Ireland calling his name. With one voice they cried out "We ask you, boy, to come and walk again amongst us" Patrick's heart was deeply pained by the sad voices. He could read no more.

When he awoke he made a vow that he would return to Ireland and preach the word of Christ. This dream, he knew, was a call from God, and God would help and guide him on his mission.

He began immediately to prepare himself to fulfil the promise he had made. Once again he left his family and his friends and crossed to the continent to train there for his mission. He studied long and hard and became a priest.

At last Partick's chance came. He was made bishop and set out for the land where he had once been a slave. He brought other holy men with him and together they travelled through the country preaching the Gospel and baptising the people. Soon the word of God was heard in every part of Ireland and many churches were built.

This is how Saint Patrick answered the call of God and brought the word of Christ to pagan Ireland.

The Everlasting fire of christianity lit on the Hill of Tara by Saint Patrick a long, long, time ago.