read--which taking, he read, and
found therein thus written: "THIS IS THE VOICE OF THE IRISH." But when
he would have continued to read, he seemed in the spirit to hear the
Irish infants which were yet unborn crying unto him with a loud voice,
"O holy youth Patrick! we beseech thee come unto us, and abide with us,
and release us!" And Patrick, being pierced therewith in his heart,
could not finish the letter; but awaking, he gave infinite thanks to
God, for he was assured by the vision that the Lord had set him apart,
even from his mother's womb, had by His grace called him to convert and
to save the Irish nation, which seemed to desire his presence among
them. And on this he consulted the angel of great counsel, and through
the angel Victor he received the divine command that, quitting his
father and his country, he should go unto France, there to learn the
doctrine and the discipline of the Christian faith.

CHAPTER XXII.

_How he dwelt with the blessed Germanus, and how he received the Habit
from Saint Martin._

Being thus instructed and directed of heaven, though both his parents
resisted and would have detained him, he, with the faithful Abraham,
quitted his country, his kindred, and his father's house, and, passing
through his native Britain, he went into France. And lest his labor
should be fruitless, or that he might not attempt to teach what he had
not thoroughly learned, he attached himself to the blessed Bishop
Germanus, and, for his greater progress in the Christian faith and
learning, abided with him for the space of eighteen years, reading and
imbibing the Holy Scriptures (as in the acts of the blessed Germanus is
recorded). And each had received the divine command--Patrick that he
should abide with Germanus, and the holy bishop that he should retain
and instruct the youth. For he was a prelate, in his descent, in his
nobility, in his life, in his learning, in his office, and in his
miracles most illustrious; and from him the several degrees of the holy
orders, and at length the sacerdotal dignity according to the canons,
did Patrick receive. With the like purpose did he some time abide with
the blessed Martin, Archbishop of Tours, who was the uncle of his
mother, Conquessa. And as this holy luminary of the priesthood was a
monk, he gave to his nephew, Patrick, the monastic habits and rules,
the which he most devoutly assumed, and adorned by his life, and
persevered therein. And bidding f