nt on works of charity, and our door was open to every traveller
who asked for victual or for lodging in the name of Christ, when on a
certain night we received a stranger having in his hand a staff; and we
showed unto him so much kindness as we could, and in the morning he
blessed us, and said, I am Jesus Christ, unto whose members ye have
hitherto ministered, and whom ye have last night entertained in His own
person. Then the staff which He bore in His hand gave He unto yonder
man of God, our spiritual father, commanding him that he should
preserve it safely, and deliver it unto a certain stranger named
Patrick, who would, after many days were passed, come unto him. Thus
saying, He ascended into heaven; and ever since we have continued in
the same youthful state, but our sons, who were then infants, have, as
thou seest, become decrepit old men."

And Patrick, giving thanks unto God, abided with the man of God certain
days, profiting in God by his example yet more and more; at length he
bade him farewell, and went on his way with the staff of Jesus, which
the solitary man had proffered unto him. O excellent gift! descending
from the Father of light, eminent blessing, relief of the sick, worker
of miracles, mercy sent of God, support of the weary, protection of the
traveller! For as the Lord did many miracles by the rod in the hand of
Moses, leading forth the people of the Hebrews out of the land of
Egypt, so by the staff that had been formed for His own hands was He
pleased, through Patrick, to do many and great wonders to the
conversion of many nations. And the staff is held in much veneration
in Ireland, and even unto this day it is called the staff of Jesus.

CHAPTER XXV.

_How he Journeyed unto Rome, and was made a Bishop; and of Palladius,
the Legate of Ireland._

The God of our salvation having prospered Patrick's journey, he arrive
at the city which is the capital of the world; and often, with due
devotion, visiting the memorials of the apostles and the martyrs, he
obtained the notice and the friendship of the chief Pontiff, and found
favor in his sight. In the apostolic chair then sat Pope Celestine, of
that name the first, but from the blessed Apostle Peter the
forty-third; but he, keeping Saint Patrick with him, and finding him
perfect and approved in faith, in learning, and in holiness, at length
consecrated him a bishop, and determined to send him to the conversion
of the Irish nation. But