celebrated for many miracles. Then the saint returned
unto the house of Dichu, where he abided not a few days, and by
preaching the Christian faith, and by working signs and miracles, he
profited much people.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

_Of the Holy Mochna._

And there was a youth of virtuous disposition named Mochna, and he was
a swine-herd whom Saint Patrick had met near the town of Ereattan while
he was preaching in those parts, and to him, the Spirit having revealed
that he was destined to be a vessel of election, did the saint preach
the way of salvation. And the youth, even at his first preaching,
believed; and Patrick, when he had baptized him, taught unto him the
alphabet, and, having blessed him, sent him to be instructed in
learning, and went his way. But the youth, through the divine grace,
learned in one month the whole Psaltery, and, before the year had
ended, arrived he at the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. And after
some time Patrick returned to the aforementioned village, and Mochna
met him there. And while sitting together, they conversed on holy
things; behold, a staff sent from heaven fell between them, and the
head thereof rested on the bosom of Patrick, and the point thereof on
the bosom of Mochna. And the saint, gratulating the youth on the gift
thus miraculously bestowed, said unto him: "Now, my best-beloved son,
shalt thou know by this pastoral staff that the guardianship of souls
will be committed unto thee." But he refusing and alleging his
ignorance and the imperfection of his youth, the saint is reported thus
to have said: "Seek not thou to excuse thyself for that thou art a boy,
since unto all those parts whither the Lord sendeth thee shalt thou go;
and what he commandeth unto thee, that shalt thou speak." Therefore
through the several degrees did Patrick at length consecrate him a
bishop, and placed him over the church of Edrum. And he profited much
the church of God by his conversation and by his example, and, being
renowned in virtues and in miracles, was called to heaven. And he was
buried in that church wherein he had worthily served the Lord, and
wherein, adorned with manifold miracles, he had accustomed himself to
live in Christ. And the staff is in that church still preserved, and
is called by the Irish "the flying staff." And as Saint Patrick had
advanced this man from the care of swine unto the episcopate, a swine
is yearly taken from that territory, and paid unto th