_How he Saw and Saluted the Lord._
And shortly after he had received the episcopal dignity, the angel
Victor appeared unto him, then abiding in Rome, and commanded him that
he should hasten his journey into Ireland, that he might gain unto
Christ the people of that country, as the Lord had willed. But
Patrick, judging himself to be unequal to such a work and to such a
labor, answered that he could not and would not attempt it unless he
should first behold and salute the Lord. Therefore was he conducted by
the angel unto the mountain Morion, bordering on the Tuscan Sea, nigh
unto the city of Capua; and there, even as Moses, did he merit to
behold and salute the Lord, according to his earnest desire. Who, I
pray you, can estimate in his mind the merit of Patrick? What tongue
can sufficiently praise him to whom, while yet living on earth, it was
given to behold the King of Glory, whom the angels desire to behold
face to face, and who was permitted to declare unto men what he had
been taught from the lips of the Most Highest? And the Lord promised
unto Patrick that He would hear his prayers, and that He would be his
assistant in all his acts to be done by him. Therefore, being by the
vision and by the divine colloquy strengthened unto the ministry
enjoined to him of heaven and confided to him by our lord the Pope, he
vehemently longed to complete the same, and speeded his journey toward
Ireland with twenty men deputed unto his assistance by the Sovereign
Pontiff, and who were renowned for their lives and for their wisdom.
Yet turned he out of his way unto the blessed Germanus, from whom he
received chalices, and priestly vestments, and many books, and other
matters unto the divine worship and ministry pertaining.