CHAPTER CXXXIV.

_An Angel foretelleth to Patrick of Saint Moccheus._

The blessed Patrick purposed to build a church in a place sufficiently

fair and fitting, which is now called Ludha. But an angel appearing

unto him, enjoined that he should desist therefrom, saying; "Soon shall

a servant of the Lord arrive from Britain, named Moccheus, who for the

sake of God deserting his country and his parents, shall come into

Hibernia; and in this place shall he build and dwell, and finish his

days in piety." Then the saint obeying the angel, turned unto the left

side of the place, and there builded unto the God of Jacob a tabernacle

which is yet known by the name of Saint Patrick. And Moccheus coming

thither, erected an oratory and all places fitting, and lived there a

life abundant in virtue; and often Saint Patrick was wont to visit him,

and confer with him on things pertaining unto God. And on a certain

day, while they were sitting together and communing of God, the angel

appeared and proffered unto them an epistle; the which Saint Patrick

reading, found to be an exhortation, nay, rather a command, unto him

especially directed, that he should absolutely confer on Moccheus the

place which he had builded, with all matters pertaining thereunto, and

that he himself should fix his cathedral seat in Ardmachia. And

Patrick willingly did as the angel, nay, rather as the Lord, had

enjoined and thence retiring, he commended unto Moccheus twelve lepers,

to whom he had ministered in Christ; and Moccheus assumed the care and

the custody of all these matters.

The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick Including the Life by Jocelin, Hitherto Unpublished in America, and His Extant Writings · 第 134 / 196 章