_The Obedience of Saint Volchanus._
And a certain disciple of Saint Patrick, named Volchanus, was eminent
in faith and in religion, but especially surpassing in the virtue of
obedience; and Saint Patrick willing that this his piety, which was so
well known unto him and unto God, should also be known unto his
fellow-disciples for an example unto them, commanded him that he should
build a church wheresoever God should vouchsafe to direct. And hearing
the word of the saint, he obeyed, and carrying a hatchet on his
shoulder, went forth to seek a fitting place for the erection of a
church. Then the spiritual father observing him to go forth with the
hatchet in his cowl, prophesied unto him with the words of consolation:
"Do not, well-beloved Volchanus, doubt of a fitting place; but
wheresoever thine hatchet shall fall, there securely build and inhabit,
and there shalt thou be among a great nation paying worship unto God!"
Thus having heard, he retired from the presence of his honored father,
knowingly unknowing, and wisely untaught, yet persuaded in his mind to
go whithersoever the most true teacher had directed him. Therefore the
whole day did he go forward, nor did he aught, save to lift up his
hands and his heart in prayer. And as the day declined eveward, the
hatchet fell from his shoulder unexpectedly, yet moved of heaven, in a
place neither intended nor foreseen. Then the man of God understanding
this to be the appointed place, with great labor builded there a
monastery, and gathered together unto one holy society many sons of
God, who were dispersed; and therein dwelling, holily and religiously
finished he his life, and at length, renowned in his virtues and his
miracles, he rested in the Lord.