St. Patrick - An encore presentation

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Young Patrick - Jonathan Rhys Meyers (66%)
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FADE IN:

INT. KILPATRICK ESTATE. EARLY 5th CENTURY SCOTLAND - NIGHT

IRISH MARAUDERS reek havoc on the Kilpatrick Estate, abducting young Patrick.

ST. PATRICK (VOICEOVER)
I was sixteen when taken prisoner and brought
to Ireland. There, I was sold as a slave to a
chieftan named Milchu.

EXT. IRISH COUNTRYSIDE - DAY

While tending the flocks in the valley of the Braid and on the slopes of Slemish,

ST. PATRICK (VO)
For six years, I was held captive. In those
days I have said as many as a hundred prayers
and in the night, nearly the same; so that whilst
in the woods and on the mountain, even before
dawn, I was roused to prayer.

The six years of Patrick's captivity became preparation for his future apostolate.

ST. PATRICK (VO)
In a dream, God admonished that I flee. I
found a ship ready to set sail. After some
rebuffs, I was allowed onboard. Though I
returned to Britain among friends, my
heart was set on devoting myself to God.

EXT. BRITISH PROVINCES - DAY

It was under ST. GERMAIN'S guidance, Patrick would be promoted to the priesthood a few years later and became engaged in missionary work.

ST. PATRICK (VO)
Commissioned by the Holy See, St. Germain
proceeded to Britain to combat the erroneous
teachings of Pelagius. I was chosen to be one
of his missionaries and privileged to have
witnessed much, including the calming of
the tempest at sea.

However, Patrick's thoughts turned towards Ireland, and from time to time he was favored with visions of the children from Focluth who cried to him, "O holy youth, come back to Erin, and walk once more amongst us."

ST. PATRICK (VO)
With the blessing of Celestine, Pope of Rome,
who bestowed me with the name Patercius,
St. Germain and I set out for Ireland.

EXT. TARA. 433 IRELAND - EASTER SUNDAY

On Easter Sunday, DRUID CHIEFS and BREHONS came in full numbers to assemble at Tara in 433 AD.

DRUIDS
O king, live forever. This fire, which has been
lighted in defiance of the royal edict, will blaze
forever in this land unless it be this very night
extinguished.

By order of the king and the agency of druids, repeated attempts were made to extinguish the blessed fire and to punish with death the intruder who had disobeyed the royal command. But the fire was not extinguished and, Patrick, shielded by the Divine power.

ST. PATRICK (VO)
The druids and magicians put forth all their
strength and employed all their incantations
to maintain their sway over the Irish race.
But our prayer and faith achieved a glorious
triumph.
(beat)
By their incantations, a cloud of darkness
spread over the hill and surrounding plain.
I defied them to remove the cloud and knelt
in prayer. The sun sent forth its rays and the
brightest sunshine lit up the hills.

It was indeed a momentous day for the Irish race. Although the king had given orders that no sign of respect to be extended, Erc, a royal page, arose to show Patrick reverence; and, at that second, when all the chieftains were assembled, the chief-bard, Dubbtach, showed Patrick the same honor.

ST. PATRICK (VO)
I then plucked a shamrock from the sward
to explain by its triple leaf and single stem the
Blessed Trinity. And on that bright Easter Day,
the triumph of religion at Tara was complete.

FADE TO BLACK

EPILOGUE

It is sometimes supposed that St. Patrick's apostolate in Ireland was an unbroken series of peaceful triumphs, but is quite the reverse. He was subjected to frequent trials at the hands of the druids and other enemies. No fewer than 12 times he and his companions were seized and carried off as captives, and on one occasion, his death was decreed, but was liberated by benign Providence.

St. Patrick continued until his death to visit and watch over the churches he had founded in all provinces in Ireland. He comforted the faithful in their difficulties, strenghtened their faith, and appointed pastors to continue his work among them.

At Saul, St. Patrick received the summons to his reward on March 17, 493 and St. Tassach administered the last sacraments to him. His remains were wrapped in the shroud woven by St. Brigid and were interred at the chieftan's Fort two miles from Saul, where the Cathedral of Down would arise.

Above information from the Catholic Encyclopedia on St. Patrick at http://www.newadvent.org/cathen//11554a.htm .

*formatted by petra michelle**

http://petramichelle.blogspot.com/