When the people of Dublin, having
heard of the great signs and miracles that were done through Patrick, and when
they saw that he was coming to that village, they went out to meet him.
At this time, Alphinus was the
king over Dublin. He and all the citizens were in great sorrow, for the death
of the king's two children. The king's only son, called Eochadh had died a
sickness, in his bedroom. The king's daughter, and a sister to the young
prince, had just been drowned, in the adjoining river, now known as the Liffey.
She had ventured into the deep
part, for the purpose of bathing. Her name was Dublinia, and from her Dublin is
thought to have derived its name. (Joceylyn note) The young lady's body was drawn out of the
waters after some considerable search, and laid by her brother's corpse, in
order that their funeral rites might be solemnized together.
Reviver of Dead Persons
According to the superstition of
the Druids , the tombs were prepared. In the meantime, news was spread over all
the city, that "St. Patrick, the powerful reviver of many dead persons," (What
a reputation !!) had been seen in the town. For He, who burst asunder the gates
of death and of hell, smoothed the path for his servant.
The king and the people, who
before had said to the Lord, "Depart from us, we will not the knowledge
any of thy ways," and chose instead the druid, way were so cast down,
saddened with grief, that all of their rebellion and all their barbarous
rudeness, and all the pride of their idolatry, were utterly subdued.
The King had previously rejected
the Gospel because he had his druid wizards, who were pretty powerful. And so the king, hearing of St. Patrick's
arrival, sent messengers to ask him to come in, where his two children lay
dead.
Seeing such a gain of souls, in
the sight of the king, his nobles, and all the common people, Patrick raised
from death to life those princely children, whose bodily resurrection
co-operated much towards the spiritual resurrection of their father, with the
rest of his people.
The king and all his subjects,
being astonished at this great miracle, turned away from the worship of Druid
idols, and they were baptized in the river Liffey.
From that day the King and all
the people worshiped God and gave liberally to Patrick, so that he was able to
give to the poor in that place and other places and have enough to build
churches.
Kathie Walters
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