o live in holy widowhood and
continence, consecrated virgins to Christ, and instituted monks. Great
numbers embraced these states of perfection with extreme ardor. Many
desired to confer earthly riches on him who had communicated to them the
goods of heaven; but he made it a capital duty to decline all
self-interest, and whatever might dishonor his ministry. He took nothing
from the many thousands whom he baptized, and often gave back the little
presents which some laid on the altar, choosing rather to mortify the
fervent than to scandalize the weak or the infidels. On the contrary, he
gave freely of his own, both to pagans and Christians, distributed large
alms to the poor in the provinces where he passed, made presents to the
kings--judging that necessary for the progress of the gospel--and
maintained and educated many children, whom he trained up to serve at
the altar. He always gave till he had no more to bestow, and rejoiced to
see himself poor, with Jesus Christ, knowing poverty and afflictions to
be more profitable to him than riches and pleasures. The happy success
of his labors cost him many persecutions.

A certain prince named Corotick, a Christian, though in name only,
disturbed the peace of his flock. He seems to have reigned in some part
of Wales, after the Britons had been abandoned by the Romans. This
tyrant, as the saint calls him, having made a descent into Ireland,
plundered the country where St. Patrick had been just conferring the
holy chrism, that is, confirmation, on a great number of Neophytes, who
were yet in their white garments after baptism. Corotick, without paying
any regard to justice, or to the holy sacrament, massacred many, and
carried away others, whom he sold to the infidel Picts or Scots. This
probably happened at Easter or Whitsuntide. The next day the saint sent
the barbarian a letter by a holy priest whom he had brought up from his
infancy, entreating him to restore the Christian captives, and at least
part of the booty he had taken, that the poor people might not perish
for want; but was only answered by railleries, as if the Irish could not
be the same Christians with the Britons: which arrogance and pride sunk
those barbarous conquerors beneath the dignity of men, while by it they
were puffed up above others in their own hearts.. The saint, therefore,
to prevent the scandal which such a flagrant enormity gave to his new
converts, wrote with his own hand a public circular letter.