IN 432AD Patrick came again to Celtic Ireland

Preaching to its people, the pagani -

The country folk whose language he spoke

He came with a christian vision:

An urban religion unsuited to rural living

Irish tribes with a thriving culture of their own

To whom Be’al was better known

As the source of all life

The pagani believed in Brehan law, astronomy

But above all in tribal autonomy.

Druids, the high priests and heart of this system,

Which Patrick persuaded through faith not force

To create with him a new religion:

Respecting the existing culture and customs

Of the country folk for whom they all spoke.

Patrick appreciated what was held in common

All creatures, creed and class were welcome

In this poor man's kingdom

who sounded and looked like them

Wore the customary white robes

Carried the same Druid’s staff

And founded a church grounded

In the spiritual identity of the Irish Pagani

Who through their own resourcefulness,

Extended their intellectual boundaries

with missionaries spreading a spirituality:

An organic Celtic Christianity

Patrick’s monks were a tribe in a tribal society;

With Hive like huts

Where students swarmed like bees

Yearning for the gentle flowering religion of the Patricians.