There were already centres of Christian work in Ireland, where
devoted men were labouring and drew a few into their fellowship.
Succath aimed at the gathering of all these scattered forces, by a
movement that should carry with it the whole people. He first
prepared himself by giving about four years to study of the
Scriptures at Auxerre, under Germanus, and then went to Rome, under
the conduct of a priest, Segetius, and probably with letters from
Germanus to Pope Celestine. Whether he received his orders from the
Pope seems doubtful; but the evidence is strong that Celestine sent
him on his Irish mission. Succath left Rome, passed through North
Italy and Gaul, till he met on his way two followers of Palladius,
Augustinus and Benedictus, who told him of their master's failure,
and of his death at Fordun. Succath then obtained consecration from
Amathus, a neighbouring bishop, and as Patricius, went straight to
Ireland. He landed near the town of Wicklow, by the estuary of the
River Varty, which had been the landing-place of Palladius. In that
region he was, like Palladius, opposed; but he made some
conversions, and advanced with his work northward that he might
reach the home of his old master, Milcho, and pay him the purchase-
money of his stolen freedom. But Milcho, it is said, burnt himself
and his goods rather than bear the shame of submission to the
growing power of his former slave.

St. Patrick addressed the ruling classes, who could bring with them
their followers, and he joined tact with his zeal; respecting
ancient prejudices, opposing nothing that was not directly hostile
to the spirit of Christianity, and handling skilfully the chiefs
with whom he had to deal. An early convert--Dichu MacTrighim--was a
chief with influential connections, who gave the ground for the