My Faith: Part 2
		I had very little practical education, my schooling having been cut short by slavery at such a young age. I travelled to the Monastery of Auxerre in France, where I dedicated myself to learning more of the world and how it worked. The enthusiasm I had for both my studies and faith quickly earned respect from the monks at the monastery. I was extremely disappointed, and surprised, when my request to lead the first planned mission to Ireland was denied. I watched from my window as Auxerre gave Palladius, the monk chosen to lead the crusade, a loud and cheerful farewell as he and his men left for Ireland by horse. For the first time, I doubted God's intentions for me, but I shrugged it off and continued with my studies with more determination than ever. A year later, news that Palladius had died in Ireland reached the monastery. Another mission was immediately organized, and I was chosen to lead it. I was summoned to Rome first, however; Pope Celestine made me a Bishop, and gave me his blessing for the upcoming journey. I arrived in Ireland with twenty-five fellow missionaries in the winter of 432. My band of religious crusaders were given shelter by a kind landowner named Dichiu, who became one of the first Irish converts to Christianity. When the spring finally came, I decided to seek approval from the High King of Tara, the most powerful man in Ireland. By gaining his support, I could spread God's message to all the people of Ireland without worrying about being attacked or confronted. I knew it would take something extraordinary to get King Laoghaire's attention, however. My supporters and I built a huge fire on March 25, which was strictly forbidden by the King. Traditional celebrations marking the beginning of spring were always started by King Laoghaire by lighting a massive fire near his castle. No fire was to be lit before the king's, and when he saw the flames of my own fire on the horizon, he gathered the princes of Ireland and left to find out who dared challenge the High King's authority. When our two groups came face to face, I stepped forward and spoke to the king and his well-dressed horsemen. I explained who we were and that our only intention was to spread the Gospel throughout his land. The king took me aside and said he admired my composure and quiet confidence, then invited me to visit the Royal Court at Tara the following day. While I led my procession toward Tara the next morning bearing a massive cross, we sang hymns I had written over the years at Auxerre. We were shocked by the loud greeting we received after entering the hall at Tara, accustomed to the formal way Roman ceremonies took place back in Britain. I approached King Laoghaire and said, " Here I am." He took my hands in his and kissed me on the cheek. The druids were outraged by this. They would all be out of a job if the King accepted my new religion, so they demanded to know whether my God could create snow. I avoided their trap by replying that God determined the weather, not myself. Moments later, the hall fell silent as the the sunny countryside became shaded by clouds that dropped large snowflakes on the spring fields. Everyone looked out the windows for a few minutes, then turned their gazes to me. I was at a loss for words, and simply made the sign of the cross with my hand. It stopped snowing just as I finished the gesture, and I dropped to my knees and prayed out loud before the baffled audience.
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