The importance of Baptism

And holy Patrick came through the plains in the territory of Mace Erce in Dichuil and Aurchuil.

And in Dichuil Patrick came to a huge grave of astounding breadth (?) and excessive in length, which his people had found, and they were amazed, with great astonishment, that it extended a hundred and twenty feet, and they said: 'We do not believe that there could have been such a thing as a man of this length.'

Patrick answered and said: 'If you wish you shall see him', and they said: 'We do', and he struck the stone on the side of the head with his staff and signed the grave with the sign of the cross and said: 'Open, o Lord, the grave', and it opened. [staff like that of Moses...]

And a huge man arose whole, and said: 'Thanks be to you, o holy man, that you have raised me even for one hour from many pains',  and, behold, he wept bitterly and said: 'May I walk with you?' They said: 'We cannot have you walk with us, for men cannot look upon your face for fear of you.
But believe in the God of heaven
and receive the baptism of the Lord,
and you will not return to the place in which you were.

And tell us to whom you belong.'

'I am the son of the son of Cass son of Glas; I was the swineherd of Lugar king of Hirota. The warrior band of the sons of Mace Con killed me in the reign of Coirpre Nie Per' (a hundred years ago from now). [Irish sense of genealogy...]

And he was baptized, and confessed God, and fell silent, and was laid again in his grave.
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