Reading 1 #

¹ At a certain time there was a man named Cereticus, and this man had many sons, one of whom was called Karadocus. In those days the Scots came and occupied the British region. Cereticus, however, was an old man, and the elders said to him, “You are old and cannot fight; you must appoint one of your sons, the eldest.” They said to Karadocus, “You must be king.” But Karadocus loved more to be king of heaven than of earth, and when he heard this he fled, so that they might not find him.

² Karadocus therefore took from a certain poor man a pouch with a staff and a bag, and came to a place called Guerith Karantoc, and stayed there for some time. After many days a voice from heaven came to Saint Karadocus, commanding him that, since he could not remain hidden there, and since the more unknown and the further removed from his own people he was, the more useful a servant of God he would become, he should follow Patrick into Ireland.

³ Karadocus therefore departed for Ireland, and there he began to build a monastery. It was reported to Karadocus in those regions that there was, in the possession of a certain tyrant named Dulcemius, a tree that was adorned and precious, which had belonged to his prince. Karadocus came and asked for the tree. “Are you better,” said the tyrant, “than all the saints who have asked for it?” “I am not,” said Karadocus.

Reading 2 #

¹ The tyrant said, “Call upon your God, and if it falls, it shall be yours.” Karadocus replied, “Nothing is impossible for God,” [Luke 1:37] and as he said this he prayed to the Lord. When the prayer was completed, the tree fell, torn up by the roots, and the unbelievers stood astonished. The tyrant therefore believed, and was baptised, and all his household with him were converted to the faith and received the sacrament.

² On the following day craftsmen carried the timber to the work that had been begun, and cut it into four bases. One night certain religious men came from elsewhere to the place, and there was a lack of wood for the fire for those lodging there. Then Karadocus rose and went to one of the four bases and cut a piece from it. When the craftsman saw this, he was greatly angered and resolved to depart. Karadocus said to him, “My son, remain here this neart.” He stayed, though unwillingly.

³ At sunrise he rose to leave, and as he went out and walked around the church, he saw that base to be like the other bases, having in it no cut or blemish at all.

Reading 3 #

¹ In those days there was a certain holy man in Ireland named Tenenanus, and he was a leper. He came therefore to Saint Karadocus; but before he arrived, an angel announced to Karadocus that Tenenanus would come to him. With joy and gladness Karadocus prepared a bath for his guest.

² When Tenenanus arrived, as he came out from the church after praying, Karadocus went to meet him, and they greeted one another and kissed, giving blessings. He then led him from the monastery to the refectory, urging him earnestly to enter the bath. Tenenanus refused and produced reasons which seemed sufficient. At last Karadocus said, “If you do not enter, you will not live in eternal life.”

³ When Tenenanus heard this, he entered the bath under compulsion. Karadocus then came forward again to wash him. Seeing that he was approaching to wash him, Tenenanus said, “You shall never wash me.” Karadocus replied, “Nor shall you live for ever unless I wash you” [John 13:8]. He was therefore washed, and immediately, when Karadocus touched him, he was healed of his leprosy.

⁴ Tenenanus complained and said, “Brother, you have not done well by me, for perhaps from now on I shall become proud and greatly deceived.” “By no means,” said Karadocus, “but you shall be more beautiful, and your flesh shall not be foul.” Then Saint Tenenanus said, “Enter, and you yourself shall be washed.” Being urged, Karadocus entered the bath, and Tenenanus rose to render him service.

⁵ Karadocus was wearing seven iron girdles around his body, and as soon as Tenenanus touched them, they were all broken. Then Karadocus said, “You have not done well; yet this damage, it seems to me, can be repaired.” Tenenanus said, “By no means, for even if all the smiths were to come together, they would not be able to make a girdle for you.”

⁶ After these words they praised God, and peace and unity were established between them.