According to tradition and the Irish Annals, Patrick brought three men with him when he began his mission in Ireland, including Auxilius. Then again, some say that Auxilius and Iserninus arrived in Ireland six years later, sent by Germanus to help. According to some sources, Auxilius was Patrick’s nephew, the son of his sister. There is one reference to Auxilius saying that Secundinus was his brother, but this might mean “brother” in the religious sense rather than the family sense. There is little written about his early life, but apparently he was Celtic and born in Wales, Cornwall, or Brittany. This would mean that he grew up speaking a Celtic language, which is in the same family of languages that includes Irish.

 Auxilius was certainly an energetic presence in the early church of Ireland. He founded the church at Killashee in County Kildare. A Synod of Bishops held in 448 or 450, perhaps the first in Ireland, was headed by Auxilius, along with Patrick and Isserninus. His fluency in Celtic languages was no doubt a great help to the efforts to bring Christianity to Ireland.

 Ireland has the most extensive collection of early literature in the native language in all of medieval Europe. Literacy was introduced to Ireland by Christian missionaries, and the Latin alphabet was quickly adapted to transcribe the Irish language. Missionaries like Auxilius who could read and write Latin as well as speak Celtic made this happen. They set to work writing down the rich oral heritage they found in Ireland. Since they believed that hints of the Creator could be found in all cultures, they wrote down everything. So today, we can read about the adventures of ancient Irish kings and queens, heroes and heroines, and yes: even gods and goddesses, thanks to their efforts. This extensive collection of Irish literature is truly the greatest legacy of Celtic missionaries like Auxilius.

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Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Palladius

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Patrick