Patrick Fleming (Franciscan) facts for kids

Patrick Fleming was an Irish scholar and a Franciscan friar. He was born in Lagan, County Louth, Ireland, on April 17, 1599. Sadly, he was killed near Prague in Bohemia on November 7, 1631. This happened during a big conflict called the Thirty Years' War.

Early Life and Education

Patrick Fleming was born Christopher Fleming. His family was well-known in Ireland. His father was Gerald Fleming, and his mother was Elizabeth Cusack. One of his uncles, Father Christopher Cusack, started Irish colleges in different European cities.

In 1612, when he was about 13, Christopher went to Flanders (which is now part of Belgium). He studied at St Patrick's College in Douai. Later, he went to the College of St. Anthony of Padua in Leuven.

In 1617, Christopher joined the Franciscan Order. This is when he chose his new name, "Patrick." A year later, he made his official promises to the order.

Studies and Priesthood

Five years after joining the Franciscans, Patrick Fleming traveled to Rome. There, he continued his studies at the College of St. Isidore. After finishing his education, he became a priest.

His leaders then sent him back to Leuven. For several years, he taught philosophy there. He became known as a very smart scholar and a good leader.

Moving to Prague

The Franciscans decided to open a new college in Prague. This college was called the College of the Immaculate Conception. Because of his skills, Patrick Fleming was chosen to be its first leader, called the "Guardian." He also taught theology at the college.

Patrick Fleming and another friar, Gerald Geraldin, arrived in Prague in November 1630. They stayed with other friars while trying to fix up an old monastery. Books were hard to find in Prague, so Fleming had them sent from Frankfurt.

The Thirty Years' War

At this time, Europe was in the middle of the Thirty Years' War. In 1631, an army from Saxony attacked Bohemia and threatened Prague. Patrick Fleming decided to leave Prague to find a safe place for the friars.

On November 7, 1631, he was traveling with another friar named Matthew Hoar. They met a group of armed peasants near a town called Benešov. These peasants attacked and killed the two friars.

Patrick Fleming's body was taken to a nearby monastery in Votice. He was buried there.

His Writings

Patrick Fleming loved studying history, especially the history of the church. He was good friends with another scholar, Father Hugh Ward. Hugh Ward wanted to write about early Christian Ireland and asked Fleming for help.

Even before Fleming went to Prague, he had gathered a lot of information. He had also written a book called Life of St. Columba. This book was not published while he was alive. His writings were later edited and published by another scholar in 1667.

Fleming also wrote about the life of Hugh MacCaghwell, a very important church leader. He wrote a history of an old Irish monastery in Ratisbon. He also wrote letters about the lives of Irish saints, which were published in a church magazine.