IX.1
The blessed Patroclus, an inhabitant of the territory of Bourges, was the son Aetherius. When he was ten years old he was destined to be a shepherd of sheep, while his brother was sent to study letters. They were indeed not exalted by nobility, but, nevertheless, they were free.
Patroclus eventually went to school as well, and was so good a student that he earned the patronage of Nunnius, a man close to King Childebert who ruled in Paris. After the death of his father, Patroclus came back to Bourges. His mother wanted him to marry, but he refused.
He went to Archadius, bishop of Bourges, and asked him to cut off his hair and admit him into the ranks of the clergy. And this bishop did, by God's will, without delay. And shortly afterwards, having assumed the office of deacon, he devoted himself to fasting, delighted in vigils, and exercised himself in study and in prayer to such an extent that he did not come with his fellow clerics to eat at the communal table. Learning of this the archdeacon was very annoyed, and cried, "Either you take your meals with the other brothers, or you leave us. It is not right that you neglect to eat with those whose ecclesiastical duties you share."
(trans. James 1991: 65-67, altered and summarised by J. Szafranowski)
