The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-03-24
ST. PArRIcHs DAY IN NoBlLE.

ST. PArR1cHs DAY IN MOBILE
MOBILE, March 20, 1872.
Editor Morning Star and Catholic Messenger.
St. Patrick's Day was appropriately
celebrated in this city, notwithstanding the
exceeding inclemency of the weather;
Northwestern, accompanied by a drizzling,
persistent rain which continued, with but
slight intermission, throughout the fore.
noon. The air was nipping and eager and
the streets were extremely uninvlting, but
all this could not quench the ardor of the
sons of Erin, NOR prohibit
their customary public demonstration In
honor of St. Patrick.
Even as dubious people were discussing
the probable programme of the day, in
view of the forbidding aspect of the
weather, the "clapg of harmonious brass"
announced that the city organ ixatiSns were
on their way to the depot of the Mobile
and Ohio Railroad to welcome sister So
ciety from Whistler.
Having concluded this ceremony, the
various societies repaired to st. Patrick's
Church where q grand Pontifical High
Mass was celebrated. Right Rev. Bishop
Quinlan officiating. The Mass was sung,
with their usual happy style and effect, by
the excellent choir of the Cathedral. After
the reading of the Gospel, Father O'Meara,
of St. Mary's Church, pronounced an ele-
CANT and eloquent discourse-a perfect
gem, indeed, on the Cross and the Sham
rock, taking his text from Machabees, chap.
2, verse 5l-"And call to remembrance the
works of tile fathers, which they have done
great glory, and an everlasting Dame."
He began by speaking of the fidelity
to faith and love of country blended
together in the promptiDgs of the Irish
mans heart typified by the Cross and the
Shamrock, and showing how the church
ings of the Cross to the lustre of the Sham
rock in the person of her noble representa-
tive, the Bishop of the Diocese, who ofici-
ated on the occasion. He then dwelt, in
glowing words, upon the round towers, the
remarkable ruins, the ancient abbeys, the
old church yards, and the monuments that
covered the face of the land, and drew
from the lesson which they teach such in
structicn as would do honor to the memory
Of st. Patrick.
The Rev. Father then spoke of the pros
perity Of Ireland from the time of her con-
version until the year ll72 when she began
to drink Of the bitter cup of abversity-a
which tended only to heighten her gran
deur. Did she not, said he, bear upon the
back of her history, the deep, dark, dismal
spot of Religious persecution The fore
ground Of her prosperity would have but
little attraction for us it was the contrast
between the dark background and the
brilliant foreground that heightened the
effect of the picture which her history pro-
duced and made us love her the deeper for
it.
The Rev. Father then spoke of the future
prosperity of Ireland and asked his hearers
If they would hasten the deliverance OF
their beloved land by initiating her virtues
~; &c l. ho
really sublime as he spoke of the ruined
abbeys and monuments telling of the glo-
ries of Ireland in days gone by. Repeat
ing his question, if they would hasten the
deliverance of their beloved land by imi-
tating her virtues, he said, "metbinks !
hear you one and all say yes. Listen,
therefore, unto me. A fearful crisis lie
pending in which we, Ca holics and IRISH
men, shall have to play no insignificant
part, and it is we'll We should know our
duty.
Forewarned is forearmed. All Europe
is rife with the important issue. America,
too, is moving into line. The subject is
agitatipg the greatest minds of the present
day. 1t is the same old problem over again
that requires to be solved but under a new
and different aspect. 1t is Christianity
against Infidelity. Heretofore, it was mind
against mind, intellect against intellect,
physical force against moral conviction.
DuC AnuueilISS uuuluB CnaC sincerity ana
truth were more than matches for her du-
plicity and intrigue, seeks to get posses
sion of Christianity's strength by striving
to get hold of the mould in which the gold
is sifted from the dross. Need l say to
what allude I refer to the grand and
vital question of tue day-the education of
youth. The portentous clouds of infidelity
are marshaling their forces upon the hori-
Zon Of the world for the terrible struggle.
Christianity, too-the mother of civiliza-
tion-is girding her loins for the bloody
fray. For our part We have but one duty
to discharge and that is to fight molly in
the cause for which our fathers bled and
died-a religious education-an education
in which the mind of the child is kindly
nurtured and developed, whilst the pas
sions are sought to be restraned-an edu-
cation in which the priest exercises his be-
nign influence over the youthful mind an
education in which the blessings OF our
Holy Religion predominate-an education