The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-03-24
VOLUME V.
M ,rning Star and Catholic Messenger.
new ORLEANS. SUNDAY, MARCH ~. 1917.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY.
Grand Celebration. In New Orleans.
PROCESSION or TEE hIBERN1AN BENEVOLENT
AND MUTUAL AID ASSOCIATION.

In presenting to the readers of the STAR an
last Sunday in honor Of Iselasds great Saint,
We are happy in being able to preface it by
tho following beautiful tribute to the Ever
Green dsle, from tho pom Of our talented con-
tributor, Tim Linkinwater. Though intended
for publieaAen in ssr last issue, its appear
snce this week will he appreciated by our read
ers as appropriate, the sentiments 60 we'll ex-
pressed being true and just at all hmes.
"THE DAY WE CELEBRATE"
BT TIN InxIHwAxxR.
We Isten to voiese Of muaio and &lsdnsss.
And echoes Of laughter and tesrs
As st. Patrisks Day to the SONS Of "ths Isls"
Recalls times Of pleasure fears.
1he sun burst Of Erin, the harp and the shsnrock.
The crossing the deep ssa's white Ssam.
The thousand emotions. all namelsss and tender,
That arc heard in the echoes OF homo.
Past days of proud bearing whom Ireland teacher
or arts to the rest Of the world
Bre yet the strange fag baso yet bossting Of freedom
Was over its green glades unfurled.
Sursing mother Of saints, proud patron Of ssges.
Dispenser Of fAvors to kings.
Cradle of soldiers. whose fame. past and present.
History tells and the poet still sings.
Land of suerings and shadows long days Of sorrows
Prostrate victim Of trsacherous hates,
When tho Penal Laws terrors given thy children
And mourning wac heard In thy gates.
Thy holy bells sonoed, thy priests seeking shelter
Among the rude clefts of the hills.
Thy children sad wanderers ON land and on ocean,
Familiar with poverty's ills.
Land weeping yet hopeful impulsive, yet patient,
Through centuries battling with foes:
Crushed rising held down by the might Of oppression
Strong. when enemies joyed in thy throes.
Given over to foemen, despised and deserted,
Only one ray of brightness from heaven.
And that covered up in each bosons still depths
The faith by st. Patrick given
Land of pure their own valleys snowdrop
And cheering rs bright summers suni
Omen whose ring whore the bravest reckoned
First ever whore brave deeds are done.
Whose arms and whose hearts are ready to succor
The oppressed who in tyrants' grasp moan.
And that liberty gained for their homes Of adoption
Which in vain they have wisbed for their own.
Land rising in pride from long night of weakness,
New strength in each heart and each soul,
We join with thy cons in to. days celebration,
And their raptures our feelings control
May thy future be brig hit thy honors untarnished
Thy green fields from strangers be free,
And thy glories expand. till thy golden harp foats
From thy fair mountain crests to the sea.
The celebration of st. Patrick's Day last
sunday was the most appropriate, enthusiastic
and splendid ever witnessed in this city. That
1t took place on the feast day itself, which,
being Sunday, enabled many to participate
who would not have been able to attend on
week day, contributed greatly towards the
success of the celebration, no one doubts, but
1t is universally conceded that to the existence
and activity of the Hibernian Benevolent and
Mutual Aid Association, as the first and princi-
pal cause, is due tho grandeur of the demon
stration.
heretofore every true son of St Patrick at
tended mass on his feast and displayed the
shamrock prominently in his button-hole or
hat-ribbon, but there was no organized move
ment towards a public demonstration wherein
all would testify to the world their love for
their filth and their country, and their rever-
ance for the memory of the great Apostle.
Last year, it is true, the Hibernian Association
in body attended mass and paraded the
streets, but 1t was then in its infancy, strug-
Cling, as it were, for life, and the display on
that occasion pales into insignificance when
compared to the pageant of last Sunday. At
that parade there were only six branches. num-
boring about five hundred men; at this, fifteen
hundred men. appeared in line as members OF
eleven branches.