Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-03-17
st. Patrlck,S Day.

AS usual, the anniversary OF Ireland,s patron
saint Is a stormy day. and as usual the indom-
1taoe sons OF the Green Isle turn out I'm ful
force to celebrate the day, weather or no. The
procession to-day was not only large In num-
oers, but made notably fine appearance In
UNIFORM and In marching. The New Workers
seem 10 ind an annual fund OF amusement in
the tau hats and quaint costumes worn In the
ST. Patricks parade there, but the Irish-Ameri.
cans Of Washington, the Knights of st. Patrick.
St George. st. Joseph. ST. Kolumbktlle. ST.
feter, st. Bernard, st. Stephen, &C., and the
various H1Dern1an societies, all In their hand
some uniforms, or respectable black broad
clotn. certainly Afforded no opportunity for
anything but the most respectful comment.
BY the way. as st. Patrick was OF Scotch
birth, there seems no good reason why
the ScotianS, as well as the Hibernians
should not celebrate his anniversary.
According to Buffers "Lives of the Saints st.
Patrick was born in the last part Of the fourth
century In the town Of Fitzpatrick, on the mouth
OF the riveIIClyde, In Scotland, between Dunn
barton and Glasgow. When about sixteen
years old he was taken captive by barbarians,
who took him to Ireland, where he was obliged
TO keep cattle on the mountains and In the
forests, in hunger and nakedness, amid snow,
rain and Ice. He had been In captivity about
six months under one master when 1t was re-
vealed to him In dream that God desired him
TO return to Scotland and that ship was
ready to sail thfther. Although a long distance
in the interior Of the country he managed to
reach the coast and found the ship. 1t was at
home with his parents that " God manifested to
him by divers visions that he destined him for
the great work of the conversion of Ireland"
He spent many years In preparation for the
work he had been called upon to do, and great
opposition was made against his episcopal con-
secration both by his relations and the clergy.
He as he says himself, forsook his family, sold
his birthright and dignity and persevered in mis-
resolution to preach the Gospel In Ireland, where
at this time the worship Of idols generally OBJ
tanned In the first year Of his mission
he attempted to preach Christ in the gen.
eral assembly OF the kings and states OF
all Ireland, held yearly at Taraghs or
Themofia, In East Meath, the resi-
dence OF the chief king, styled the monarch of
the whole island, and the principal seat of the
Druid priests. The son of Nein, the chief mon
arch, declared himself against the preacher.
Nevertheless ne converted several, and on his
road TO that place the father of st. Benan or
Benignus. his Immediate successor in the See
of Armagh. He afterward converted and bap-
tied the kings OF Dublin and Munster and the
seven sons Of the king OF Connaught with the
greatest part OF their subjects, end before his
death he had baptized almost all the inhabit.
ants Of the island. He founded monastery at
Armagh, another called Domnach Padraig Oh
Patricks church, and filled the country with
churches and institutions OF piety and learn
Ing. He died and was buried at Down, In
Ulster, where his body was found in church
OF his name In 11S5.