Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-17
Observance Of St. Patrick's Day in
Washington.
SOLEMN HIGH MASS CELEBRATED
An Address by Father WheIan
of Baltimore.
OTHER SERV ANC E s

| ST. Patrick's day opened clear and bright
| this morning and for the second time in
number of years the usually unpleasant
meteorological record of the anniversary
was broken. March II last year was a
| similarly fine day overhead and not so dis
| agreeable under foot. The conditions today
gave wearer of the shamrock chance to
get of ancient witticism which is be-
lieved to have a very substantial basis OF
| wisdom. He met another gentleman OF
Celtic extraction and they felicitated each
other upon the recurrence of the day.
But it's very bad under foot" said one,
cycling with disgust the slushy crossing ne
would be compelled to ford.
oh that's true: but, then, it's fine over
head" responded his companion. cheerily
"And that's true. too" returned the other
.'but then there's mighty few going that
| way"
Mass at st. Patrick's Church.
Solemn high mass was celebrated this
morning at 10 O'Clock at st. Patrick's
Church in token OF the day. The services
were largely attended. and were marked by
a patriotic address and eloquent tribute to
the patron saint of Ireland by Rev. Father
Whelan, pastor of ST. Marys Star of the
Sea Church, Baltimore. The ceiebrant or
the mass was Rev. Father Whitney. 8. j.,
president Of Georgetown College. A large
number of the local and visiting clergy were
present as the services were the principal
church event in the forenoon in the ceie-
bration. The altar was decorated with
green vines and palms.
The service was the highest and most
solemn in the Catholic ritual. The pre-
scribed ceremonies were most impressive.
while the music rendered by the choir. I'M
der the direction Of Mr.. Mariana Mama,
was most brilliant. The air In the church
was heavy laden with incense, consequent
upon the early ceremonies. when Father
Whelan mounted the pulpit and began to
speak.
Year by year. he said, during all these
centuries the loyal children of St Patrick
have gathered to do him honor. Poets have
sung his praises: stately temples enshrine
his memory: eloquent tongues declare his
fame in the uttermost ends of the earth.
But. above all these eulogies. more en-
phatic and soul-stirrng than any utterance
OF orator poet. is the great undeniable
fact that Ireland has steadfastiy held to
the faith which she received from her
sanity apostle. This is his real panegyrtc.
the noblest tribute Of nation to her pa
iron, the reward which st. Patrick himself
would have chosen.
JOY Induced by Fidelity.
Who can imagine the joy which this
fidelity of his people has given him? Who
can doubt that he has watched over their
struggles, their sufferings, their misfor-
tunes? And when all else was darkened,
when famine. persecution and exile had
spread a gloom upon the land. one clear
ray shot up through the night-the I'M
quenchabIe ray of Ireland's faith. Oppres-
sion has only made 1t brighter; tyranny and
cruelty have given it strength: and all the
injustice wrought against it has helped TO
spread Its radiance farther and wider in
the world.
ITO be Christian when Christianity is
the fashion is one thing; to be Christian
in spite of the fashion is another. To hold
fast the faith when loyalty means rank
ard aff1uence and power is no hardship: but
when loyalty finds its reward in contempt,
oppression and death, the case is different.
In word. to go with the crowd, the toy
Of human respect, the weather yane Of
public opinion, requires no character at
all: it is the man of individuality. the man
who cares nothing for the sayings and do
ings of others. SO long as he feels himself
right, that stands to his convictions in the
hour Of trial. Such were the men. faith
full sons of st. Patrick, whom the perse-
cutor found on Irish SOIL
High mass was also celebrated at Soldiers
Home.
At Rauscher's tonight there will be a
banquet arranged by citizens of Irish de-
scent MIR. Dominick 1. Murphy will be
POSTMASTER. and responses will be made
by prominent gentlemen to toasts appro-
pirate to the anniversary.
Owing to the fact that st. Patricks day
falls upon Saturday. and many of its mem
bers are specially engaged In business that
night the Ancient Order OF Hibernians
found 1t impracticabie to celebrate St. Pat
r!ck's day the 18th. and therefore postponed
its annual gathering until tomorrow Sun
day. night. The National Rifles Armory
has been engaged for the purpose, where q
literary and musical entertainment will be
held. under the auspices Of the District
Board, A. o. H. The musical part of the
program has been carefully prepared under
the direction of Madame J. Esputa DAILY
Moore's melodies will predominant.
The orators of the evening will be the
Very Rev. P. J. Garrigan. vice rector of the
Catholic University. and Representative
Champ Clark of Missouri.
Quite a number Of members of the Hiber-
| MAN Society will go to Baltimore this even
ing to attend the celebration to be held
there. and which will be addressed among
others. by ex-senator German.