The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-04-28
TREFOlL In PLACE OF A SHAMROCK
Two Of All Irish Regiments Have
Catholic Chaplains.
NoTABILlTIEs IN DARK CONTINENT
The Privations Suffered by the
Soldiers Of England.

a correspondent of the Dublin Free
man, in a letter from Cradock, Cane
Colony, dated March II, tells how st.
Patrick's day was celebrated in that
part Of South Africa. He says in part:
A blue Sky, with scarcely cloud to
break the amethyst expanse. An oc-
casional white fleece hear the horizon,
gauze-like in its transparency, q tem-
perature so degrees in the shade, and
a cool wind with the first bracing sug-
gestion of the winter. 1t is a perfect
day-paradisal. But, lest anyone might
trust too much to the blue sky and the
flcecy clouds, let me say that there is
also the terrible dry hurricane and the
sandstorm, the sirocco and the simeon,
and the day that has dawned so fairly
may end in the thunderbolt and the
lightning, that seems to rive the
heavens, and the torrential rains
From out the blue skies these terrible
hurricanes will come without any
warning, so that, unless you are pre-
pared to face them all, put not your
| trust in the blue skies Of South Africa.
1t is land of surprises. In the morn
ing we had Mass Mt seven o'clock
everyone rises at six o'clock here, and
the business Of the day is done before
noon. The church here is named after
St. Brigid, and its pastor is the Rev.
John ]. Cummins, whose many friends
in Waterford and elsewhere will re-
joicc to hear Of his complete restora-
tion to health and strength. The green
was worn by everyone who could at all
claim any Irish connection, and by
many who could claim none. We had
to substitute the trefoil which grows
among the lucerne for the real sham
rock-I know with what scorn certain
young gentlemen at home will receive
this announccment-but some of us
We're favored with sprigs Of the real
"chosen leaf" grown in pots out here
by devoted Irish family. A choir Of
young Iris'iifien sang during Mass the
hymn to st. Patrick. I fancied their
voices faltered somewhat in the refrain
-"On Erin's green valleys look down
in Thy love-" After Mass n visitor in
Cradock played the Irish National
Anthem, est. Patrick's Day." while the
congregation sat to hear and enjoy.
Opposite the church one Of the firms,
Messrs. Evans & Co.. had raised n
beautiful green silk flag, en-
broidcred with white shamrocks.
The engine Of the Port Eliza
beth train going north wasdeco-
ratel with green flags, and the
faithful drivers and stokers wore green
roscttcs. So st. Patrick's Day passed
in Cradock, very quiet and subdued
I may say thai, the establishment of 4
permanent mission in Cradocl is quite
recent, due to the zeal and energy of
the good bishop, the Right Rev. Dr.
MacSherry; for, though there is neat
little church here, until lately a priest
could only visit once month. Rev.
Father Cummins is very popular with
all classes, military and civilian. and
even the natives never fail to respect
fully salute him everywhere. The
Catholic military passing through at
tend Mass here, and this brings me to
n matter worthy of anxious attention
at home. or all the Irish regiments
that have been sent out to the Cape
only two of them, am informed, had
Catholic chaplains. understand that
there is a third now, an English priest,
DR.. Alexander, with the troops at the
front in the Stormberg district, but the
neglect Of the Irish soldiers in this re-
spect was grossly criminal on the part
Of the war office authorities. Father
Cummins visits the districts north Of
here once n month to attend to the
spiritual needs Of the resident Cath
olics, and he told me n pathetic incident
that occurred n few weeks ago Mt De
Aar. On the Saturday of his visit the
Catholic soldiers in the camps heard of
his arrival They focked to the house
where he was and besought him to
hear their confessions. The good
priest could not refuse, though it up
set all his regular arrangements. All
day long and far into the night he sat
in room of one Of the Catholic houses
hearing the soldiers confessions, and
preparing them for the dread ordeal Of
the morrow. Poor fellows, for many