The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-17
Feast Day Is Celebrated
by Erin'S Sons in
Washington.
DR.. SHAHAN'S PANEGYRIC
HibernianS and Other Socie-
ties Will Gather Around
FeStal Board.

Joy reigns in the hearts of Hibernians
today. the feast Of st. Patrick, patron
saint Of Ireland. and hero Of its Chris.
tian history. The bright sunshine that
fills the air reigns in the hearts Of
1rishmen, and in Washington, as in
other cities. the feast is being appro>
priately celebrated.
A series Of ceremonies was arranged
and viii be carried out TO the letter be-
fore the day is over. These are both
OF a religious and secular character.
and began this morning with pontifcai
mass al St. Patrick's Church at 10
o'clock, and a military mass at II
clock at St. Aloysius.
The day is always observed with spe-
cal pomp at St Patricks and today's
ceremonies We're quite IN keeping with
those of former years. A long line OF
people hocl1ed to the churc... each ~
ing the emblem of the day. Sham:s.ek
a tiny Irish flag or streamers of bright
green ribbon. Long before the hour for
services the aisles were blocked with
persons anxious to obtain seats. but
the pews We're reserved for Irish So
cieties and other organizations. and it
was not until these had been provided
for that the congregation was seated.
Beautiful Decorations.
The decorations in the church were
especially beautiful. Hundreds of lights
cleaned from the high altar, and palms
were banked high up in a solid back
ground To the left side OF the sane
tuary a special place was reserved for
the Rev Denis O'ConnelL rector of the
Catholic University. and the guest of
honor at today's services.
Promptly at 10 O'Clock the process
sional march from Rubinstein's "Fera-
mors was begun by the orchestra and
organ Members Of the Ancient Order
OF Hibernians marched into the church
and formed a double lire through the
center aisle The clergy marched in
from the sacristy and around the
church into the sanctuary. and the eel
ebration Of the mass was begun The
Rev. Paul Griffith Of St Augustine's
was the celebrant with the Rev Father
DOugherty. of the Catholic University.
and the Rev Father Sterling. Of St
Matthews, as deacon and subdeacon.
respectively. The Rev. William A. Car
roll. Of ST. Patricks $. was master Of
ceremonies. The Rev. DR.. Pace, OF the
Catholic University, ana the Rev. DR..
Stafford and Father McGuigan. Of St.
Patrick's. were in the sanctuary
One Of the most interesting features
OF the mass was the musical program
arranged by the choir director. Armand
Gumprecht. A full orchestra assisted IN
the presentation OF Mercadantes mass
in A. Anton GiOetzner presided al the
organ. and Dir. GumPrecht directed the
program Mrs annie Grant Fug1tt,
Miss Grant. Melville Hensey and Charles
Goodchild assumed the solo work Of the
mass.
Ticks rectory. "A procession Of the clergy
through the streets was abandoned.
DR.. Shahan's Address.
The panegyric on st. Patrick was de-
Mvered by the Very Rev DR.. Shahan. of
the Catholic University. and proved an
interesting discourse on the life and
work OF the great saint. In his sermon
Dr. Shahan said.
we honor Saint Patrick as true
follower Of Jesus Christ. second to none
who have abandoned all things TO walk
in the footsteps Of the Redeemer. In It
self that would be enough 20 Justify the
enthusiasm OF Christians-the thorough
conquest Of self will always remain IN
their eyes the nOblest way 20 confess
Jesus Christ.
Irish Love Their Saint.
But the man and woman Of Irish de-
scent can never fail 10 love Saint Pat
rick for more selfish reason; he was
their benefactor. He himself was lilN
the sun among the Irishmen and Irish
women Of his day. shedding genuine
light on all the problems Of their souls
and restoring the darkened knowledge
of Cod as their Creator and Provider
and Saviour
Again he was like the sun Ia their
armament. that not only shed light. but
a warm light, filling all nature with
vigor and elasticity So Patrick broke
the stony heart OF pagan Ireland and
as Gods agent put in its place warm
Christian heart Of flesh, and filled II
with heavenly ardOr and emotion. made
II right loyal and grateful 70 Jesus
Christ. and incapable forever Of return
ing 70 the husks and the refuse OF
earthly advantages.
At the conclusion Of the services DIT
Continued on Fifth Page)