Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1904-03-12

7 which is tue most pIODdOic Vi ehSh ~
that he was born on the confines of Eng
land and Scotland, near Dumbarton, or
the English side of the line. This is the
opinion that is accepted by the Royal
Irish Association.
"He spent twenty-eight years In effect.
ing the conversion of Ireland. During
that time ne traversed the whole island,
from the Giants Causeway TO Old Kin.
dale, and from the hills of Connemara to
the Irish sea.
ellis tact is shown by the peacefulness
of Irelaud's conversion and the stron
hold which the Catholic faith has always
had upon the hearts of the people. Ire
land stands almost alone in this, that 1t
was converted without the shedding OF
single drop of martyrs blood.
"This may have been owing much to
the character of the people, but at the
same time it argues remarkable spirit OF
peace, gentleness, wisdom and conf
dence in the heart of the missionary.
No more complete conversion ever took
place. If it be true that suffering Is a
test of love, we must put the love of the
Irish people for Cathojicity above that Of
every other nation. This is not the time
or place to recall the details of the penal
days. But any one who doubts this fact
need only look up the old statutes. The
tears will come unbidden to his eyes,
and he will understand the meaning Of
Moore's beautiful ode, The Irish Lover
to His Mistress
"St. Patrick's unselishness is shown
by the fact that he made himself all
things to all men. He became teacher
as we'll as an evangelizer of the people,
instructing them in the arts and sciences
as we'll as in religion.
"Few men in any walk OF life have had
greater success; none have had more love
or immortal fame. The name of st. Pat
rick is as dear to the Irishmen Of today
as to him of l4O0 years ago, and that
name is a miracle worker now as then, in
the sense of being an incentive to love of
country and of God, to higher aspirations
and noble deeds"
The Rev. David S. Phelan, editor Of
the Western Waterman, writes of the
saint:
"St. Patrick is distinctively an Irish
saint. Wherever you find Irishmen-in
Ireland, America, Australia or New Zea-
land-you will find the celebration OF St.
Patrick's day of unusual prominence.
"In the church in general, however,
the feast of st. Patrick is only of second
rank. In some Catholic countries 1t is
not observed at all.
"St. Patrick is just as much hero Of
Ireland as Brian Boru. This is due to
the fight of England against the Irish
church and the establishment in ireland
of the Anglican church. Irish Catholics
rebelled against the action and rallied
around the standard of st. Pat
rick as the typical Irish saint, and
wherever you find Irishmen you will find
St. Patrick's day especially observed.
1.-THE Irish-American is particularly
in his celebration of the
day. and as the Irish-American is more
American than Irish, so now he is try
ing to naturalize St. Patrick and make
him the American saint. This accounts
for the great interest taken by all the
American Catholic churches in the feast
of st. Patrick"
The celebration of St. Pstrick's day in
Louisville in recent years has been more
appropriate than in early times. 1t is
mainly of a religious character. Formerly
there were professions and civic demon
STATIONS, but these have fallen into dis
use. The observance of the day is gen.
eral among Irishmen of all shades of
religious belief, and many who are not
Irish wear the shamrock to show their
respect for the saint. The Irish popula-
ion of Louisville is large and it is grow
ng in influence. 1t is fitting that all
Irishmen and women should observe the
lay in SOME way and the various Irish
will provide the occasion.