Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1908-03-21

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st. Patrick's day was celebrated
as royalty in the Falls Cities as any
where in the world. Louisville is
not by any means as large as New
York City, nor have we as many
Irish in proportion as that great
metropolis Neither has Jefferson
vile as large an Irish population as
Louisville, yet in both these cities Of
the Falls the men, women and
children of Irish blood showed their
faith, their devotion to st. Patrick
and their love for Ireland during the
present week. March II was as pretty
a day as the Ohio Valley has ever
seen. Early in the morning there
was a storm of thunder and lightning
Just before the sun arose heaven
shed a few tears of joy over the
glories of the day that were to come.
But from the time the sun arose
until it sank in the west not one
Threatening cloud married the skv.
The real celebration of the day IN
Louisville began Sunday morning,
when the four divisions of the \. o.
II. and the Ladies' Auxiliary attend
ed the $3.50 o'clock mass at ST.
Patrick's church and approached holy
communion. The mass was celebrated
by the Very Rev. Father James
Cronin, V. G., who preached a sermon
appropriate to the occasion. he
spoke on the motto of the Hiber-
mans, Friendship, Unity and True
Christian Charity" He dwelt upon
each of these virtues, and in con-
clusion urged all to be obedient to
their civil and ecclesiastical supe-
riors. The sermon sank deep into
their hearts, and the many Hiber-
mans and many of the Ladies'
Auxiliary will not soon forget the
lesson taught them last Sunday
morning.
The formal religious celebration of
st. Patrick's day by the entire Cath
tolic population OF the city was held
at st. Patrick's church at $3.50 o'clock
Tuesday morning. In all it's years
the stately old edifice never shone
more respondent than on that bright
morning. 1t was for many the first
opportunity to gaze on the church in
| its new dress, but all admired the
taste displayed. Electric lights
and candles in myriads added to
| the gorgeousness of the scene;
the main altar was adorned with
the green and gold of Ireland, and
the entire sanctuary was decorated
with palms and potted plants. There
were no less than thirty priests in
the sanctuary, and every available
space in the large house of worship,
even the organ loft, was filled with
devout worshippers, and all were
wearing a green symbol of some sort.
Every parish in the city was repre-
sented by one or more members.
The officers of the solemn high
mass were Very Rev. Father James
p. Cronin, Vicar General and pastor
of st. Patrick's, as celebrant; Rev.
Father Patrick Walsh, of the Sacred
Heart church. as deacon; Rev.
Father NJ. Melody, of st. Vincents
Asylum, as subdeacon; Rev. Father
John ID. Kalaher, master of ceremoD-
les. The music of the mass, rendered
by full choir of the members OF
lSt. Patrick's, with organ and
cornet accompaniment, was SPLEEN
did. At the gospel the Rev.
Father Martin O'Connor, pastor
of ST. AIichaers church, preached
the panegyric of st. Patrick. His
sermon was as impressive as was
ever heard in Louisville.
| Inc SDtdktE Sclu lltJ was piOhu VI
his race, and proud of the faith that
the Irish have planted everywhere.
1t was characteristic of the Irish, he
said, TO seek centers of labor and
industry, and with them went the
| Influence of their patron saint.
Father O'Connor then gave a brief
synopsis of the life of st. Patrick
and how he had planted in Ireland
that fire of divine faith that never
lhas and never will be extinguished
He said Ireland's patron had built
more churches and established more
schools than any man who ever lived.
There are nations more powerful
and richer, but Ireland is the nation
the purity of whose sons and daugh-
tiers are unequaled. He dwelt upon
the charity, hospitality and brotherly
love of the Irish people, and in
closing prayed for the freedom and
independence of Ireland. He said 1T
must come, and then Erin will take
the lead among the nations of the
world and assume that proud posi-
| ton she held centuries ago as the
leader of Christianity and education.
Ireland is not the Oldest but the
truest daughter the church ever had.
| Father O'Connor was congratulated
on all sides by the clergy and laity
l for his splendid effort. After mass
Father Cronin entertained the visit
ing clergy at dinner.
The other Catholic churches also
had masses in honor of ST. Patrick,
but not on such an elaborate scale,
and in the evening Rev. Father Leo
Harrigan, of the Sacred Heart re-
treat, preached the panegyric of