Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-17
GREEN THE POPULAR COLOR
Flag of Ireland. With Its Golden
Harp, Also Feature.
PATRIOTISM AND DEVOTION
Services in Local Churches-Quiet
Forms of Celebration Take
Place of Street Parades.

a while il seemed that the day would ne
as stormy as had been some notable st.
Patrick days of the past. AS the day ad-
vanced. however. the sun took several
CHEEKY peeps from beneath the pail OF
gray storm clouds and added golden
tinge to the picture in green, much to the
qualification of those who celebrated the
occasion.
The national color of Ireland-green-
which Is also the predominating color of
nature. was in evidence everywhere In
this broad land today, but nowhere in
more graceful profusion than in Washing
ton and it's picturesque environs. Men,
women and children galore wore emblems
of the popular hue. There were green
ncckties. green badges. green shamrocks.
green frOcks. green post cards. and even
the trees and vegetatio nbroke into
tinge of green as If to add honor to the
occasion. while displayed at a number of
points was the green flag of Erin with it's
golden harp as the centerpiece. Today is
an occasion when the popular Irish mel
ody. "The Wearing of the Green can be
sung and whstled and played on musical
instrument in entire harmony with the
happy celebration.
st. Patrick Scotchman.
Good old Saint Patrick, in whose honor
today is Celebrated wherever there is a
son or daughter of the "ould sod" is be-
lieved to have lived from A. D. 372 to
A. d. 49,. He was Scotchman, so his
tory records, and became famous as a
missionary. AS such he is said to have
been the first priest to introduce the
Christian religion in Ireland. One of the
many pretty traditions connected with his
holy labors on the Emerald Isle is that
by his presence there he drove into the
sea- and baniShed forever from Ireland all
snakes reptiles and other creeping things
ST. Patricks day is recognized the world
over as an occasion of Celtic patriotism
and devotion. Prayers are said for the
old country, and the hope goes up from
many thousands of Irish hearts that some
happy day the island will be free and rec
ognized as one of the nations of the
earth.
Services in Churches.
In the Catholic churches impressive
services are held, and Celtic societies hold
celebrations in honor of the day. But not
the least of the celebrations are those
that take place about the f1resides in the
homes of the Irish people, where the ira
ditions and stories of good old Saint
Patrick are related to the young folks.
Not many years ago St Patrick's day
was marked by street parades. in which
there were blaring brass bands, waving
banners and f1ags of green, and the tramp
of marching hosts. But more recently
that character of demonstrations has
given away to other and more quiet
forms of celebration. But Withal there
is none the less fcrvor and enthusiasm,
and ERIN go bragll' Is uttered with as
much ardor and fervency, even though
with less of eclat. Much of the money
that heretofore was expended In the
street displays now finds its way into
ri 0f oh
fort and cheer to the sick and distressed
Attend Solemn High Mass.
To begin the observance of ST. Pat
rick's day. members of the Ancient Order
of Hibernians and OF the ladies' auxil-
iares of the District attended solemn
high mass in ST. Patrick's Catholic
Church at II oc ock this morning The
members OF the organizations met in Car
roll Hall. G street The women proceeded
at once to the church. The members Of
the A. o. H. formed a line from the door
of the rectory to that of the church,
through which passed the clefgymen.
This service was made notable by the
presence of Mgr. Diomede Falconio. apos-
celebrant of the mass was Rev. F. X.
McKenny, president of ST. Charles Col
lege. Ellicott City. Md; the deacon was
Rev. Maurice Cahill of the College of
III,
Rev. William Cahill of ST. Paurs Church,
Baltimore.
Sermon by Rev. DR.. Shahan.
The sermon was preached by Rev. DIR.
Thomas J. Shahan Of the Catholic Uni
versity He decred suicide He was
pointing out the need for greater devel-
opment of the three virtues-faith, hope
and charity-and he pleaded for hope in
another world. in another life.
DIR. Shahan reviewed the history of the
early Christian epoch. the period of the
martyrs, and the conversion of the Ro-
man empire.
DR.. Shahan described the religious work
Of st. Patrick in Ireland. The rapid
abandonment by the pagan Irish of their
low pagan stage of religion, their equally
rapid progress in the spirit and the works
Of a truly Christian life. their generous
missionary work in France. Germany and
Italy. from the sixth to the tenth CEN
turtles. and finally their wonderful con-
through long centuries of religious ard
political martyrdom inflicted on them by
the government and people of England"
Reception in Carroll Hall.
At the conclusion of the solemn high
mass the choir sang as occasional
Hail Glorious APOSTLE The apostolic
delegate and attendant clergy passed
from the church through a lane of MEM
bcrs of the Ancient Order Of Hibernians
to the church, where the vestments were
removed.
A reception followed in Carroll Hall,
when the Ancient Order of Hibernians, it's
ladies' auxiliaries and the congregat ton of
ST Patricks Church were presented to
Mgr Falconio. 1t is estimated tat more
than 1000 persons were presented. Stand
ing with the papal delegate We're Mgr.
University; Rev. William r RUSSELL pas
tor of ST Patricks Church, and Mr.. Edw.
A. Hannan, representing the laity of the
parish.
Guests at Luncheon.
At o'clock the clergy in attendance
were guests of Father Russell at lunch
con in honor of Mgr Fa1conio. The lunch
con was served in the dining room and
north parlors of the rectory.
Among those present I'm the congrega-
ton were P. T. Moran. a national director
of the Ancient Order of Hibernians;
Francis p. Sheehy. county president of
the society. and representatives of other
Irish American bodies.
The program for the other celebrations
of ST. Patrick's day include a banquet of
the local HibernianS at the National Hotel
this evening at o'clock. that of the
same hour. and number of private en-
tertainments in honor of the patron saint
of ireland.
College Students Insist on Holiday.
Net Withstanding the announcement YES