The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-17
HONOR MEMORY OF
|RELAND'S SAINT
Under Bright Skies Irish AM
orleans Celebrate Natal
Day
SOLEMN HIGH MASS
AT ST. PATRlCk'S
Observance of Day to Con-
clude With Banquet Civ
en- by HIbernians and
St. Patrick's Society

With every pew occupied by wor-
shippers representing every Catholic
church In Richmond, the altar ablaze
with lighted candles. decorated with
flowers, palms and flags, and sur
rounded by prominent ciergymen from
this city and various sections of the
State, and the sun streaming through
the memorial windows throwing multi
colored but subdued rays over all as
though In benediction, Ireland's below
ed apostle, ST. Patrick. was honored
by the celebration Of solemn high mass
in the presence of Bishop Van de Wy
Yer In ST. Patrick.s Catholic church
on Friday morning.
No more impressive homage could
have been paid the patron saint of
Erfn'x Isle than the solemn worship
OF God with the awe-inspiring cera-
monies Of the mass by tks satin ROBBED
clergy resplendent In gold braid and
brilliant velvet, the altar boys In pur-
Pile cassock and white lace surplice
and the silent participation of the con-
gregation while sacred chords Of the
large choir filled the air and the aroma
OF burning incense filled the audito-
rum.
An Honor the saint
st. Patrick's church was the GEN.
ter of the religious worship for all
Richmond In homer OF the saint whose
name is bears and the celebration of
the mass signaiixed the beginning of
the day which all devout Catholics
and true-hearted freshmen and women
devote to him who transplanted the
Catholic faith in the bosoms of the
natives OF the island where the sham
rock grows.
The Rev. Father Thomas f. Waters,
of Danvilie. delivered the panegyrie,
eulogistic Of ST. Patrick and descrip-
tive OF the effect of the life of the
saint on civilization. In part. he said :;
"All nations pay tribute to the
memory OF their great sons. states
men. soldiers and Sschurchmen. 1t Is
eminentty f1tting that we gather to-
day In honor Of Ireland's patron saint.
st. Patrick wa sbern In what Is now
the north of France OF Christian pa
rents in the latter part OF the fourth
century. There has always been
doubt AZ to his birthplace and sew
eral countries claim he was born on
their soil. Time only increases thu
conflicting stories.
Captured by Pirates.
When still boy. St. Patrick was
taken captive by pirates and carried
away from his home to Ireland. He
was sold as a slave to an Irish chief
tain. For six long years. filled with
sorrow and hardship he tended the
fiocks of his master. in the rains
and SHOWS of the long winter nights
and day OF the dreAry hillsides oil
County Antrim.
But during these six years he spent
long hours each day in prayer. and
his one consolation was the lessons OF
piety learned from his parents in early
childhood. After many trials and diff
fjculties he escaped from captivity
and returned to his home IN Gaul
He Was Allied with an overwhelming
desire to return 10 Ireland. the land
OF his captivity. and teach the Catho-
lie faith to the natives. Therefore
he devoted himself to the study oi
the Gospel, and in time was ordained
and finally consecrated bishop.
He then returned to Ireland again
sent ON his holy mission OF CONVEX
sion by Pope st, Celestine. II was
about the year 422 that st. Patrick
began his task OF spreading the
Catholic faith throughout the land
II Is said that by his own hand hi
captixed $4,000 persons and gave orr
Tin to seS churches Monasteries
were erected. and on every hand wer.
seen new evidences Of his untirins
Iabors. His Efforts were crowned with
such success that before his death he
had won the greater part of the Irish
people to Christianity.
Eject OF Teaching.
Father Waters concluded the ser
mon with the effect OF St Patrick
teaching on later day civilization. how
he inspired love of God and countr,
me hearts of Erin's sons and how
they, a nation OF missionaries, hav,
carried the faith around the world.
f(,ontinu> I'd on Third YsaRe)