Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1911-03-25
Anniversary OF Ireland's Apos-
tie Piously Observed at st.
Patrick's.
sermon of Bishop O'Donaghue
Was in Keeping With
Occasion.
MANY CLERGY WERE PRESENT


and other decorations, but on st.
Patrick's day there is a difference II
the pastor and his people have any
Irish blood and Irish spirit. Nowhere
In Louisville was st. Patrick's day
more fervently celebrated than at
st. Patrick's church on Friday morn
Ing of last week. Very Rev. Father
James p. Cronin, v. c., pastor OF
the church, had seen to II that the
decorations were both elaborate and
tasteful. Every window had its
quota OF ferns and palms; trailing
green plants graced the affairs, and
the electric harps on either side OF
the main altar when Illuminated
lent character and meaning to Ire
lands green, white and gold.
The mass began at $3.50 o'clock,
but long before that the clans be-
gan to gather. Kerry and Mayo,
Down and Cork, In fact every quarter
of the dear old Emerald Isle, had
numbers OF their representatives
there. They were there not to forget
their ancient English tyrants. but to
glory in the deeds of Erin's sons and
They were there not to forget their
ancient English tyrants. but to glory
in the deeds OF Erin's sons and
daughters. Irish flags supple
mented the electric harps and lent
additional harmony to the color
scheme.
Forty or more OF the clergy took
part In the celebration. Neither
we're they all of Irish birth or blood.
There were Germans and Italians,
Americans and French in the gath
ering. Led by acolytes the imposing
procession entered the church from
Father Cronin's residence. The har-
mony of color was perfect, II any
human scheme can be called perfect.
FrancIscans in black and brown,
Dominicans in white, the officers OF
the mass in white and gold and the
nRight Rev. Bishop in purple made a
motion picture never to be forgot
ten.
Bishop O'Donaghue occupied
throne on the gospel side of the
altar. Fathers P. NJ. J. Rock and
Louis Ohie sat beside him as deacons
of honor. Vicar General Cronin
celebrated the mass with Father
George Weiss as deacon, and Father
John T. Hill as subdeacon. The
music of the mass was furnished by
an augmented choir with orchestral
accompaniment, and was thoroughly
In keeping with the spirit of the
day. Prof. Leo Schmitt arranged
and carried out the music with taste.
After the first gospel Bishop
O'Donaghue assembled the pulpit and
preached the panegyric of st. Pat
rick. II was the Bishops first st.
Patrick's day sermon in Louisville.
How was he going to handle It?
Would he be Irish or non-Irish? The
Bishop settled II satisfactorily. He
was Irish; he was American and
above an dignitary of the church
and q disciple of st. Patrick.
Bishop iO'Donaghue told those as
sembled that they were there to
celebrate st. Patrick's day, but he
added that he had no new story to
tell OF st. Patrick. He said that II
was good to show respect for all the
saints OF the church. They we're all
disciples OF Christ, and We, who
initiate them, are heirs of the saints.
Heaven Is the destined nation OF all
countries. Here on earth the lines
may be slightly drawn from time to
time in favor Of different saints and
different countries. The Rishop ex-
planned how st. Patrick was being
honored in so many countries today
because his apostolicity stands
unique In that he was not native OF
ireland and yet his disciples are all
over the world In spreading the faith.
After the advent of st. Patrick
ireland became school for the
other nations OF Europe. He told In
graphic words the story OF Ireland's
persecution during the days OF
Cromwell, who wanted to send all
the Irish to hell or Connaught. But
the Bishop added. but. God help US,
there is few OF us left" Bishop
O'Donaghue also recounted the
works OF the twelve apostles. but
showed that their individual work
was not commensurate with the work
OF the great apostle of Ireland.
After the mass the Bishop and
clergy were entertained at dinner by
Father Cronin. and II was a sure
enough Irish dinner. The Clare men
and the Limerick men hobnobbed
with those from Donegal and Mayo
after the mass and shook hands In
good faith. just as they had prayed
during the mass that heaven. not
Ireland. was TO be their final king