The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-15

W1O5S OOSOIn the bright waters meet
Oh, the last rays of feeling and love
must depart,
Ere the bloom of that valley, shall
fade from my heart
| The impression of st. Patrick was
firmly stamped upon the bosom of ev-
cry true son of Erin, inStanced by
| the slightest indication of infdeIity
Ireland now enjoyed her former peace
and happiness, she rebuilt her re-
| ligious homes, once more offered up
| the Sacrifice of Holy Mass, giving
thanks to her Blessed Heavenly King,
| not because he had restored peace, but
| because he had allowed so many of
her martyred sons and daughters to
enjoy 1.-THE Beatific Vision
The time came, however, when the
rights of Ireland were seized upon by
| England and behold, an era of blood
shed, persecution and sorrow. The
dear little angels above must have
| wept, when they saw that Infamous
tyrant Henry VIII plotting to tear
asunder the liberty of a quiet, hum
| BILE, God fearing people. The ques-
| ton proposed to them might be sum-
married in the few words: "Give up
your faith, adopt the doctrines which
we, (t1e English government) will as
sign to you
No, cried the Irish heroes emphati-
callyI Our faith is nearer and dearer
humanity. The light of ST. Patrick
conducts us ever onward along the
paths of honor, virtue and persever-
ance, therefore, we are prepared to
meet death rather than extinguish
that light.
Indignant on account of such pro-
ceedings the English government de-
termined to make them submit. False
apostles were sent into her land, who
after depriVing her of her national
rights, strove Indignantly to rob her
of her Virginia. Innocence. ireland,
gathering together what few forces
she then possessed bravely chung to
her freedom, until the Inhabitants, IA
tigued from hunger, thirst and cold,
were compelled to bid farewell to Tn
Dependence The streets were again
strewn with the blood of Inartyrdon1,
pale, heart broken mothers, many OF
them holding infants in their arms
and knee1ing over the nangled bod
les of their husbands and sons, would
beg to be given a, little food for Their
infants. Oh, cruel, heartless soldiers,
can't you hear the sobs of our chill
dren, dying for want Of food and
drink. No, they cared not for human
misery and thus many starved to
death even along the public by-ways.
My good Irish friends, know that
your hearts are heavy with grief but
bear with me while longer.
demo1ish the true Catholic creed es-
tablished by st. Patrick. Hence ev-
erything bearing the seal OF Catho-
Lefty was destroyed. Those who re-
fused to accept the new religion, I'M
derwent the most inhuman fortunes.
Priests and sisters were cast into pris-
on, there to await death by suffocation
or starvation Children, taught from
infancy to die rather than give up
the true faith, were numerically
butchered in the presence of their pa
rents. In some cases the mother was
brought before her children in order
to try and brighten them into sub
mission First of all they would
brand her with q. hot iron, then tear
her arms from their sockets, then
pluck out her eyes, and then leave
her to succumb in sight of her own
flesh and blood Oh, how strong
must have been the faith of those
children when each one, in his turn,
would suffer those dreadful torments,
without murmur, without complaint.
Historians tell us that the groans
and agonies of that down trodden but
noble community, could be heard for
miles around. They were driven
from their homes and led like cattle
to be slaughtered. The whole ISL
and was a mass of martyred blood
and for more than one hundred years
the corrupt penal laws served to fur
cestors.
what, then, sustained the faith of
the s'Island of Saints and Doctors"
when church, monastery and altar
disappeared, when no organ pealed,
when the bells were silent, what then
upheld the true religion of Christ Cor
Christianity the Island of st. Patrick a?
That fire of divine love, which he
lit centuries ago, has not been ex-
tinguished. 1t shone forth ardently
during Ireland's Independence, it con-
tinued to shine forth with more bril-
iancy during the sad times of perse-
cution and b1ood-shed, and thank God
it shines forth to-day, in all the
grandeur, sp1endor and sublimity OF
sound Christian Catholic faith.
Let us cherish the memory of ST.
Patrick all the days of our life and
let every loyal Irish individual fire.
ouently repeat the words of Father
Faber's famous poem, dedicated in
honor of that glorious Apostle:
Cali praise to ST. Patrick, who brought
to our mountains
The gift of Gods faith, the sweet
light of His love,
All praise to the Shepherds who show |
ed US the fountains
That rise in the heart of the Saviour
above.
in tears,
Our Saint has been with us, our shield |
and our stay;
Yes, Father of Ireland; no child wilt |
2 thou own,
Whose life is not lighted by grace on |
it's way
For they are true Irish, oh yes, they |
alone,
Whose hearts are all true on st. Pat
rick'S Day.