The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-15
ST. PATRICK And
THE IRISH RACE
Bridgeport Theological Student
Delivers Interesting Address
Before Montreal Audi
enCe

John J. Donne11y, a, theological stu
dent at the Grand Seminary in Mon
trea1, Can, delivered a stirring ad-
dress in that city recently on ''St- Pat
rick and the Irish Race Mr.. Don
J. Donnelly of 347 Warren street. He
said in part:
est. Patrick and The Irish Race
Tt is my duty to try and establish
within your hearts, if such does not
already exist, a deep, reverentia1 feel
ing of respect and admiration, not on
~ for st. Patrick himself, but likewise
for the entire Irish Catholic race. I
desire to prove to you that, personally,
I am iInbued with a keen apprecia-
ton and esteem for our Irish Catholic
people, for the wonderful zeal with
which they have upheld their religion,
for their sincere, straightforward dis
positions and especially for their 10y
atty to that great and glorious Apos
tle-St. Patrick.
Let us return in spirit, to the time
when our beloved ancestors lived in
obedience to pagan custom, when the
light of civilization was hidden from
their view, when the world itself was
emerged in the worst kind of cor
ruption and idolatry, when the very
walls of morality were beginning to
crunb1e. and even at this period Ire
land was styled THE Sacred Isle
And why? Because her paganism did
not assume so debased a form as that
which existed in other countries. 1t
was here, in this pagan land that st.
Patrick first received his knowledge
of Divine Truth
In his youth st. Patrick had been
given every opportunity of advanc-
ing himself in pleasure and vain glory,
but, inspired by the grace of God, he
abandoned frivolity and the gratihca-
ton of the senses. At the age of six
teen, he was torn from the tender en-
brace of a loving mother, sold as a
slave and sent into Ireland. In the
capa city of an ordinary shepherd boy.
he seemed to be contented and in his
many tribu1ations, was consoled, not
by the soothing words of an affection
ate parent, but, by sweet celestion Wis
ions.
Freed from the bondage of slavery
six years later the noble Patrick re-
turned to his native home. However,
the hand of Almighty God had touch
ed him and a voice from Heaven told
him of his future mission, among the
people whom he had learned to love.
Under the influence of such distin-
guished Saints as Martin and German,
he received priestly orders and, not
long after his ordination, the dignity
of a Bishop was conferred upon him
in order that he might fulfill his
heartfelt desire-that of establishing
Christianity in Ireland. Night and
day he could hear the Irish people
al Newman:
LEAD Kindly Light,
Amid this encirc1ing gloom,
Lead thou US on,
The night is dark and we are far from
home"
Yes-in that land of beauty and
sunshine, there existed, at least a
spark of Divine love, which st. Pat
rick after years of trial and difficulty
succeeded in rekindling, and thank
God, that spark has not yet been ex-
nor will it ever be extin-
guished as long as the Irish race
claims existence.
CheerfulIy did st. Patrick guide the
destinies of Erin, never failing to
practice humility, charity, patience
and love, converting thousands upon
thousands of the inhabitants, and per-
forming miracles the like of whichc
the entire universe.
religious institutions,
schools of science and virtue were con-
and in a short period of time
Ireland was ab1aze in her glory and
sanctity, so much SO that other ma
tons attributing to her the name 1.-THE
Island of Saints and Doctors
While not a drop of blood was shed
during st. Patrick's mission, yet, we
must bear in mind the fact that his
were beyond human COM
prehension. He accepted the wrath
of infuriated mobs in spirit of NOR
LITIGATION, oftentimes saved only by the
staff given to him by God.
From north to south, from east to
of
joyed one grand triumpha1 procession.
strengthening kings and their subjects
by his pious, invigorating sentinae nts
of purity and love- Oh, the quiet,
peaceful age that followed when the
alteration of the Blessed Virgin be-
came so conspicuous, when the bells
of Shandon that sound SO grand on
the pleasant waters of the River Lee,
tolled sweetly throughout that Holy
Land.
tHark the vesper hymn is stealing,
Der the waters, soft and clear,
Nearer yet and nearer pealing,
And now bursts upon my ear
(Jubilate, Anen.)
Oh, Ireland thou art the home of
the nob1est men who have ever lived
in the history of time.
In your tranquil, unb1emished age
we can hear you chanting the magni- |
icat ANNA nea Dominun (My soul
10th magnify the Lord), we can see
your bright, cleaning countenance as
you recite, as though in one common |
voice, the words of the beautiful AN !
yeIical Saluta tion," the Hail Mary, !
Full of Grace, etc.
Where then is the Irishrnan whose |
heart is not filed with joy at this |
victory of Christianity |
,ver Paganism? Where is the Irish |
nan, who, at the gentle sound of the |
harp does not look towards Heaven |
md say, in the words of Thos. Moore |
hat renowned Irish poet:
oh guard our affection, nor e'er let
it feel,
The blight that this world Ger the
warrnest will steal,
While the faith of all round us is