The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-08-14

I'LL nullllvllluL III
The Faith of Ireland! What a won
derful product it is! Planted by st.
Patrick centuries ago it quickly took
root In congenial soil, and it grew into
a beautiful plant as the centuries
rolled on. Then the storm of persecu-
ton came, and far from whitening be-
fore the fierce blast it struck it's roots
all the deeper and firmer, though
forced to hide its head somewhat. In
these present days when the storm of
active hostility has almost passed, it
Is proudly showing its face again, and
giving expression to its vitality in the
and monasteries and con-
vents which are springing up all over
the land, and in many forms of public
devotion. One of the first striking
forms in which Ireland's Faith has dis.
played itself in recent years has been
the annual pilgrimage to Croaghpat-
rick, the scene Of the National Apos-
ties great battle and victory for all
future generations of his spiritual chill
dren. This year the pilgrimage has
taken place in the midst of the trag-
edy of an almost worldwide war, and
the initiative of the wise and Jealous
Archbishop of Tuam, in the area of
whose spiritual jurisdiction the Holy
Mountain is planted, has given the
celebration a complexion most appro-
pirate in the tragic circumstances of
the hour. The Most Rev. DIR. Healy,
who, by the way, is responsible for the
revival of the pilgrimage some years
ago, expressed desire which received
wide publicity that the celebration
this year should take the form of a
great public act of intercession and
atonement, and he expressed the ex-
pectation that the Pilgrimage this year
would surpass in numbers and SOL
emnity the greatest of its predecess-
ors. His Grace's expectations have not
been disappointed. Last Sunday thou
sands of pilgrims not only from the
West, but from many distant parts of
Ireland journeyed to the summit of
Croaghpatrick, and took part in the de-
votions in spirit of exemplary faith
and piety. The ordinary train service
of the Midland Great Western Com
pany was supplemented by a large
number Of specials" From an early
hour Sunday morning huge trains
filled, even to standing room, with
pilgrims followed each other in rapid
succession into the Westport station,
and discharged their human freight
of both sexes-young, middle-aged, and
old. Numbers who had arrived in the
town on Saturday night set out for the
mountain in the early hours of Sunday
morning, some starting shortly after
midnight. On Sunday morning from
the time the special trains began to ar
rive until noon, and even into the early
afternoon, a great procession of cars
began to ply between Westport and
Murrisk. Not only were horse vehicles
in evidence, but a number of motor
cars were also pressed into the serv-
ice. From Murrisk the journey to the
summit was made on foot, and it was
a remarkable spectacle to see through
out the morning great line of people
extending from Murrisk to the summit
laboriously/ making their way up the
mountain side. Then as the day adj
vanced there were two streams of
people, one proceeding upwards, the
other descending. It is a toilsome
journey upwards, consuming the great
er part of two hours, and it was re-
markable and edifying to see the vast
numbers of old people and young la
dies whom the difficulties of the way
failed to deter from successfully pur-
suing their way to the very summit.
Those who were still toiling upwards
received words of encouragement from
the descending pilgrims to persevere
in the upward journey. Among the
pilgrims were two nuns. Large num-
bers attended mass and received Holy
Communion in the Westport Church
before setting out for the mountain,
and others assisted at one or more of
the many masses which were colo.
brated in the little oratory on the sum-
init. 1t was considered that the pill
grims exceeded in number those of
previous years, and it is estimated that
considerably over a thousand received
Holy Communion on the summit, hav-
ing made the severe journey upwards
fasting. The weather was beautiful,
with almost uninterrupted sunshine
and a light, bracing breeze. There
were few showers, but they were
not of much severity.
The Archbishop Of Tuam.
The Most Rev. DR.. Healy, Archbish.
op Of Tuam, celebrated the half-past
eight o'clock mass in the Westport
Church. His Grace, addressing the
congregation after the First Gospel,
said he was very glad to have the op.
portunity again of joining in this his
toric pilgrimage to the holy noun
tain. He wished specially to refer to