The Irish standard., 1915-01-23

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ole University of America. address
ing the Scranton Hibernians, said in
part:
Dear Sisters and Brothers: You are
the FIRST members of our organization
that I have spoken to collectively
since my conservation. at the hands
OF His Eminence. Cardinal Gibbons,
In the Cathedral at Baltimore on No
vember is. On that occasion I was
the recipient Of many gifts, but
there were two that gave me the
greatest satisfaction, the Episcopal
ring, which I am now wearing. the
.gift Of the Ancient Order of Hiberni-
ans assembled in Norfolk, Va, and
the crosier, or Episcopal staff, the gift
OF the members of the Ladies' Auxil-
iary, also assembled at Norfolk. The
setting of the ring is an amethyst,
surrounded by forty-tlve diamonds;
the goldwork most chaste and beau
tiful. Competent judges have pro-
.nounced your gift to be the most
beautiful ring worn by any Bishop in
the United States. For this tribute
Of your respect and love am deeply
grateful, and through you I give ex-
preston to my feelings of deep thank
fulness.
The ladies, in their own way, pre-
sented testimonial that is extreme
" unique, crosier, or Bishops
staff. It is large. fine example
of Irish art and is replica of cro-
sters carried by the Irish Bishops in
the middle ages, of which there are
some preserved in the Irish museum
in Dublin. It contains a treasure, a
relic Of Venerable Olive Plunkett, who
was a myrtyr under the tyranny Of
Oliver Cromwell. The relic is piece
of the linen in which the head Of this
man Of God was wrapped, which sac
red cloth was preserved by the Sisters
Sots Mercy at Droghedas The crosier
also contains statuette OF Our Lady
Of Limerick. This was a wooden
statue that was discovered in the
ruins of convent that existed In the
fifteenth century. About fifty years
ago this convent was restored, when
the wooden image of Our Blessed
Lady was discovered, and to-day, in
ireland, there is much devotion to Our
Lady of Limerick. The shoe, or the
piece Of wood in the end Of the Gro
sier, came from County Louth, where
st. Brigid is said to have been born.
The whole Is truly expressive Of genu-
inc Irish sentiment. With it have
every reason to be delighted, and to
the members Of the Ladies' AMxili.
ary, you who are the representatives
Of your 10000 sisters, my first duty is
to express my gratitude.
It is true, as DR.. Lucas has stated,
that I have loved, since became a
priest, the Ancient Order of Hiberni.
ans. have always considered It one
OF the greatest props Of religion. II
dates from the times Of Elizabeth
when people in the South of Ireland
were robbed of their land, and the
same being given to English settlers
From the Earl of Desmond, five thous
/, and rich and fertile acres were taken
/ and they have never been restored
Rory O'Moore is said to have organ
{ lied a body Of men, in these times
4 under the title of Defenders, and this
body Of men have never ceased to ex
list. They acted as defenders of theil
people against oppression; they were
vieilant sentinels, always guarding
their people against expressions and
further encroachments. They warnet
against threatened dangers, and the.
are entitled to and deserve our vener
alton and love, as did the Crusader
Of old.
In recent times the work Of organi
zation has been along social, economic
and political lines, but the departure
should not prevent US from recoeniz
ing the Ancient Order Of Hibernian
as an organization, essentially ecclesl
y astfcal and religious. The essential.
fundamental purpose of the Ancien
Order Of Hibernians is to defend tn
4 Catholic faith, and the members ar
as valiant today as they were in tn
Dixteenth century. You could have NJ
( better reason for cohesive action tina
d win result in an increase in your mem
4 bership, and would look upon It az
premonitory symptom of the decay Q
religion II our organization. was t
IAN. OF course, ours is racial OF
sanitation, not possible Of such exteni
i've growth because Of this fact, a
some others, but, If it be not sustaine
at Its proper level, to me. this will aI
{ pear % q weakening Of Catholic sent
ment among our people. In the II
turs, as in the past, It viii be our dut
81 to keep our organization up to its higi
ct standards Of efficiency, exhibitin
sths highest type Of potential catholi
religious sentiment.
Ths Ancient Order Of Hfbernian
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