The Irish standard., 1916-08-26
MASSES ON THE MOUNTAIN.
Over Twenty Thousand People Attend
the Annual Croagh Patrick Pill
grimage-Father O'ReiiIy De-
livers Sermon in Irish
Father Angelus Speaks
IN English.

Dublin, July 31.-Iesterday record
crowd took part in the annual Croagh
Patrick Pilgrimage. 1t is estimated
that 10000 people assembled on the
Holy Mountain. Dull weather pre-
vailed, and dense mist rendered the
formidable journey the summit most
unpleasant, blottng out the beautiful
scenic panorama but failed to damp
the religious fervor OF the pilgrims.
In accordance with the request of
the Archbishop OF Tuam the great trib-
ute to the National Apostle was speci-
ally directed to invoke the blessing
OF God on Ireland in those momen-
tous days. The Most Rev. DR.. Healy
found it Impossible to be present, and
in reply to a message OF regret from
Father Caravan, Westport, expressed
his disappointment at not being able
to visit the holy and historic site,
and conveyed his heartiest blessing.
Masses were celebrated continuously
at the three affairs in the Oratory on
the summit from s a. m. to noon.
Some 1000 persons, many OF whom
kept vigil on the Reek the previous
night, received Holy Communion,
amongst them being an old lady, so
years OF age, who journeyed from,
Ballinlough, County Roscommon, and
after partaking Of the Sacred Host sim.
ply said "The dream of my life has
been realized"
From daybreak onward vehicles of
every description piled busy trade
from Westport to Marrish, and the I'M
broken line of devotees, many in bare
feet, ascending and descending the
mountain remained uninterrupted up
to the late afternoon.
Eloquent sermons were delivered on
the Reek, one in Irish by the Rev. ].
O'Reilly, st. Johns College, Tuam,
and one in English by the Rev. Father
Angelus, o. S. f. c., Cork.
The Rev. John O'Reilly, in the
course of his sermon in Irish referred
to st. Patrick's experiences on the
Holy Mountain and to the great spir-
itual battle which the National Apostle
fought there on behalf of the future
generations of Ireland. He showed the
close connection which had existed be-
tween the true Faith and true Nation
ality among the people of Ireland
since the time of ST. Patrick, and he
dwelt on the Importance of preserv-
ing this unity in the future. The true
Faith and true Nationality in ireland
had been woven into one fabric, and
the destruction OF one would mean
the destruction of the other. St. Pat
rick was of a generous, kindly dispo.
sition, but he was at the same time
strong-willed and fearless. He was
determined to carry out at any cost
the object which he came to Ireland
to accomplish. and in order to do so
he did not hesitate to trample on the
laws OF kings and princes and druids.
Never was Ireland in greater need
than at present of st. Patrick's assist
ance to protect her spiritual and tenn
poral interests.
The Rev. Father Angelus said a
great want in their public and National
life was the overlooking of God. He
admonished his hearers to have con.
fidence in the destiny Of their native
land, and look forward to the time
when temporary misunderstanding
disappointments, and set-backs having
been set Alright the land and the people
would stand out in the full light of
liberty and freedom.