The Irish standard., 1919-03-29
By Rev. FIR. M. J. Casey

ing In the darkness of paganism.
What" thought he despairingly, 'tcan
one man accomplish among these
swarmlng populations?" Suddenly an
inspiration seized him. He would re-
turn to his native land and would re-
count his experience to his former fell
low students, now priests on the Irish
mission. He would describe the gold
en- harvest ripe and ready for the Sic
kle of grace, and describing it would
surely quicken into flame that shirt
of missionary enterprise which, des-
pite thousand years of war, persecu-
ton and prescription, has never been
quenched in Ireland.
His anticipations were justified by
the event. Hardly had he finished his
appeal to the students of Maynooth
than several of these young Levites,
and with them two of the professors,
volunteered for service on the new bat
tie front. The movement thus happily
lnaugurated spread like prairie fire
over the land. It was as if a new
Patrick had kindled another Paschal
fire, so enthusiastic was the reception
given the young missionary in every
diocese. Soon society was formed
and placed under the patronage of the
Great st. Columbanus apostle of Lux
euil and founder of the renowned mon
astery of Bobbio. 1t at once received
the approval and blessing of the Holy
Father; and an appeal for funds met
with such munificent response that
the Society was enabled to purchase
and equip as a foreign mission SEM
mary a. fine old mansion in lovely
spot on the western shore of Tough
Corrib in Galway.
| Today, after one year of existence,
the seminary numbers ten professors
and seventy students. To meet the
financial strain incident to such phen-
omenal growth the founders extended
their activities to this country.
Through the kindness of Archbishop
Harty, Bishop of Omaha, a building
was secured in that city, and formally
opened few months ago. Here is pub
lished their monthly magazine, the
Ear Easrs' which has already at
tanned surprising circulation; and
feel confident that through the zeal
GUS efforts of such workers in the
holy cause as yourselves, it's present
circulation of twenty thousand copies
will be doubled before the end of this
year. The magazine helps to supply
the sinews of war and brings the So
ciety and it's work before the public.
But it does something still more i'm
portant; it enables our people to CO.
Operate directly with those who have
undertaken the great crusade. thus
affording them play for the exercise of
that apostolic zeal, that love Of souls.
which in this materialistic age, is the
noblest as we'll as the most outstand-
Ing characteristic of our race.
In this manner does the supernatur-
al mission Of the Irish race reassert
itself at home and abroad. Thus have
the Irish of the twentieth century knit
themselves unto their past and begun
to revive the glories of Columboille
and Columbanus. These were the lead
ers Of those bands of Christian soldiers
who in the dark days following the
barbarian invasions bore the lamp of
learning all over Europe. Today they
are preparing to- lead new bands to a
wider conquest. Ireland, having won
the white races of the earth to Christ
has turned her face towards the ORR
ent resolved to add one more Jewel to
her heavenly crown.
Behold her as she leaves her lowly
clotster hard by the singing stream
and purple mountain and sets out for
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