St. Patrick's Church in Rome

New Zealand Tablet, 4 May 1911, Page 833

St. Patrick's Church in Rome

Full nigh fifteen centuries (says the Catholic ■ Weekly) have passed since St. Patrick received his mission in Borne to go and preach the Gospel to the Irish people. Ireland's fidelity to the See of Rome has always been unquestioned, and has been a source of great joy to each reigning Pontiff. The opening of this church in Rome on St.Patrick's Day will be a reminder of Ireland's steadfast adhesion to Pome, arid an expression cf loyalty to his Holiness Pius X. in his anxiety for the Catholic Church in other countries. The Irish, at home and abroad, will rejoice on this St. Patrick's Day, because in the capital of Christendom Ireland will take her place among the other nations. The site of the present church is where St. Patrick received his mission from Pope Celestine, and where afterwards Pope Celestine found his final resting-place. The foundation stone was laid on February 1, 1888. by Dr. Walsh, the present Archbishop of Dublin. The earth which surrounds this stone was brought from St. Patrick's grave and blessed by the late Pontiff, Leo XIII. The late Archbishop of Philadelphia preached a very eloquent sermon on the occasion to a large and representative congregation from all parts of the world. The work advanced rapidly for a time. On December 14, 1908, after a lapse 'of twenty years, work was resumed, and the church is now to be opened for public worship. ..-; Leo XIII. showed his personal interest in the church by subscribing most liberally to the building fund. Our present Pontiff, Pius X., has expressed in many ways his longing desire to have the church in honor of St. Patrick completed.