Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, 10 March 1921, Page 3

Friends at Court

GLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK’S CALENDAR. March 13, Sunday.—Passion Sunday. ~ 14, Monday.—Of the Feria. ~ 15, Tuesday.—Of the Feria. ~ 16, Wednesday.—Cf the Feria. ~ 17, Thursday.—St. Patrick, Bishop and Confessor. No fast or abstin-

ence. ~ 18, Friday.—Seven Dolors of the Blessed Vir-

gin Mary. ~ 19, Saturday.—St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

St. Patrick, Bishop and Confessor.

The nationality of St. Patrick is' much disputed, some naming France, others Scotland, as the place of his birth. When but 16 years of ao r » he was carried captive into Ireland, where he-remained for six years, thus by a remarkable dispensation of Divine Providence becoming acquainted- with the language and customs of the people whom he was afterwards to evangelise. Having escaped from captivity, his one desire was to return to Ireland, bringing with him the blessings of the true Faith to its pagan inhabitants. The desired mission was confided -to him by Pope St. Celestine about 432. His labors were crowned with complete success. By his exertions Ireland has ever since not only kept the faith pure at home, but has helped to propagate it in nearly every country in the world. St. Patrick died about 464, and was buried in Downpatrick. GRAINS OF GOLD ST. PATRICK’S DAY. St. blest Apostle of our nation, To-day thy. children scattered o’er the earth, Unite in thought and prayer, in heart and spirit, With those who in' the dear land of our birth Now celebrate thy feast with deep affection And with devotion kneel before thy shrine To thank thee for the precious gift thou broughtest— The Faith that ever in our land doth shine.

Through smiles and tears, 'midst joys and tribulations,

Unto thy teachings we have .. faithful been, And as each year comes round, upon thy feast day We wear with pride the shamrock ; ever green— The little three-leaved plant that thou didst gather To teach the mystery of the Trinity, Which ever since that day we've fondly cherished, And ever will, with memory of thee.

Yet not alone" in Ireland is it worn, For loving hands have sent it o'er the foam, And with "Cead Mile Failte" we receive it Who exiled are from our dear native home; For neither time nor space can separate us From that dear land— spirit we are there: Oh, how we long to see her liberated— In all her woes, in all her joys we share.

But, though the way is long and hard the struggle, We'll not despair, for surely we can see The far-off dawn of that bright day long wished for When our dear little island shall be free. Oh! then, dear Saint, we'll come again to thank thee And seek thy blest protection as of old, - While Ireland's flag will proudly flutter 'o'er us, It's folds alight in Faith's own rays of gold. —An Irish Exile, in the Irish Catholic. Somewhere in France, March, 1920. ' ( ' "

A buoyant word—a brief smile— nod of glad recognition—all these little things that do not j interfere with attention to diity, are of large importance in making the lives of -others more bright. :