ST. PATRICK'S BASILICA.

Evening Star, Issue 12765, 19 March 1906, Page 8

ST. PATRICK'S BASILICA.

Yesterday being the Sunday following the feast of St. Patrick, high mass was celebrated at St. Patrick's Basilica, and was attended by a large congregation. The Hibernian Society were represented by a number of their members, who attended in regalia. During the mass the Rev. Father O'Reilly was celebrant, the Rev. Father Howard deacon, and the Rev. Father Ryan sub-deacon, whilst the Rev. Father Cleary oficiated as master of ceremonies, and also preached a scholarly sirmon, taking for his text: " Let us give praise to men of renown." The choir, under the conductor (Mr T. Deehan), gave a very devotional rendering of Farmer's Mass in B Flat, the solos being exceptionally well sung, those taking parts being Mrs Sandys (soprano), Miss Fitzpatrick (contralto), Mr W. L. M'Evoy (tenor), and Mr J. Mooney (bass). Mr E. H. Eagar (choirmaster) ably presided at the organ during the mass. As an offertory piece Mr Eagar gave a masterly rendering of Bellini's beautiful setting of the ' Veni Creator,' Miss G. Kerr acting as accompanist. The evening service -was also well attended, the large Basilica being crowded in every part. ±ne Rev. Father O'Reilly preached, taking for [ his text: "Go out of thy country, leave thy father's house, and go into the land that I will show thee." The rev. preacher gave a most eloquent <and practical perora- | tion on the history of the Catholic faith in 1 the Green Isle from the time of St. Patrick, portraying in vivid terms the many vicissi- ; tudes and persecutions through which the faith instilled in the hearts of the Irish people by the apostle remained unshaken. During the offertory the choir rendered a hymn of praise to St. Patrick, using the old traditional melody, while at the close of the service the congregation sang the inspiring hymn ' Faith of our fathers.' The highest tide in the world *is in the Bay of Fundy, between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The tide there sometimes rises to the height of 71ft, and the increase is occasionally as much as "a foot every five minutes. .