THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SAINTS' DAYS

New Zealand Tablet, 15 March 1917, Page 36

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SAINTS' DAYS

To the Editor. Sir, —Your correspondent seems to me to misapprehend the nature and object of the panegyrics on St. Patrick habitually preached throughout New Zealand at this time. I take it that neither preacher nor congregation wish for a moment to place the national saint of Ireland, dear as his memory may be to them, on the same plane as the Patron of the Universal Church, the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin, and the Foster Father of the Holy Child. The 17th of March is the patronal feast of the Irish : the 19th of March is the patronal feast of every Catholic in every part of the world; and the life and virtues of St. Joseph are commemorated in every copy of the New Testament, every Christmas Crib, and every picture of the Holy Family. But just, because devotion to St. Joseph is so much a part of the everyday life of a Catholic, it is not so necessary to remind our Catholic people of the honor-due to him. On the other hand, St. Patrick's Day is more or less of a symbol, to the Irish and their descendants throughout the world. On that day we like to meet each other, and to refresh our patriotism by our memories of the glorious saint who bloodlessly established the Christian faith among an eager and truth-seeking race. That race has guarded and cherished it as its most precious possession, and following St. Patrick's noble example, has carried the torch of faith to the four corners of the world. St. Patrick's Day, to those of Irish blood, means a day of remembrance of all that is highest in their Catholic and national traditions and because the great majority of New Zealand Catholics are of Irish descent, it is fitting that in the churches of New Zealand, St. Patrick's Day should be made the occasion of an appeal to those national memories. The centuries have brought to the Irish race sorrow and suffering beyond the common lot of nations. Once in the year we claim the right of publicly commemorating our national trials, and our national faithfulness to creed and country. Surely no fellow-Catholic will wish to take from us at present a day of prayer and intercession, that by the help of our own patron saint, the new perils pressing so darkly on our country may be averted, and she may be spared the sorrows and strifes that threaten her. —I am, etc.,