Sir, - Kevin Myers was outraged, utterly outraged (April 24th) because a unit of the Army escorted the casket containing St Therese's relics in Rosslare. I do not know who carried the same casket down Fifth Avenue in New York (when all traffic stopped) - perhaps New York's finest. In Moscow it was the military.
Some years ago I happened to be in a town near Vienna on the Feast of Corpus Christi. Everything in the town had closed down for the procession which, as well as having little girls in their First Communion dresses throwing flowers before the Blessed Sacrament, had attracted the inhabitants of all the neighbouring villages in their colourful local dress. The procession included the army, the police force, the fire brigade, the foresters and many officials in uniform accompanied by several brass bands. It was a wonderful procession and I reflected sadly that it was unlikely that I should see such a scene in Ireland.
It was very refreshing, therefore, to see the Army giving St Therese her due in Wexford. She is, after all, an important dignitary whose mortal remains have come among us and it is seemly that she be accorded the same honours which she received throughout the world. - Yours, etc.,
M. M. Ireland, Priory Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.