MEMORIAL SERVICES AT ST. PATRICK'S.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 179, 29 July 1903, Page 5

MEMORIAL SERVICES AT ST. PATRICK'S.

The memory of the illustrious Pope Leo Xlll. was solemnised at St. Patrick's Cathedral last evening in a manner eminently worthy of that great poll tiff. The impressive dirge was rendered by the united priests in the sanctuary iri a most effective and. solemn manner. The attendance at the service was a record one. Every seat was occupied, and large numbers stood in the aisles. Among the seventy invited guests were the European Consuls, members of the City Council, and a few Anglican clergymen. The church was tastefully decorated in the papal'colours, purple and gold. The catafalque; draped with purple velvet and gold, was erected in the centre aisle before the high altar, and was surrounded by. lighted candles. At the heacfeof the. cathedral was the papal coat of arms, which included the keys of Peter, surmounted by the Tiaraf with stole. On the right of this His Lordship Bishop Lcnihan's coat of arms, "For Faith and Country," and on the .left, was the Auckland Corporation's coat of arms, "Advance Auckland." Below, upon small shields, were the words: Born 2nd March. 1810; appointed Cardinal, ] 853; consecrated Pope, IS7S; died 20th July, 1903. Somewhat over a thousand yards were used in the decorations, which will be loft standing for some time. The Bishop presided over the dirge, and was supported by the Very Rev, Monsignor Paul, ViGr.,. and. the Rev. Monsignor. O'Reilly. The dirge commenced -with the recital of the solemn office of the dead, Matins and laiuls. .The/Matins consisted of three nocturnes, each of winch comprised three psalms. The readers of the lessons in the first nocturne were Rev. Fathers Tormey, Ho].brook and McG.uinncss; second, Fathers Darby, Brodie and Buckley;: third, Rev. Father. Egan, Right Rev. Monsignor O'Reilly, and His Lordship the ■rsMiftJ>.- . Next came a sermon by the Very Rev. Dean Hackett, of Paeron, which was followed by the lauds. The ehantors were the Very Rev. Father ISenedict, 0.P,, and Father -Furlong. Father Patterson, Adm., accompanying on the organ. The choir then sang the "Miserere", and "Benedictiis," The soloists were Miss Donovan, Mrs. Hiseoeks, Messrs. Casier, Guscott. Clark, Lonergan and Parish, The final prayers and Benediction were pronounced by the Bishop, after,which the "Dead March" in' "Saul" was played, and the service, eoneluded. ;

The panegyric on. the. Pope, delivered by-, the.Very Key.Dean Haekett, was delivered in a most' eloquent manner, and is considered one of the most able sermons heard in the Cathedral for many years. In the • course of his sermon the preacher said that to-day the eyes of 250,----000,000 Catholics /were turned to Rome, and ,the voice that spoke to air nations and all classes, from the. Sovereign on his throne, to the -workman in his pit, was silenced. The heart that beloved the poor, the suffering sons of toil, was stilled; the hand that steered tjie barque of Peter through troubled seas had fallen from £ha helm: the eyes of the -watchful sentinel were dosed and sealed in death. This mourning was not confined to any one nation or people; it was world-wide and universal. Leo was a great ruler, whose power '.-came from the right hand of God, whose sceptre ruled over the willing hearts of man, whose throne rested not on the will of any nation. Greater was he than Abraham in powerj than Melchizedek in priesthood, than 'Moses in authority, than Samuel in jurisdiction. In him Catholics recognised the centre of. human-faith, the infallible guide and shepherd of Christ's flock militant, the cardinal point of all the churches. Today he is taken from his flock, Time and history will crown him With the name of Leo the Great. . The preacher then briefly outlined the life of the Pontiff, whom, he said, had striven with uncompromising hostility to cheek the advance of atheism, materialism and* socialism, which were very rampant when he ascended the throne. All combined forces against him, but he arose like, a giant and smote them. His tactful suppression of the persecution in Germany was one ..of the glories of his reign. Leo always exhibited the greatest zeal in the cause of education, and was unswerving in his efforts to uplift the poor. The speaker concluded by enjoining the faithful to offer prayers for the reposevof the soul of the departed sovereign Pontiff, thus assuring him that their blessings follow him be-yond-the grave.

This morning at nine.o'clock a solemn requiem mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Patterson, Adm., Very Rev. Dean Haekeft being deacon, and Rev. Father Brodie sub-deacon. His Lordship the Bishop presided, and the priests in attenda'nee on the throne were the Very Rev. Monsignor Paul, V.G., and the Rt. Rev. Monsignor O'Reilly. "Libera Me" and "Dies Irae". were chanted dining mass before the catafalque. Prayers for the dead and special to the occasion were recited by the Bishop and priests. The congregation was very large, the whole of the seating accommodation being occupied. Those present included the Rev. Canon ISTelson and Rev. Wilson, and Consul-General Dilliughain U.S. After the service the _ 'Dead March" was played by the organist.