ST. BENEDICTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 95, 23 April 1928, Page 10

ST. BENEDICTS.

FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY.

YESTERDAY'S CELEBRATIONS.

BRILLIANT SCENE AT MASS.

The gleam of candle light on magnificent embroidered vestments, the episcopal purple of the bishops' robes, and the uplifting grandeur of the classical music of the Mass, combined to make Pontifical High Mass in St. Benedict's Roman Catholic Church yesterday morning an occasion long to be remembered by those who attended the celebrations of the Church's fortieth anniversary. The church was packed to the doors.

His Lordship, Bishop Cleary, presided, and was attended by Fathers Dignan and Furlong. The Co-adjutor Bishop of Auckland, Right Rev. Dr. Liston, was the celebrant, witih Father Colgan as deacon and Father Shore as sub-deacon. Father Ford acted as deacon of honour and Monsignor Ormond master of ceremonies. Twenty priests were in the sanctuary, including the Rev. Dr. Buxton. administrator of St. Patrick's Cathedral. Thirty altar boys, attired in purple cassocks and white surplices, knelt at the altar rail throughout the more solemn parts of the service.

Dr. Liston, who preached the sermon both at Mass and at vespers last evening, said that since the church was opened on April 22, 1888, over 30,000 Masses had been celebrated at St. Benedict's before the people. When one thought of the multitudes who had found peace within the walls of the church, there was sensed a feeling of gratitude to Him, to the priests and to the lay workers who had made St. Benedict's such a power for the Church. "When one reflects on these things," said the bishop, "what is there for one to do than to permit the heart to exGlt. that the soul should be steeped in courlage for the days to come."

He wished to fully acknowledge the work of the zealous priests who had served St. Benedict's so well and nobly in years past. The bishop also paid a great tribute to the Sisters of St. Joseph' who had trained many thousand boys and girls for God and country.

Dr. Liston added that when reviewing the history of St. Benedict's and the work connected with the church, one missed many old faces. "We may sigh for the touch of a vanished hand, and for the sound of a voice that is still, but they are with God. and those whom God keeps are well kept."

Last evening a message from Arch

bishop Redwood, of Wellington, was read. Archbishop Redwood, who is one of the only two surviving clergy who took part in the dedication of the Church

40 years ago, said that his mind naturally reverted to the memorable occasion. It was with pleasure that he counted the progress made by the Church, and offered I thanks to God.

At the conclusion of the Mass, Bishop Cleary, at the end of the processus down the central aisle, gave the Episcopal blessing, the faithful kneeling as he passed by.

The choir, under the baton of Signor Costantini, sang beautifully and rendered the following daring Miffi: "Kvrie" (Kreckel); "Gloria," "Sanctuß* and '"Benedictus," by Gounod, Pietro A. Yon's "Credo" and "Agnus Dei," «nd Perosi's "Magnificat."