RELIGIOUS DEVOTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 215, 11 September 1928, Page 9

RELIGIOUS DEVOTION.

AMAZING SCENES. DURING THE EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS. INCIDENTS UNIQUE TJf AUSTRALIA. HUGE MEN'S DEMONSTRATION. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, September 7. Never before in the history of Australia has there been such a titanic religious gathering, such tremendous expression of unshakable faith, such representative concourses, such scenes of religious fervour, as have been associated with the present Eucharistic Congress in Sydney—an attraction to one city of the highest Roman Catholic dignitaries and prelates from aU parts of the world, in one vast demonstration, which it win not be possible to see again in Australia for at least 80 years. From the viewpoint of the casual observer, not connected with the religion, which is of such power as to have drawn together a gathering so representative of all nations, the various demonstrations held in connection with the proceedings of Congress Week have been truly a revelation. Vast crowds have sought to St. Mary's Cathedral for the devotional passages; still vaster crowds have been forced to wait without, billowing over the green of Hyde Park, and spilling themselves on to the various approaches to that stately edifice; and yet, at a word from the loud speakers provided to allow everyone to follow the proceedings, the huge concourses have knelt and prayed as one, wherever they were placed, at those intervals where the religious significance of the service inside decreed such an act necessary. The spectacle of men and women kneeling and praying in daylight in the main streets of the city, is not one which Sydney has been privileged to witness before. On~ the casual observer such demonstrations have a tremendous emotional effect; the distinct feeling of a very real Presence. On a member of the particular faith which has made such things possible, what then, must be that effect? Wave of Religious Fervour AU the brilliant assemblies, religious and otherwise, have brought to Sydney a touch of the rich colouring of the Old World. The gorgeous robing of the distinguished leaders of the church, and the laity in the gowning of their various orders, have created intense interest wherever they have appeared; and the whole wonderful affair has resulted in a wave of religious fervour amongst members of the Roman Catholic population, both of New South Wales and amongst the thousands of visitors, which is so tremendous as almost to beggar, description.

Significantly, and fortunately enough, the Congress met a few days only after the completion of Sydney's most beautiful architectural work—St. Mary's Roman Catholic, Cathedral—a building which has been in process of completion for a score of years, and on which nothing has been spared to make it at once an outstanding work from the architectural standpoint, and a monument to the religion which gave it being. It was officially opened by his Eminence Cardinal Ceretti last Sunday, before a most distinguished gathering, and with a crowd estimated at 70,000 outside following every speech and incident through the loud speakers. A speech, which has been since described as worthy of the greatest statesman, was made by the Premier, Mr. T. R. Bavin. "It is a special pleasure to us in this city," he said, "that the occasion of this great gathering should be the opening of this stately and beautiful building. We, as citizens, are proud of it. It is the possession of all of us, no matter to what class or creed we belong. "It is a noble addition to the architectural beauties of the city, will be an inspiration to our architects and artists, and a source of joy and pleasure to all those who love beauty in any of its forms. A Sermon In Stone. "It stands in one of the busiest parts of the city, where thousands of our citizens pass and repass on their business, surrounded by buildings devoted to Government, commerce and other of the material things of life. It stands as a sermon in stone, silent, but eloquent witness to the truth that men do not live by bread alone—witness to the truth that the only solid foundation of a healthy individual and national life is to be laid on those spiritual forces which make for righteousness. This beautiful building embodies and typifies that spirtual instinct, a purpose beyond material things which, after all, are the forces behind human life. This impresses us in many ways. "It is an instinct of which I speak as a citizen, that unifies the forces in humanity. It should, and I hope it will, make us realise that the things that unite us are deeper and more lasting than those that divide us. That instinct of which I have spoken, I hope, will be in this community a source of harmony and unity, not discord and strife; a source of toleration and generation, not intolerance and bitterness. After all that is the golden chain by which the whole round earth is bound in every way about the feet of God. "I hope," he said in conclusion, "that from this building will radiate influences that will bring not only jov to the individuals who worship here, but a new nobility and dignitv in ' the national life of New South "Wales." He welcomed the distinguished prelates, adding that their presence was a signal honour to the State. Archbishop Redwood, of Wellington was cheered as he ascended the pulpit! I deem it a great honour and privilege to represent New Zealand on this great and historic day," he said. "It is now 46 years since I preached the opening sermon of this cathedral in its then state of partial completion. The altar, the sanctuary, and the ma«mificent painted glass window. ished as they now appear. It iTs already an inspiring pUeTand gave ~£at hopes of W hat it would becSie when £2f n**""* • * have a,so P r «*S overio\vea e rs J - ~Dportant *-*- for «*thedral, which was later consumed bv. 3%i. *° Uld DeVer for B et *• <**"* £..?£ ?!*«> I** 1 ?, which his youthful imagination likened to magical thunder. *Us present feelings were bevond adequate expression, replete with intense gratitude that he had lived by a specially benign Providence, to behold such a historic and happy day. j Felicitations were also 'extended from J other parts of the world, notably bv Rev. Father Martindalo CBMlMdj fad 1

Bishop O'Doherty (Ireland). Celebration of Masses has proceeded at various of the city churches and at the Cathedral all the time flint, the congress has been active, and these have been attended by thousands of celebrants. Special sermons have been delivered by visiting prelates all over the metropolitan area. By far the most impressive ceremony, apart from the procession which concludes the congress on Sunday, was the gathering of 130,000 men at the Show Ground on Thursday night. It was an enormous demonstration, providing a spectacle unique in Sydney. **• voices of the multitude of men assembled there in a wonderful manifestation of faith in the Eucharist poured forth in a great volume of iegnlated sound.as they sang the simple hymns set for the occasion. But the effect of the most spectacular demonstration of the night far exceeded the expectations of its organisers. At a given signal the electric light* round the arena were extinguished, and the vast crowd was engulfed in the pitch darkness of night. And then, at another signal, each of the 130,000 men lit and held aloft a taper, the picture presented being for all the world like thousands of white flowers aglow on a blade background. The lights shone on their white, upturned faces, straining toward the loftv altar on which were Cardinal Ceretti and other prelates. Archbishop Kelly held up the monstrance containing the Eucharist and a hush, broken only by a startHngly clear fanfare of trumpets, fell on the assembly. Again they aaag hymns of adoration, and at a further signal everv taper was extinguished as the Sacrament concluded. It was an emotional feast. Maybe it will be transcended by the scenes to come on Sunday; but on those who witnessed it the men's demonstration left a memory which win never be effaced. Racial Suicide. Dr. O'Doherty preached the sermon, a discourse in which he referred to racial suicide and indicated where his church stands on the question of it and "kindred evils." "The command of God to the married state is Increase and multiply,'" he ■•aid. "The families and nsstJona that dare disobey the voice of God must suffer the penalty of decrease aad disappearance. "Hie most difficult and delicate duties of parents begin when the children cease to be infants and learn to distinguish between good and eviL . . Parent* should win the hearts of their children by unswerving devotion to their happiness and Christian education. They must watch -and labour so that no vicious influence may invade the home and no evil passion conquer the hearts of their children while abroad. "In these days of alleged liberty—a liberty which we should prefer to call license—vice flaunts itself in the face of the passer-by, from every point of vantage. Parents must **»«»ii Mt the books and periodicals perused by their children, the amusements they frequent and the companions with whom they consort—even the teachers who instruct them. If any of these influences endanger the eternal salvation of their children such a one should he forthwith suppressed.'* With such demonstrations and exhortations as this are members of the Catholic faith being overwhelmed, while the final procession and elevation of The Host on Sunday promise to bring to the city a crowd such as has never been seen before in any part of Australia,