IN FIFTY YEARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 243, 14 October 1935, Page 3

IN FIFTY YEARS.

MARISTS' JUBILEE. FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION. COMMEMORATING GREAT WORK. Fifty years of a great work in New Zealand were commemorated during the week-end in the celebration of the golden jubilee of the Marist Brothers' teaching order in Auckland. Described at the Mass of thanksgiving at St. Patrick's Cathedral bv Bishop Brodie as a "glorious commemoration," it was an occasion that drew to Auckland many old boys of the brothers' schools, who showed in their attendance at the various functions a respect and an affection that was a most impressive tribute to the work. This morning they gathered again at St. Patrick's for a Solemn Requiem Mass dedicated to deceased brothers, pupils and benefactors of the schools. It was an impressive occasion, made the more so by the attendance of the boys of the schools, many visiting brothers and priests, and a large congregation of old boys. The music of the Mass was sung by a choir of priests and brothers under the direction of the Rev. Father F. H. Terry, D.I. "Not Forgotten." Again the sermon was delivered by the Rt. Rev. Dr. M. ,T. Brodie, Bishop of Christcliurch, who paid a tribute to the magnificent work of the devoted order of brothers, a tribute based not only on the success which that work had achieved, but on his personal knowledge and great thankfulness to them. Bishop Brodie was a pupil at the Sacred Heart School in Pitt Street, in the year of the foundation of the order in Auckland, ISBS. It was a privilege, lie said, to be able to take part in tin's jubilee celebration, and to show in some small measure the very great gratitude all old boys of the school felt for the brothers. The boys they had trained had gone out into all walks of life, but on this occasion they could show the Marist Brothers that thev were not forgotten. Bishop Brodie presided at the Mass, which was «lebrated by the Rev. Dr. L. T. Buxton. The dcacon was the Rev. Father V. Courtney and the sub-deacon the Rev. Father A. H. Hvde. Father •T. Bowling was master of ceremonies. The bishop was attended by Fathers Pavlinovich and Taylor, and also on the altar were Monsignors Cahill, Edge and Holbrook. Preaching at the Mass of thanksgiving yesterday morning. Bishop Brodie outlined briefly the history of the order from its foundation in 1817 until the present day. The order had its birth following the Revolution in France, he said, when a young man. Marcellin Champagnat. disturbed by the fact that so many young people were growing up without a knowledge of God. gatheied to liini a group of men and founded an institute which had since grown to its present tremendous scope. Growth of Order. Xow, lie said, there were 10.000 brothers of the order the world, having under their care the education of 1 .">O,OOO boys. The work in Auckland had begun on August 27. 1885, when four devoted brothers landed here and established the old Sacrecl Heart School in Pitt Street. Xow throughout New Zealand there were 5000 boys attending Marist Brothers schools. "It is my privilege this morning, in the absence of vour own beloved bishop, and at the invitation of the diocese of Auckland, to associate myself with this really great and glorious commemoration," said the bishop. "How inspiring it was to me to come as an old boy of the Marist Brothers, but with the responsibilities of a bishop, to be met at the station here and to be attended at almost every step I take by a grand body of men urged on by the desire to do everything they can for their faith." Work of Sacrifice. Bishop Brodie then addressed himself to the brothers present, referring to the great hardships they underwent, the saer ifices they made with their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, but pointing to them the glory of the work they were doing and the great happiness that was theirs in the religious life and in the gratitude of the children whose faith they inspired. Mass was celebrated on this occasion by Bishop Brodie, who had with him Father Terry as 'deacon and Father Courtney as sub-deacon. Monsignor Holbrook was assistant priest, and Dr. Buxton master of ceremonies. Fathers G. M. Colgan and W. S. Flynn were assistants at the throne, and Fathers J. J.. McCarthy and J. Bowling, chaplains to the Vicar-General. Earlier in the morning there had been a general communion of old boys, and they attended again en bloc at the Mass of thanksgiving. Garden Party. The social activities of the jubilee were begun on Saturday afternoon with a garden party at the Sacred Heart College, where the beauty of the grounds and the fine weather made an ideal setting for a gathering of old associates. Bishop Brodie was the guest of honour, and he was welcomed by the provincial of the order, Brother Benignus, the director of the Sacred Heart College, Brother Tarcisius, and members of the jubilee committee. Another honoured guest was Brother Plielan, who was director of the old Pitt Street school from 1010 until the time of its abandonment in 1913, and who .is now in charge of the Tliorndon school, Wellington. There were also present brothers from the Hamilton school, and many old boys of the first school. During the afternoon a drill display was given by the pupils of the Vermont Street school, and a display of eurhythmies by pupils of St. Mary's College

under Miss Daphne Knight. Basketball matches were played amongst teams from Catholic primary schools, and music was provided by the Ponsonby Boys' Band. Community Tribute. A community tribute was paid to the brothers last evening, when the Civic Theatre was packed to capacity .well before the beginning of a concert and presentation to the brothers, which were part of the celebrations. The presentation, in the form of a cheque from the old boys, was the occasion for a burst of applause that lasted for some minutes. Tributes to the brothers' work were also paid by the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, Bishop Brodie and Monsignor J. Cahill. Brother Benignus responded. Amongst those on the stage was Mr. M. J. Savage, Leader of the Opposition. Items were given by the Civic Cabaret Band, boys of the Marist Brothers' School, Vermont, Austin, the boys of St. Peter's Training School, Northcote, boys of the Sacred Heart College, Ponsonby, Messrs. G. Pagan, R. Simmers, and F. G. Bourke, the choirs of St. Patrick's and St. Benedict's, assisted by Madame Kate Campion, blisses Doris Jenkins, Doris Bransgrove, Messrs. Fagan ancl G. Taylor, as soloists, and by Mr. Denis Palmistra at the Civic organ. The celebrations will be ended this evening with a smoke concert at St. Benedict's Hall.