ACT OF REPARATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 209, 5 September 1938, Page 11

ACT OF REPARATION.

ANTI-GOD CONGRESS.

CATHOLICS THRONG ALTARS.

Scenes reminiscent of the Catholic centenary celebrations were witnessed yesterday when thousands of communicants thronged the altars of Catholic churches throughout the city and suburbs, receiving Holy Communion as an act of faith and reparation, at the invitation of the archbishop and bishops of New Zealand. J. he day was observed as one of prayer and reparation for the blasphemy of the Anti-God Congress, which is to open in London this week. The Blessed Sacrament was exposed on the altar in every Catholic place of worship throughout the country, and thousands paid devotional visits during the day. At early celebrations of Mass almost everyone received Holy Communion, and congregations were small at the late Masses where Communion is not offered.

Preaching in St. Patrick's Cathedral before a full congregation, Bishop Liston said Catholics throughout the world were united in an act of reparation to Almighty God for the blasphemy committed in arranging an international congress for the purpose of denying Him. It was a consoling fact that, despite persecution in several countries, never in the history of the Catholic Church had faith been at white heat as it was to-day. Never had there been as many applicants for admission to the great religious orders of men and women, never were the sacraments so freelv and persistently used by the general body of the faithful. In countries where persecution was rife, defections among the priesthood could be counted on one's fingers. The Catholic Church commanded more loyalty and fervour to-day than in any age of history.

The ceremonies in St. Patrick's Cathedral concluded yesterday with a public Act of Reparation, a solemn Eucharistic Procession, and the singin<* of "Faith of Our Fathers." °