POPES WORDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 27, 1 February 1940, Page 9

POPES WORDS.

READ BY LEGATE. "FLOOD OF PIETY." EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS 1 OPENS. PONTIFICAL MASS OUTDOORS. i ■ <Bjr Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Eucharistic Congress, which was Opened to-day in line weather, was inaugurated with a huge attendance, which gathered on the large assembly ground in front of St. Patrick's College. The ground had been levelled and prepared during the past six months at great expense for the notable occasion. Seating accommodation was provided for nuiny thousands,before the high altar, un.l c\ery scat was occupied long before the Muss begun. Hundreds more stood rouml under the fierce sun. An impressive sight was the procession of clergy which preceded the I'apal Legate ni'.d bishops on the way to the altar. Every person on the ground hoard every word of the service through an efficient loud-speaker system.

The celebrant of the Mass was Bishop Liston, of Auckland, and the assistant priest was Monsignor Ormond; deacon, Father Courtenay; sub-deacon, Father florin; deacons at the throne, the Rev. Dr. Buxton, the Kev. Dr. Kennedy; master of ceremonies, Father A. Kobinaoti.

The Legate occupied the throne by the aide of the altar. The music of the Alass wa* magnificently sung by the Basilica male voice choir, under the T!cv. Dr. F. H. Walsh, the soprano voice* of the boys blending with the baritone and ba»* voices of the men and creating a truly splendid effect. The Mass sung ■was "Te Deum Laudamus," by Perosi, •ml the offertory motet was "Jesu Dulcis Memoria," by Victoria. The grounds were in beautiful condition and were decorated with late summer flowers, native fern* and symbolic flags draped on pylons. The attendance was estimated at 8000. Welcome to Visitors. Archbishop O'Shea. as host of the congress, delivered the address inaugurating the congress and welcoming the Papal Legate and all visitors. In replying to words of welcome spoken by a representative of the Xcw Zealand Hierarchy, the Legate said that through the exalted commission he had the honour to fulfil the Holy Father united himself with them in the celebrations. By an Apostolic Brief of July 3, 1800, Wellington received from His Holiness its first bishop. Eighty years later a Papal Legate heard with a heart filled with joy their proclamation of veneration and homage to the Supreme Pastor.

"These affirmations of your firm allegiance I will make known to the Holy Father, and they will give him great solace in these difficult days of his pontificate. Again you have built and are sustaining the Church, which stands so close to the busy pathways of life and movement, a silent symbol of things that are eternal. Its open doors welcome the pilgrim. Within those portals is hidden from view the tired wayfarer in the presence of his Eucharistic Lord. He can kneel in prayer, and implore the Lord of Light to illumine his soul amid the darkness of the infidelity of the modern world." Monuments to Saintly Labours. Their colleges and halls for higher education had long since won renown, and were a monument to the saintly labours of present, as well as of past, generations. Schools were being maintained and developed with generosity, which would turn material sacrifices into deep spiritual joy. The magnificent institutions for the orphaned, sick, infirm and afflicted stood as a testament to their everlasting credit, and might be regarded as the choicest imiiiortalfcs in the garden of their soul. He, offered heartfelt, congratulations on their great achievements during the past century, praying that God might deign to bless them abund-' antly in the years that were to come. The pledges of these blessings, he was sure, would be the Eucharistic Congress, the solemn opening of which was taking place. He gave the wish expressed by the Holy Father in an autographed letter: "As a result of this great celebration in honour of the most Holy Eucharist, may a floodtide of piety and fervour surge over New Zealand, stimulating all ranks and phases of Christian life."

The legate then read the letter, which it dated November 20, 1939, and in which His Holiness congratulated wholeheartedly the Hierarchy of New Zealand and associated himself most intimately with the celebrations. In this letter the Pope appointed Archbishop Panico as Papal Legate, to preside in his name, and with his authority, over the congress.