EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19057, 20 July 1927, Page 4

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS.

IN SYDNEY NEXT YEAR.

180.000 VISITORS EXPECTED.

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SYDNEY, July 6.

One of the greatest events at Sydney of modern times is expected to be the Eucharistic Congress next year. Last year the congress was held at Chicago, when the ceremonies were oil a gigantic. scale. Sydney, of course, cannot expect to rival the extent of those, but from all indications the 1928 congress will be one of the greatest religious events ever held in the southern hemisphere. Plans have already been in the making for over six months and a large staff is occupied daily in further organisation for the event. Travel experts anticipate that when the congress takes place at the end of 1928 there will be 180,000 extra people in the city for a week or more. Of this number those from overseas, it is estimated, will total about 10,000, and some innovations in ocean travel are being arranged to bring them here. The larger proportion of the overseas visitors for the congress is expected from America, and at least fom special cruises are being arranged. The Malolo, of the Matson Line, which reached San Francisco from the buildera' yards at Philadelphia recently, has been definitely booked to bring 600 people to the congress. Negotiations are also in hand for three of the Canadian Pacific Railways "Empress" liners to fill up with passengers at New York and come through, the Panama Canal to Sydney. They are all large vessels and should carry v 3OOO passengers between them. The capacity of the Aorangi, Niagara, and other regular ships on the Pacific run will also be taxed. It is expected that after the congress the ships will make a cruise of New Zealand and the South Sea Islands, as well as visiting many parts of Australia. The lines from 'Europe will also be busy. As there are many more vessels running on these routes, however, special ships are not expected to be required, though all the regular liners will be filled. Accommodation in Sydney will be taxed to the limit, for while many of the oversea visitors will live on their liners, they will represent only a small, percentage of thfe I total visitors to the city.

Of the functions during the congress little has as yet been published, but it has been clearly indicated that they will be of an extensive and luxurious nature. One of the main events will be the blessing of the completed wing of St. Mary's Cathedral, the last portion of which is now having the finishing touches placed upon it. Another event of the congress and one likely to cause controversy is the stated intention to carry the Host in a magnificent procession through the city's streets. A result of the congress that Australian Catholics are anticipating is that the Archbishop of Sydney (~Dr. Kelly) will be made a cardinal.