MISSION AT ST. MICHAEL'S.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20333, 4 September 1931, Page 13

MISSION AT ST. MICHAEL'S.

fx. $ COMMUNITY OF THE ; ASCENSION. ACTIVITIES OP THE ORDER. . During the coming week a mission will be held at, St. Michael's Church, Oxford* terrace, by two members of the Community of the Ascension, of GoulbnrA, Australia, the Bev. Father Harold Davies, Superior, of the Community, and Brother Francis. Brother Francis is a New Zealander, having been born and brought up in Hawke's Bay, while Father Davies is paying his first visit - to the Dominion. The two missioners arrived in Christchurch yesterday. Father Davies, who was educated at a theological college in Victoria, and at the University gl Durham, served as a chaplain in the Great War. Ho was taken prisoner and spent nearly a year in a German prison-camp, where he did a good deal of mission work among his fellow-prisoners. After the. war he returned to Australia and was received < into the Community of the Ascension eight or nine years ago, being elected Superior last January. Born in Hawke's Bay, Brother Francis entered the Community nine years ago. He has chosen, as his special work, the conduct of children's missions. The Community's Work. "The Community of the Ascension, sends out priests to conduct missions and retreats and for purposes of special preaching all over Australia," Father Davies told the representative of The Press, who interviewed liim and . Brother Francis. "It has been in existence for nearly eleven and after starting with only three members now - , has many. It floes its work not only - . in the cities, but. also in-the villages and country districts, and it is hoped ; soon to begin work in the mission field among the Australian natiyes." > Laymen who wished to join the order, Father Davies said, entered the Community for a period of two years to be trained and tested. Then, if their resolution still held, they took life vows of poverty, .chastity,-and obedience, and. were received into the fellowship of the order.. #Prom then on they passed their days, when living in ,us the Community, according to a Btriet programme. •Eising at 6.15 a.m., they went to Mass is "the chapel. Breakfast was eaten at 8 o*clorfc, and the; hour from 9 to 20 was spent again, in chagel. Froip 10 to 12.30 p.m. the . . brothers studied, and from ? 2 o'clock' to 4 o'clock they worked in the grounds. i The Communitypossessesalbout thirty.; ' acres of land, where ~were grown fruit and vegetables and; cows' and fowls_ were cargd for, so that the Community was as near as possible. - f * This work in the open air was fol" _ s lowed by an- hour of meditation - in" j> chapel. .Evensong was sung at 7.15 " J p.m., from r 8 p.m, to 9.30 was spent in \ r study, and compline, the final service- "r of the day, was celebrated, at 9.30 p.m.' Strict silence wss" preserve# from compline until lunch-time nexijday. ( - :r " Mspy-'dalls;-!!#®'?-."The principle is tlii\ihje men living in tbe Community, themselves . that when *hey go'out they carry with ' them the spirit of their training," said . •Father Davies. ."In any/year this, brothers spend about six months in the Cojnmunity and about months in the world doing tai^lonaiywprk. -We are called to,do far jve possibly., compass.; and QuJ JrogramM' for the. whole; of 1 next ; year* v i 3 Allied &imunity J« all-over Australia are, layp|»* ,jof is "e^ed ".jfflHt? >Fratjernity -of sfchg jand help «s J ?rith, th*fir We have no nwjney o£ course; and live on,w£atufhe 2aitff&t&| give as.'* - v ; 31 To-morrow evening, the .Bishop.*-p;f Christchurch will" commission ,and' the two missioners, .the .mission. ? will begin in _St. Michael's 'Ghurch nest: - morning, , unlit ■ day, . September-lSth.* c . Holy„ jS services' tjOl beheld p.a£, and a. Hussion/ held at 6.30 p.m. • On;-,iaefi while the mission lasts^l&ly--Encha^t t o® will be celebrated at" 7j_ainL,;cl»ildr)Bn?Bjservices will' be. held; p.in., and mission -services;at Other meetings will-be, aztpotmce & .dur-jS® ing the course of the mission. ~