PRAISE OF FIRST MISSIONARY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22338, 28 February 1938, Page 12

PRAISE OF FIRST MISSIONARY

Spreading the Faith ] In Oceania i ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY BISHOP LISTON {press association telegram.) AUCKLAND, February 27. A welcome to his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate, the Most Rev. J. Panico, who presided over Solemn Pontifical Mass, celebrated this morning in St. Patrick's Cathedral, and to visiting members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy overseas was extended by Bishop Liston in his address during the ceremony. He spoke of the ideals of Bishop Pompallier, and of the faith which inspired the Church. "Here, amid the scenes of our Catholic beginnings, welcome to this sacred commemoration," he said. "In your person, we venerate the Holy Father, and through your Excellency we express our attachment to the Faith and the See of Peter and our devotion to his august person. We trust your Excellency's presence among us for these days of remembrance will strengthen in our hearts the sense of dutiful and affectionate loyalty to the Vicar of Christ. "We are honoured, too, and encouraged in the coming of the Archbishops and Bishops of Australia and the Pacific," continued Bishop Liston. "We cherish the fraternal courtesy that brings the distinguished Bishop of Oklahoma to represent the hierarchy of the United States, and we feel the Catholic soul of all these southern lands profoundly moved by the presence of the Venerable Archbishop of Tuam, straight from the heart of the mother Church of Ireland, that has formed and fashioned us. The Church of God lives and moves, and has her being in one ideal—that all men may come to the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and, conscious of her mission from above, she walks the roads of every land in pursuit of this ideal. An Unfailing: Memory "Under the authority of Pope Gregory XVI, John Baptist Francis Pompallier came to Western Oceania. He was zealous in his priestly work in Lyons, but afar off were thousands to be brought to the light of God and the same Divine impulse that drove Francis Xavier from the secure triumphs of the University of Paris to unknown toils and the mean bodily labours, hardships, and dangers of the East, made the young abbe an apostle and father in God of the Church in New Zealand and beyond. His memory shall not fail, and h;s name shall be recalled from generation unto generation. "The Bishop came not alone. The priests of the Society of Mary and the Marist Brothers were his first helpers, and the memory of their holiness and sacrifice honours their own native land. These and a thousand others that fill to overflowing each of the hundred years are our husbanded remembrances of the faith and goodness of priests, religious, and laity, and of God's watchfulness, mercies, and graces. , ,„ . .. . "Years are before us, and if at this time we grow more conscious of our spiritual-power and responsibilities, we must take joyous resolution for our tasks," he continued. "Our veneration for the past, for bishops, priests, and laity now with God, does not consist in mounting guard over their tomb, but in pressing forward to win for Christ souls of the Maori and pakeha. Catholic and non-Catholic. "E>s sacred Person, His message, the very thought of Him, are for us the heart of things. We do believe that in Him will everyone find peace of soul, in the spirit of our father in God, Bishop Pompallier. We ask to-day the blessing of Jesus Christ in our land, and all its people through the length of days."

POPE'S MESSAGE DELIVERED

THANKFULNESS FOR WORK

OF CHURCH

APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION

GIVEN

AUCKLAND, February 27. One of the most solemn moments during Solemn Pontifical Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral was the reading of a message to Archbishop O'Shea from Cardinal Pacelli, Cardinal Secretary of State, in which the Pope extended felicitations to New Zealand Catholics on the completion of 100 years of their faith in the Dominion. . The message adds:— "Eager to share vour ioy and that of other bishops and all who bear the Catholic name in your beloved land, he lifts up _ his voice to God for this: That ever since that distant day when the most Messed Eucharist had its beginnings in your midst, the faith flourished amongst your people, chanty has shown bloom and blossom, the light of truth has touched the minds with its pure splendour, and good works, once begun, have grown-to be the adornment of religion, which is the strength of every properly constituted staff ""With these thoughts in mind, his Holiness earnestly desires the merits and joys of increasing virtue for you prelates, priests, and faithful assembled for this centenary celebration, and, asking for you heavenly graces, Imparts toVou as a pledge of his affection the apostolic Benediction.

REMARKABLE SCENES OF DEVOTION

I CATHEDRAL CROWDED FOR MEN'S SERVICE AUCKLAND, February 27. Amazing scenes were witnessed at St Patrick's Cathedral this morning when nearly 2000 men members' of the w«it Name Society thronged the Sfthedral the Mass and General CommSon. Long before the appointed Si™ 7-30 a.m., long Queues formed St from the doors and hundreds wire unable to gain admission. The Sering proved one of the most.spectacular seen at a religious gathering at Auckland and it formed a remarkable demonstration of faith by the m The celebrant of the Mass was Bishop Liston, assisted by the Rev. Fathers P T B McKeefry and J. O'Reilly as chaplains. During the offertory the cathedral reverberated with the strains of the stirring hymn of the Holy Name Society. Every doorway and porch and all the aisles of the building were densely packed with men, and every available area in the transepts was An eloquent sermon was preached bv the Very Rev. Father W. V. McEvoy 0.P., director of the Holy Name Society for New Zealand and Austra-1 lia He urged the men to remain steadfast in their adherence to the obiects of the society, that they might be strengthened to bear any trials which social changes in the future fhlght inflict on the Church, ' ,