MESSAGE FROM POPE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22341, 3 March 1938, Page 12

MESSAGE FROM POPE

APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION

GIVEN

LOYALTY AND DEVOTION

ACKNOWLEDGED

(P»ES9 ASSOCIATION TELEQBAM.)

AUCKLAND, March 2,

The following cablegram from his Holiness Pope Pius XI was received by his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate (the Most Rev. J. Panico):"The august Pontiff is profoundly touched by your message of loyalty and P devotion. He sends from his heart to the archbishop, bishops clergy religious, and faithful assembled under the presidency of the Apostolic Delegate his paternal Apostolic Benediction If a pledge of abundant blessings on the Church in New Zealand.—Cardinal Pacelli, Secretary of State.

DECLARATION OF FAITH

STRIKING CEREMONIES AT AUCKLAND

APOSTOLIC DELEGATE'S VISIT TO COLLEGE

(PSESB ASSOCIATION TBLBGRA.M.)

AUCKLAND, March 2.

Greeted at the one by the cheering lines of schoolboys, who later made a most impressive declaration of faith, and at the other witk full military honours, the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop PanicoT took part to-day in two impressive ceremonies. The first was a visit to the Sacred Heart College of the Marist Brothers, and the second a reception on board the French cruiser, Jeanne D'Arc. . Long before the arrival of the representative of his Holiness the Pope at the college, the schoolboys were ranged as a guard of honour that extended along Richmond road andround the entrance, and every car that arrived was greeted with prolonged ch.66rinff« j At the gate the visitors were greeted by the director, the Rev. Brother Borgia, and the Provincial of the Marist Brothers, the Rev. Brother Benignus. It was a triumphant entry tor the Apostolic Delegate through a long line of cheering, flag-waving boys. HP walked down the drive accompanied by Bishop Liston ana by two Brothers to be greeted at the dais erected in the sports field by a further enthu-' astic reception from hundreds of oW boys and others who had gathered There followed then speeches of welcome delivered by Brothers Borgi? and Benignus, and by the president o f the Old Boys' Association, Mr J. McD Coleman. A speech of welcome was given by the head prefect P- Curry, in which he spoke of the debt of gratitude of the boys to the Church and to the Marist Brothers. The visit of the Apostolic Delegate would encourage the boys in their duly of carrying on the faith during the coming generations, he said. Curry then called on the boys, who followed him in the following enthusiastic declaration:

Long live Christ the King. We promise to be His loyal and faithful subjects until death: we promise obedience, reverence, and love to our Holy Father the Pope; we promise to be staunch and fearless Catholics; we promise to be true to our noble Catholic traditions, and if need be, to die for the faith. Long live the Pope, long live the Apostolic Delegate, long live Bishop Liston. The boys then gave prolonged cheers for each of the visitors in turn. Archbishop Panico, in reply, paid: tribute to the Marist Brothers, three j of which had accompanied Bishop Pompallier on his initial voyage to this country to found the mission. He was not surprised at the wonderful demonstrations of faith witnessed that day and on preceding days for the soil of New Zealand had been sanctified by the blood of the Marist ■ Brothers martyrs. He was much im- I pressed with the work of the Sacred «j Hea»t College and the place its old pupils had found in civic and religious life. Its products were good citizens and good Catholics. All present then knelt to receive the Apostolic Blessing. Following this visit Archbishop Panico was received on board the French cruiser, where he and other prelates were the guests of the commander at luncheon.