THE CATHOLIC CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 645, 23 October 1909, Page 10

THE CATHOLIC CONGRESS

' "'AN EFFECTIVE DISPLAY OF !"•■''': % Mr. J. J, Devine.) I ,3m third Aiistralasian Catholic Congress, at Sydney at tho oXof n5 Kt?''u' f ™ fc a 1 ovent of national import- ' fcSw i* t.' lo Chamber of Commerce Congress [ neld there just previously, was at least a gaiheri li£ °f immense prestige and influence. It held • fhl n i"? of a . vcr y considerable number of tho population of Australia for a week-its ! .J™,. 8 snd5 nd ? X ° S ™B ceremonies, various ses- | sions, and social and other functions, occupyi }"S. ?° smnl > Portion of the columns and picI „""' HPy* "-o Sydney daily and weekly , nS{.'2? P\ C , ath ?i lc P° rtion ° f the «>mE?£ J ° f ,, Aust ra'ia it was a notable- manifes- ' St,"' t i e,r """lyrical strength, intellectual ' SP' eto -' \ nd , of tho " nit y which prevails amongst tlieir prelates, priests, and people. Toi non-Cntholics it was an effective tl'?^*?.',- he so , h <larity which exists amongst 1.1 i&? Im 2 °f Australasia. The occasion enabled the Catholics of the smaller centres of : tho Commonwealth and the Dominion and of the outposts, of the Church in remoto parts liko «ow Caledonia and New Guinea, to get in touch with the sources of strength of their coreligionists m the groat centres of this new province of tho Church, and of Sydney's marvellous Catholic activities. h. n P v ol !? ress was composed of all classes of tne Catholic community, prelates, priests, secu' lar and regular politicians, medical, legal, and - other professional men, educationists, merchants, working men, and a large representation oi 7 women. Every organisation of Catholic utility, chanty, and benevolence was represented, and exhibited their activities and purposes, and by conference and discussion were enabled to co-ordinate their efforts so as to further extend their utilities to meet newer or more specific needs. Apart from dogma and apologetics, which wore largely and ably dealt with in, suitablo Papers, the Congress made manifest, the fertility of Catholic ideals and principles in philosophy, science, literature, and: art. Thoro ■ must havo-been over eighty papers read, prepared by ecclesiastics as well as by laymen, and women, eminent in their respective professions and callings, whilst dealing with subjects,- many of which wero highly scientific. Tho papers were not all technical or academic in their language, and were attentively listened to and subsequently freely discussed. Many of the papers were not r f a< J, m fu ". owing to the inexorable ruling of the- cardinal aud other chairmen of the several sessions of tho congress, that not more than 20 minutes should bo occupied in tho reading of any one paper, which rule applied m ,™ ry many cases to the chairman himself, whether he were a cleric or a layman. The Pap*" were by writers from America, Ireland; and Jtome as well, as all over Australasia. J. hey wore classified under sections, and wero read at three sessions, hold each day during tho week. Some of such sessions being held simultaneously at various colleges and other institutions. Tho cardinal was tho great central figure of the congress, and though in his 80th year presided at several of tho sessions and read several papers. There has perhaps novor been a more impressive, inspiring, and triumphant ceremonial carried out in Australia than the openini ceremony of the congress at St. Mary's Cathe dral on Snnday, September 26. For an'hou or two that morning tho streets of Sydnc wero invaded by Catholics making their wa ; to the cathedral. It was packed in ever part. ■ Thousands, however, could hot gaii admittance to tho vast edifice—the crowd out side extended across the street and on to tin terraces of Hyde Park, all anxious to at leas catoh a glimpse of the procession, if they couU not gain admission to tho cathedral. Th< procession that wound into the cathedral am up tho aisle was a great pageant. It includec in its ranks as a vanguard about a dozen gen u , em . en i composing papal chamberlains, knighti of bt. Gregory, and consular agents, resplendom hi their insignia of office ribbons and uniforms I hen,, followed tho cardinal in his brillinni scarlet .robes, held up by pages, followed agair by about, a,dozen: arohbishons and bishops it tneir-purple robes; then, monkignorie, andaboui two< hundred priests,, in blaok and white amongst .-.whom were interspersed Jesuits, Vicontians, Dominicans, Franciscans, and othci representatives of the regular clergy, in their various habits, sombre and,otherwise. The iorgan:;pealed';out,'ahd 250 voices'.in tho choil sanr-a-.hyjmi of praisoas the procession moved up.the.aisle. /During.tho High lloss tho choir rendered Sir.'Charles Villiers Stanford's Mass (first heard in Australia;im this occasion, by special; arrangement, with, tho great composer! with full'orchestral accompaniment. Miss Amy Castles .sang tho ." Inilammatus," with organ, .choral,, and orchestral accompaniment.