SOLEMN REQUIEM MASS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2604, 28 October 1915, Page 3

SOLEMN REQUIEM MASS

FOR DECEASED SOLDIERS,

Solemn Requiem Mass was offered at St. Mary of tho Angels Church, IJoulcott Street, yesterday for the happy reposo of t-lio souls of soldiers who havo, been killed in the present war. The Very Rev. Father O'Connell, the parish priest, was the celebrant, the Rev. leather O'Connor being deacon, and the Rev. Father Smyth sub-dencon, whilo tlio Rov. Father Hurley was master of ceremonies. His Grace Archbishop O'Shea was in the sanctuary, as wcro tlio Von. Archdeacon Devoy, the Very Rev. Dean Smyth, and the Very Rev. Dean Regnault. A choir of tlio city clergy sang the Mass, which was attended by a very large congregation. At tlio close of the Mass, Archbishop O'Shea addressed those present, basing his discourse upon the text: "Greater lovo than this no man hat'li, that a man lay down his life for. his friends." In referring to the sorrow that had como upon so many families by the death of the best and tlio bravest of their sons, His Grace said that the present war was undoubtedly tlio most terrible that liad .fever taken place, but they were all confident that good would coino of it. Tlio recent age had been one of unprecedented prosperity and riches in our Empire, and men had consequently .been inclined to turn away from God and set their minds upon things material. They also were inclined to become soft and effeminate as a result of living in too much ease and, without being called upon to make any great sacrifices. Tlio war would havo a chastening and strengthening influence. Already it was noticeable that men were turning to the spiritual lifo again, and that the great sacriiices they were being called upon to make were bringing out tlio best qualities of the nation. True, many of the best would fall on the battlefields, but the nation would emerge from its just war chastened and strengthened in every way. Tho men who had fallen on the battlefields had indeed laid down their lives for their friends. They had fought ill defence of -thoso privileges which wo had so long enjoyed ar.d in order that we might bo spared the horrors and outrages which followed in the track of war. For those who were mourning the loss of relatives, there wtos consolation in the thought that the meii who fought and died performed an act of the most, perfect charity. Thero oould bo little doubt about their salv*' tion, and while we could sympathise with their families wo could also congratulate them upon the fact that' they wore the relatives not only of heroes but of saints.