MARIST CELEBRATIONS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3187, 11 September 1917, Page 7

MARIST CELEBRATIONS

TOWN HALL GATHERING TRIBUTES TO DEVOTED TEACHERS . The Marist Brothers' Centenary celebrations in Wellington were continued last evening, when a grand conversazione was held in tlio Town Hall. There were about 8000 people present, and the gathering was enthusiastic throughout. Mr. JT. J. Crombie, who presided, said it was worthy of, remark that in 100 years the Order hud grown from a small beginning in a parish in Franco to almost .world-wide influence. Speaking us an old boy of ono of the Marist schools in Wellington, he congratulated the brothers on the work they had done hero, jnnd expressed gratitude to them for the good tbey had done. The teaching of tlio brothers had a fine influenco on (he life, particularly the Catholic life, of tho.community. Every, year numbers of tho boys went out of tho schools into, tho world trained to faco lifo with religion as a basis. It .was important (hat (he teaching orders should have all (he help the Catholic people could givo them. Tho big gathering that evening showed that the community appreciated tho work of the brothers, and were dolorminod lo do what they could to further (heir efforts. ,Tho brothers as teachers moro than hold 'up their end. Tho old boys assured them of their continued loyalty, and hoped that the Order would long bo spared .lo carry on its work in guiding tho destinies of youth.

Praise From the Archbishops. Archbishop Redwood said tho large gathering showed that tho work of tho brothers was highly appreciated. Ono hundred years ago Iho Ordor had been founded by Father Ghampagnct. It was then but a humble sapling; to-day it was a great tree spreading over tho earth. Similar celebrations to those in progress in Wellington would, no doubt, be held in all parts of the world—even in China and India. A letter ho had received' recently described tho growth of the work of tho brothers in China, where the advancement was such that there, were now a number of Chinese brothers. .His Grace said that the work tho brothers had done in New Zealand was. excellont. In Wellington the brothers had always given him the greatest. satisfaction, and that observation would be endorsed by' his clergy. He looked. forward with confidence to even greater things to come.

Archbishop ' O'Shoa congratulated tho Order on having completed one hundred years of existence. Ho had had the privilege of receiving somo of his own education in one of their schools. It was a great thing for a body of men to be able to look back on 100 years ot life as an association, but it was a still greater thing to look back on 100 years of work. done for the benefit of the human race. What grander work could men consecrate" their lives to? If education was important in the formation of character, the Marist Brothers were doing sublime work, for they were giving the only education worthy of the namo. Christian education trained men. to adhere to principles in life, and it' wns only by having a large number of men of principle that it would bo possible to have peace and prosperity in the 'world. And when the peaco -uf tho world was broken, who, wero tho bravest lin war time? The product of the Christian schools. : .

Tributes by Wellington and Cromwell. Speaking in the House of lords on Catholic emancipation, thoiDuko of .Wellington had said that half of tho army with, which ho won Waterloo was Catholic, and that without Catholic valour no victory conld havo been attained, and the best .military'- talent might-have been exerted in vain. Another, who was no friend of. Catholics, Oliver Cromwell, had said that his soldiers needed to be like the Catholic Irish. Thcso traits were again manifest during the struggle of to-day. ■ Tho Marist Brothers nad taken a largo part in tho training of as fino a body of men as ever left the shores of any land. On Gallipoli and in I'Yanco thoso uiou had won renown. The bravest brothers .had done their duty as fully as any other class of mon in this war—(prolonged applause)—and in everything olsu that was of benefit to the land.

Mr. -W. T. Jennings, 11.1'., expressed appreciation'of tho work of the Marist Brothel's, and. urged that the brothers Bhould bo given all the assis'tanco that could be .rendered them.

Mr. P. .1. O'ltegan paid a glowing tribute to the work of the Jlariat Brothers, and said that their results were.a wonderful tributo to them.

Brother Denis, Provincial of tho Order, 6aid that tho gathering was one that was very cheering'to tho brothers, and an encouragement to theni to continuo their work. Ho said that much of the success of the brothere' schools was duo to the help given by Archbishop- Kedttood, and stated that the brother? were greatly indebted to Archbishop O'Sliea for tho assistance he had given them in their present difficulty. Ho thanked tho: old boys of tho Marist tchools for their part in the celebrations, and thanked the parents of tho children for ihe help which had always been given the brothers. '. •

Thei following entertainment ' programme was rendered during tho evening:—Chorus, "Erin, Beautiful' Erin/' choirs of Marist Brothers' schools; duet, "Has Sorrow Thy Young Days. Shaded,' Miss" Nellie-'.Strickland, and Mr. K. Sievers; vocal solo, "Sunshine and .. Rain ' (Bleumenthal), ■ Master Edward .'Quill, M.8.5., Newtown; vocal march, "To Victory" (Brarawell), select choir; M.8.5., Thorndoh; • "Some- Scotch," Master Winston M'Cai'thy; band selection, "Gems of Erin,'-' M.8.5.,' Newtown, Drum and Fife Band; chorus, "God Defend New Zealand," combined choirs of M.B. schools. The accompanist was Mr. Gordon . ' .