IMPRESSIVE SCENE

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 230, 24 June 1932, Page 11

IMPRESSIVE SCENE

Eucharistic Congress OPENING CEREMONY Pro-Cathedral Thronged PAPAL LEGATE’S ORATION By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Rec. June 23, 7 p.m.) Dublin, June 22. ■ At the Dublin this afternoon, Cardinal Lauri, the Papal | Legate, in the name of the Pope, dei clared open the Thirty-first Eucharistic Congress. This is regarded as | one of the greatest events .n treta.i./s i history. i 1 At a given signal all the visiting Cardinals took their places behind the i Legate and his mission. In the procesI sion to the high altar they were followed first by all the visiting archbishops ; and bishops, then by members of the Dublin Metropolitan Chapter. Following the ornate ritual of the opening prayers addresses were delivered by the Archbishop of Dublin, the Bishop of Namur, and finally by the Cardinal Legate, after which there was a declaration of hemage and loyalty to the Pope. | The actual opening of the congress was splendidly impressive. The ProCathedral had been tastefully decorated. Dignitaries and visiting clergy comprised nine-tenths of the congregation. Thus only a few tickets were left for laymen apart from pressmen, and fewer still were available for women. | K Memorable Scene. | The scene looking toward the high altar, when the Papal Legate, the Cardinals and Prelates had taken their places with an orange light focused on them like a lime-lighted theatre, will long be memorable. Immediately in front of the prelates were the President of .the Irish Free State Executive | Council, Mr. E. de Valera, and members of the Ministry on one side, and on the other side were the Governor-General, Mr. J. McNeill, Mr. W. T. Cosgrave, and ex-Ministers. Behind these were the Knights of Malta, Knights of St. Gregory, and foreign ministers, all in full regalia, various richly robed papal officials and nobility, including Mr. John McCormack, in the scarlet and gold uniform of the papal court. Behind these were mayors in their robes, and then a solid phalanx of surpliced priests and members of all religious orders. Following the singing of "Ecce Sacerdos,” the Papal letter appointing the Legate was read in Latin and English. Finally the Legate, in English, delivered an oration formally opening the Congress, and concluding with the hope that not only Ireland but all countries would find the eucharist celebrations of the greatest assistance and consolation, of which the whole world at present was greatly in need. The benediction of the blessed sacrament followed, the service closing with the hymn “Faith of Our Fathers.” The blessed sacrament was exposed at night and midnight mass was celebrated in every Roman Catholic church in Dublin. Governor’s Absence from Reception. The Dublin authorities explain that the Governor-General’s absence from Dublin Castle at the reception to the Papal Legate was necessary because his presence at a State function would Involve playing “God Save the King,” at which Mr. E. de Valera and his colleagues would certainly have departed. Therefore Mr. de Valera’s easiest way' out was not to invite Mr. McNeill. Nevertheless, Mr. McNeill and his wife were at the garden party at Blackrock College in the afternoon, where, seeing Mr. de Valera seated in a corner of the enclosure reserved for public dignitaries, they took seats in another corner. Mr. W. T. Cosgrave and his wife occupied a third corner. Neither party took the slightest notice of the other. Thus, while the nations were intermingling in the garden outside the Irish representatives remained isolated within the college quadrangle. BURNING OF CANDLES Prohibition in Rome (Rec. June 23, 10.45 p.m.) Rome, June 23. The Pope’s Vicar-General. Cardinal Salvagglani, has issued an order forbidding the burning of candles before statues and sacred images in churches in the Diocese of Rome. He declares that the burning of candles gives an appearance of superstition and an impression that it is done for gain; it does not contribute to the cleanliness of churches.