BACK FROM DUBLIN

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 275, 16 August 1932, Page 10

BACK FROM DUBLIN

Eucharistic Congress PHOENIX PARK CROWD Wellington Man’s Impressions After witnessing the festivities and services in connection with the Eucharistic Congress recently held in Dublin, Mr. William Healey, who was for many years in the service of the Wellington Harbour Board, has returned to Wellington. Mr. Healey journeyed to the Old Country by way of C.anada, and cannot speak too highly of the manner in which he was treated throughout his trip, which, though he has been Home four times, he described as the most enjoyable and comfortable he had ever experienced. He went on from Vancouver by the C.P.R., and at Montreal joined the liner Melita for Belfast. Majestic River. “One of the most delightful trips possible,” said Mr. Healey, “is that trip down the St Lawrence River, and I wonder that more New Zealanders do not go Home that way instead of racing across the States to New York in a railway train and seeing next to nothing.” “For two days after leaving Montreal one sails in calm water down this mighty river, the banks of which are dotted with little French Canadian villages, clustering round the church spire,” said Mr. Healey. “The steamer berths , at Quebec, and the ■ traveller sees the beauties of that historic city, and altogether it was very delightful indeed.” Mr. Healey stayed with his sister at Blessington, County Wicklow, which is only some eighteen miles from Dublin by road, and it was their custom to drive in by car or bus to all the great services held during that memorable week. “Dublin never saw such a sight,” said Mr. Healey. “I know there have been wonderful congresses at Chicago, Sydney and elsewhere, but I don't think there was ever such a grand congress as that held in Dublin. Being in Ireland, a Roman Catholic country, everyone almost was interested in the congress, and everyone lived in the spirit of its purpose, not only In Dublin but throughout the country. For Instance, not only was Dublin decorated in honour of the event but every town and village was decked out to show how much the residents were in keeping with the spirit of the congress. Then, again, Ireland is so near the Continent that there was a greater assemblage of the heirachy, both from Europe and America, than there had ever 'been at any other congress. There was a universality about it that made it unique even in the history of such gatherings. ' Million Worsiiippers. "I shall never forget the scene in Phoenix Park,” continued Mr. Healey. “There must have been a million •people present on the final day. I never saw such a concourse in my life, yet such was the organisation that there was never a hitch from beginning to end. When the service was over we were able to leave our seats and find our car and get right away at half-speed without any trouble. A million people in one spot is a remarkable sight, and to see them kneeling before the High Altar in all reverence and humility was truly a moving spectacle.” Staying with Mr. Healey’s sister at Blessington when Mr. Healey was at Home was Miss Eileen Driscoll, formerly a well-known singer in Wellington, who has been in the Old Country for the last eight or nine years.