EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 110, 2 February 1940, Page 10

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

Opening Ceremonial

CRUSADE OF PRAYER

FOR PEACE

Addresses By Papal Legate And Archbishop

With all the splendour ol the oreat ceremonial occasions of the Catholic Church, the New Zealand National Eucharistic Congress, which in the words of the Most Rev. Thomas O’Shea. Archbishop of Wellington and Metropolitan of New Zealand, is to be a crusade of prayer for an early and just peace to save religion and” civilization from one of the most vital blows aimed at them, was opened at the congress grounds, St. Patrick s College, Wellington, yesterday. The greatest assemblage of Catholic dignitaries in the century of the history of the church in New Zealand was present, as well as more than 8000 of the laity, at the Solemn Pontifical Mass with which the congress was opened. The day was brilliantly hue and the scene one of magnificence, spiritual and material. From the altar high above the grounds the Papal Legate, archbishops, bishops and monsignori in their brilliant robes and vestments, the priests in their black soutanes and whitelaced surplices, the altar boys in red cassocks and white surplices, looked down on a vast congregation. The rise on each side of the steps ascending to the altar provided a natural ampitheatre on which many people clustered and on the flat area of the congress grounds there was no space that was not filled with Catholic laity and religious. . The sun-bathed hills in the distance were a natural contribution to the effect. Amplifiers carried the words of the Legate and Archbishop O'Shea, the celebrant of the Mass, the Most Rev. Janies Liston. D.D.. Catholic Bishop of Auckland, the choir of boys, sopranos and altos, and the choir of priests who chanted parts of the Mass to the farthest corners of the grounds and beyond. 300 In Procession. More than 250 clergy and 50 altar boys took part in the procession to the altar, among them clergy from every part of New Zealand, and from Australia. the Pacific Islands, China, Syria, and the United States. Marists, Redemptorists. Franciscans, Dominicans, Vincentians, ami seculars marched together in this impressive spectacle, heading the ecclesiastical dignitaries in their colourful scarlet, robes. Ti'.e Legate was the central figure and then came the Archbishop of Brisbane. Most Rev. James Duhig, D.D., Archbishop O'Shea. Most Revs. Edmund Gleeson, D.D., Bisho]) of Maitland, New South Wales. Thomas Fox, D.D., Bishop of AVileannia-Forbes. Al. JBrodie. 1).!).. Bishop of Christchurch, and James AVliyte, D.D., Bishop of Dunedin. In the same part of the procession wore the monsignori. The master of ceremonies for the Mass was Hie Rev. A. Robinson. S.M., assistant priest, Right Rev. Monsignor .Ormond, deacon, Rev. 11. Courteney, sub-deacon. Rev. IL Hyde, deacons at the throne of the Legato, Rev. D. James Kennedy and Rev. Dr. L. T. Buxton. The choirs were conducted by Hie Rev. Dr. F. AValsli, and .Air. Maxwell Ferule was organist. Monsignor King and Dr. Hannan and Messrs. P. I). Hoskins and B. .McCarthy, Papal knights, were in attendance at. the throne of the Legate.

The procession concluded mid the clergy having taken their place, tlie Very’ Rev. Dr. Janies 11. Hannan read in Lutin and then in English tlie autograph letter from the Pope to Archbishop Pauico authorizing him to act as Legate. This letter stated that the Holy See had no doubt that as the result of this great celebration in honour of tlie Most Holy Eucharist :i Hood of piety and fervour would surge over New Zealand, stimulating all ranks ami phases of Christian lite. Archbishop O'Shea and Die Papal Legate then gave their addresses. Great Day for Capital.

“This is a great day for Wellington and for New Zealand.” said Archbishop O'Shea. Despite war difficulties, they had been able to open the Congress, though it would lie deprived of some of its external splendour because of tlie absence of distinguished clergy and laity from overseas who had been prevented from attendance by war. But their blessed Lord was present and the Papal Legato as representative of the Vicar of Christ. Even before becoming Pope bis Holiness had been interested in the Congress. The late Pop.. Pius N 1 had said to him in Rome: "I would like very much to go to Wellington in 11HD. but tlie clock is going too fast.” Three months later God called Pius N 1 to Himself. Pius Nil had confirmed the promise previously made to appoint Cardinal Ilinsley. of Westminster, as Papal Legale, bui the war prevented this being fulfilled. So the Pope did . what lie believed Io lie a most unusual tiling by appointing tlie Apostolic Delegate in Sydney to act as his Legate at the Congress. with all tin' powersand honours of I liis exalted position. His Grace welcomed Monsignor Ramm, representative of tlie Archbishop of San Francisco, who would have been present but for tlie war. Legate's Address.

"In the august mime of the Sovereign Pontiff, whose Legate 1 am in your midst. I thank your Grace for your noble sentiments expressed on behalf of all entrusted to your pastoral care.” tlie Papal l.egate said. “Through the exalted commission which 1 have the honour Io fullil. the Holy Father unites Himself with you on tlieoccasion of your grand celebrations which are destined to have a favoured place in Hie annals of your country. No more touching and impressive words of paternal sympathy could have been written for your commemoration than those which, as you already know, comprise that venerated autograph letter from tlie hand of the Holy Father announcing my appointment to this event.

"This unity of tlie Supreme Pastor with ins childj’eii is no innovation. By Apostolic Brief on July 3. I.SGO. Wellington received from his Holiness its first Bishop. Eighty years later, a Papal Legate, standing in Illis hallowed spot, hears witli a heart tilled witli joy your proclamation of veneration and homage to the Supreme Pastor.

These affirmations of your firm allegiance I will make known to the Holy Father, and they will give him great solace in these difficult days of his Pontificate. "Though far removed by 'distance from the venerable successor to the Chair of Peter, you are still closely bound to Hie paternal heart of the Father of Christendom. Your beloved Archbishop has very touchingly quoted, as proof of this vital truth, the assuiances of our late illustrious Pontiff when graciously consenting to Hie appoint,ment of a Papal Legate to your Congress. Later, Hie reigning Pontiff benevolently manifests his own good will toward the Church in New Zealand. by confirming the promise of his memorable predecessor as announced in his august letter opening the sacred ceremonies of this historic event. "Strength and comfort for you devoted people in this young Dominion are contained in that letter of glowing tenderness from tbe visible liea'd of tbe Church on earth. It shows that an ample knowledge of the heroic deeds of the Catholic pioneers of your fatherland stimulates the pulse of the Pontiff's heart in their remembrance, and moves his Holiness to approve of the jealous care you have bestowed upon your spiritual inheritance. AVhat sweet recollections are mingled with lhe honourable names of the founders of Hie Church in your lovely land. "No need of designate them or their works. AVith pride you can recall them, since their names and deeds are cmblazone'd in your records. But while with reverence 1 pay this tribute to our Christian pioneers, I incline with feelings of admiration to his Grace of AVellington—to his faithful priests and religious—to the loyal people and their children, for the high achievements of their own day. Open Doors of Church. “You have built and are sustaining the Church which stands so close to the busy pathways of life and movement, a sileiit. symbol of tilings that are eternal. Its open doors welcome the pilgrim. Within those portals is hidden from view the tired wayfarer. In the presence of bis Eucharistic Lord he can kneel in prayer anil implore the Lord of Light Io illumine his soul amid the darkness of the infidelity of tbe modern world.

"With tlie prayer of the prophet falling from the lips, 'Thou. O Lord, art among ns and Thy Name is called upon by us? forsake us not’ (Jer. xiv. 8), you, loyal priests and people of Wellington, can turn witli renewed spirit to fullil the work of your Christian destiny. Your colleges and hails for higher education have long since won their renown and are a monument of the saintly labours of tlie present, as well as past generations. Your schools, wherein the lambs of Christ’s Hock arc nurtured in those doctrines which are for their eternal salvation, have been raised up, and are being maintained and developed witli a generosity which shall turn I lie material sacrifices of von pious people into a deep spiritual joy. Tlie magnificent institutions for 'the orphan. I lie sick, the infirm, and afflicted stand as a testament to your everlasting credit and may be regarded as the choicest immortelles in the garden of your soul. "Over half a century ago your own historian wrote of tlie announcement that the diocese of Wellington had lieen raised Io an archbishopric these memorable words which I now quote for your exultation:— ••■When, therefore, tlie Church in New Zealand receives an elevation and obtains from the Holy See a mark in approval of its growth and progress we go back in thought to that ancient Church on whose foundations it also stands, and give thanks to God for - the lidelity of our race and the marvels He has wrought through it in His Holy Name.’ Desire for Peace. “With that well-merited acclamation 1 offer you heartfelt congratulations on your great achievements during the past century, praying that God may deign to Idess ■ you abundantly in the years Ilia I are to come. A pledge of (hese blessings. 1 am sure, will be this eiiciinristie congress, the solemn opening of which nt this moment is taking place. -I share witli your venerated archbishop the pious hope that this ‘united and public act of homage to tlie World's Redeemer’ will lie. in truth, a •crusade of prayer.’ 1 entreat you, in your frequent reception of Holy Communion throughout the congress, to implore Our Lord to hasten the day when (lie dove of peace may find on this earlli, submerged in a deluge of discord. somewhere Io alight, and to place your complete trust in God Almighty. “I give you Hie wish expressed by the Holy Father in his august autograph letter: 'As a result of this great celebration in honour of tlie most Holy Eucharist, may a lloodtide of piety and fervour surge over New Zealand, stimulating all ranks and phases of Christian life.”