THE CATHOLIC MISSION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3037, 21 March 1881, Page 3

THE CATHOLIC MISSION.

The mission services yesterday at which Father Le Mennant preached were largely attended, St. Mary's Church on each occasion being crowded.

At High Mass the missionary preached on St. Joseph, taking for his text the words " Thou shalt be in everlasting remembrance," the sermon being principally a defence of the reason why Catholics in their prayers aßk for the intercession of the saints in Heaven, and why they placethemselves under the protection of the angels aud saints. It waß an earnest, clear, and explicit avowal of the belief of Catholics with regard to the homage which they pay to the angels and saints, and particularly to St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary, and seemed to make a deep impnssion on the congregation.

In the afternoon a procession took place in honor of tie Most Holy Sacrament, arranged as fellows :—Little girls, dressed in white ani red, with wreaths, and bearing a scrdl banner on which were the words " Sifter little children to come unto me;" tin Children of Mary in their regalia (whiteand blue), preceded by their banner ; tie confraternity of the Sacred Heart, attiied in red and white, with their banner : the lady members of the Living Rosary, with banner; the ladies of the congregation ; the boys, wearing sashes, &«., and carrying bannerettes; the mali members of the congregation ; the Hibernian Society, in regalia ; the gentfcmen members of the Living Rosary ; allowed by a number of young girls, tfho strewed flowers in front of the Saired Host, which came

next, borne by Father Sou'lis tinder a canopy carried by four gentlemen. The Revs. Father Forest, Le Mennant, and Mulvihill were also present. The procession, after leaving the church, wended its way through the Convent grounds, and from thence around the hill back to the church. In the square of the convent the procession halted, and benediction Was given. The ladies and girls were marshalled by the Sisters, and Brother Joseph performed a similar duty for the gentlemen. Along the route a number of sacred objects and texts of Scripture were met with, and the boys and girls alternately sang some beautiful hymns. On returning to the church benediction was again given, after which the congregation dispersed. After "Vespers Father Le Mennant delivered a sermon on bad company, directing his remarks to both old and young, rich and poor, and urging the absolute necessity, cost what it may, of keeping evil companions at a distance, and maintaining the social and domestic status inviolable. He gave some practical illustrations of how the first evil step is taken, and of bow, when taken, it is continued, and pointed out the course which was to be pursued to avoid sin, which was to love and fear God, to be good citizens of the State by obeying properly constituted authority, to control our passions, and by avoiding everything which would tend to make us break tbe laws of God and of the country in which we live. The church was crowded, and the rev. gentleman was listened to with great interest. At the request of Father Forest the mission wil be continued to-day and tomorrow, and Father Le Mennant will leave for Wellingtonj.where he opens a mission, on Wednesday morning. The church presented a very pretty appearance yesterday, the high altar and the side altars being beautifully decorated with flowers, &c.