SISTERS OF MERCY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 139, 9 December 1931, Page 11

SISTERS OF MERCY

CENTENARY OF OEDEE

RECORD OF SERVICE

OCCASION CELEBRATED

The Catholic Church in Now Zealand joins with other countries of tho world this week in celebrating the centenary of (he Order of tho Sisters of Mercy, whose organisation has grown from the modest efforts of one woman in Dublin to become a. vast movement embracing charity and Christian good works. In the various centres of the Dominion celebrations have been arranged, for the work of the Sisters of, Mercy is widespread in this country in the educational and social spheres. Schools, orphanages; homes, and boys and girls' colleges are established in various parts of the country. Some of the most notable examples are to be found in and near Wellington, where the head house of the order for Now Zealand is at St. Mary's Convent, Hill, street. In addition to the girls' college at Hill street, a remarkably iino work is being performed at tho orphanage at Upper Hutt, where more . than 200 children are cared for, at St. Thomas's Homo for boys at Nai Nai, Lower Hutt, and at Nelson, whore another line j orphanage is established. Tho order was founded by a saintly 'woman, Mother Catherine MAuley, whose initial effort in Dublin is now among the foremost iv advancing Catholic activities.

Xo the sisters und tin: whole Catholic community the centenary possesses great interest, und it is impossible to estimate what the institute has done for the Catholic Church iv tho past 100 years. Mother Catherine JM'Auky, the foundress, has Jcft tho impress of her saintly life and remarkable organising powers on her Order, and her noble memory is especially honoured in this centenary year. Tim eventful history'of the institute is a continual inspiration to the sisters and ii source of justified pride to tho Catholic community. A review ol' the 100 years or1 foundation shows that the institute has prospered and has been richly endowed with God's blessings. IN NEW ZEALAND. Seventy years have passed since the first party of Sisters of Mcrey was brought by Bishop Pompallier to this country to begin their work in a humble building at Auckland. To-day there are more than 200 sisters working in the Wellington archdiocese alone, spreading the work so well begun by the first handful of Christian pilgrims. In honour of the occasion, solemn Pontifical High .Mass was celebrated iv the Ltasilica, Wellington, yesterday j morning. His Gruci; Archbishop O'Shca was the celebrant, und a choir of about '100 specially children sang the Gregorian Mass, under the conductors-hip of Mr. Ernest .Tenner. There were -0 visiting priests present, and a largo number of sisters came from tho city and suburbs to attend the Mass. | His Grace Archbishop Ecdwood delivered a brief address upon the ideals and achievements of the Order, and said ho had joined with many other bishops throughout the world in asking that the foundress of tho Order should bo canonised. The members of the clergy were entertained in the assembly hall of tho new college by tho' Superioress and Sisters. On Saturday, which is the actual centenary of the Order's foundation, a special Mass will be celebrated for'the Sisters in the chapel at the Hill Street Conv.cn Iv ...... ~ : ;■.-. . THE POPE'S GREETINGS. Tho Sisters have received a letter from the Secretary of State to His Holiness the Pope, conveying through the Apostolic Dolegato at Sydney the Holy father's, greetings. It reads: — Vatican, 19th September, 1931. Your Excellency,— "Tho Holy Father hns heard of the near approach of the celebration of the first centenary of tho foundation of tho Sistors of Mercy. Through Your Excellency he wishes that there should be conveyed to them the warm exprossion of the paternal feelings of satisfaction and gratitude which the Common Father of the Faithful deems an Institute of so many and invaluable activities absolutely worthy. "His Holiness is indeed not at all unaware of tho great blessings that the good Sisters of Mercy confer on Australia and Now Zealand by ' their numerous schools, hospitals, and orphanages and beneficent institutions of'other kinds. Above all, he knows tho Spirit of' Charity which renders their work so highly efficiont and gives so much edification to all.

"Happy then on such a solemn occasion to bo able to confirm His August Approbation of this well-deserving Institute, the Holy rather heartily unites himself to the joy of these diligent labourers in the mystical vineyard. While ho hopes—indeed he is sure —that tho auspicious celebration will be for them a new stimulus to uphold the grand traditions of their noble name and of their evangelical programme, he invokes upon them an abundance of divine favours and with fatherly affection bestows upon all the religious, their works, their friends and benefactors, and upon thoso who are Tinder their care, tho Apostolic Blessing. "I have much pleasure 111 once more assuring Your Excellency of my sentiments of great • esteem towards yourself, and remain, Your Excellency's humble servant,

(Sgd.) E. CARD. PACELLI,"