BRILLIANT PAGEANT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 77, 28 February 1938, Page 11

BRILLIANT PAGEANT

CATHOLIC CENTENARY. OPENING AT AUCKLAND. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 27. The' Auckland Harbour, bathed in Summer morning sunshine, was a brilliant setting tor the arrival of His Excellency, the Apostolic Delegate (Archbishop J. Panico) and a large delegation of prelates And clergy on Saturday for the New Zealand Homan Catholic centenary celebrations. Escorted by aeroplanes and a fleet of fishing vessels, the Waiiganella presented a majestic spectacle as she moved up to the wharf, where a stiring ovation to the visitors was given by the assembled crowds. After a spectacular procession through streets lined by waving, cheering children and people, a formal welcome with elaborate religious ritual was given to the Apostolic Delegate by the Catholic hierarchy clergy and people of New Zealand in St. Patrick s Cathedral. In the afternoon His Excellency met the clergy and laity at a garden party at the Sacred Heart Convent, Remuera, and in the evening attended acentenary concert presented at the Town Hall by 700 children from Catholic schools. At Pontifical High Mass, which was the official opening of the centenary at St. Patrick’s Cathedral this morning, the splendour of the Roman Catholic ritual was seen in a setting unusually brilliant. A special centenary .message from Cardinal Paecelli, (Papal Secretary of State) was read at the Mass. In the afternoon His Excellency was present at the opening session of the first National Congress in New Zealand of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Solemn vespers and benediction were held at 7 p.m., His Excellency presiding. At the conclusion of the service the Apostolic Delegate, prelates and clergy attended a mass meeting of the New Zealand Council of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. >