POPE’S FELICITATIONS.

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

POPE’S FELICITATIONS.

OTHER GOODWILL MESSAGES. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 27. A solemn moment during the Solemn Pontificial High Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral was the reading of a message to Archbishop O’Shea from Cardinal Pacelli (Cardinal Secretary of State) in which the Pope extended felicitations to New Zealand Catholics on the completion of 100 years'of their faith in the Dominion. “The Holy Father,” the message adds, “is eager to share your joy and that of other bishops and all who bear the Catholic name in your beloved land. He lifts up his voice to God for this, that ever since that distant day when the most blessed Eucharist had its beginning in your midst the faith hgs flourished among your people, the light of truth has touched minds with its pure splendour and good works once begun have grown to be an adornment of the religion which is a strength of every properly constituted state. With these thoughts in mind His Holiness earnestly desires the merits and joys of increasing virtue for you, the prelates, priests and faithful assembled for this centenary celebration and is asking for you heavenly graces. He imparts to you as a pledge of His affection his Apostolic benediction.”

Felicitations and affectionate greetings from the Cardinal Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of Ireland, and other Catholic dignitaries were read by Bishop Liston during his address at St. Patrick’s Cathedral to-day. “As a mother participating in the triumphs of her children we are united with you whole-heartedly in your rejoicings,” said the cardinal in a letter to the bishop. “Truly it can be Said that the church in New Zealand was begotten and nurtured by the Irish faith and Irish missionary zeal. Our ancestors carried the faith first given them by St. Patrick to many parts of Europe, to England, Scotland, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. There are many epic tales of their self-sacrifice, their labours, their sufferings and their achievements in the cause of Christ, but we do not know any story that is more appealing or which better illustrates the marvellous fidelity and virtue of the. Irish Catholic laity than that of Thomas Poyntoh and his heroic wife.” _ His Eminence concluded with the wish that the cententary celebrations in Auckland should he as similarly successful as those of the recently celebrated 15th centenary of the Catholic Church in Ireland.