CHURCH CENTENARY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 81, 4 March 1938, Page 2

CHURCH CENTENARY

ARCHBISHOP VISITS COLLEGE. ENTHUSIASTICRECEPTIONS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 2. Greeted at one by cheering lines of schoolboys, who later made a most impressive declaration of iaitli, and at the other with full military honours, the Apostolic Delegate (Archbishop Panico) took part to-day in two functions. The first was a visit to the Sacred Heart College of the Marist Brothers and the second a reception on board the French cruiser Jeanne d’Arc. Doth were extremely impressive. Long before the arrival of the representative of His Holiness the Pope at the college the schoolboys were ranged as a guard of honour that extended along Richmond Road and round the drive entrance, and every car that arrived was greeted with prolonged cheering. At the gate the visitors were greeted by the director (Rev. Brother Borgia) and the Provincial of tile Marist Brothers (Rev. Brother lienignus). * It was a triumphant entry for the Apostoiic Delegate through the long line of cheering, flag-waving boys. He walked down the drive accompanied by Bishop Liston and by the two brothers, to be greeted at the dais erected in the sports field by a further enthusiastic reception from hundreds of old boys and others who had gathered there. Speeches of welcome were delivered by Brothers Borgia and Benignus, and by the president of the old boys’ association (Mr J. McD. Coleman) but the epic moment of the gathering came following the speech of welcome by the head prefect, P. Curry, in which he spoke of the debt of gratitude of the boys to the church and to the Marist Brothers. The visit of the Apostolic Delegate would encourage the boys in titfiir duty of carrying on the faith during coming generations. He then called on the boys, who followed him in the following entliusiastice declaration :—- “Long live Christ the King. We piomise to be His loyal and faithful subjects until death. We promise obedience, reverence and love to our Holy Father, the Pope. We promise to be staunch and fearless Catholics. We promise to be true to our noble Catholic traditions and, if need be, to die for the faith. Long live the Pope! Long live the Apostolic Delegate! Long live Bishop Liston!” The boys then gave prolonged cheers for each of the visitors in turn. Archbishop Panico, in reply, paid a tribute to the Marist Brothers, three of whom had accompanied Bishop Pompallier on his initial voyage to this country to found the mission. He was not surprised at the wonderful demonstrations of faith witnessed that day and on preceding days, for the soil of New Zealand had been sanctified by the blood of Marist Brother martyrs. He was much impressed with the work of Sacred Heart College, and the place its old pupils had found in civic and religons life. Its products were good citizens and good Catholics. All present then knelt to receive the Apostolic blessing. Following this visit Archbishop Panico was received on board the French cruiser, where he and other prelates were the guests of the commander at luncheon.