CHILDREN’S SERVICE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 82, 5 March 1938, Page 11

CHILDREN’S SERVICE

THOUSANDS PARTICIPATE. CENTENARY MASS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 4. The Roman Catholic centenary celebrations were marred slightly to-day by light showers. The children’s Mass at the Western Springs Stadium was nevertheless a beautiful feature of the functions. Ranged before the big white altar were thousands of children, the girls wearing the white dresses and veils of the Children of Mary or Guide uniform, and the boys in white shirts, blue shorts and blue sashes, or Scout uniform. They made a charming sight. Added to this was the beauty of the Palestrina Mass, sung by a choir of 500 children under Professor Moor Karolv.

Thousands of spectators on the torraces were entranced by the beauty of tho scene as the procession of priests and prelates escorted the Apostolic Delegate to the altar, tho glowing colours of their vestments contrasting strikingly with the green of tho arena and the white and scarlet of the altar. As the solemn Pontifical Mass was said by Archbishop Murray, of St. Paul, Minnesota, the voices of the children rose sweet and clear, making a memorable impression on the listeners. The sermon was preached by Rt. Rev. Dr Parrel Iy (Coadjutor Bishop of Lismore), who spoke of tho love of Christ and of the Church for children, and urged those present to devote themselves to the propagation of the faith by example of their own lives. As he was speaking a light shower of rain fell, hut the children remained in their places, though some of the spectators sought the shelter of the trees. It soon passed, however, and the Mass was continued without interruption.