MOVING SCENE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 83, 7 March 1938, Page 9

MOVING SCENE

BY CATHOLIC PROCESSION. DEMONSTRATION OF FAITH. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 6. Perhaps the most inspiring religious demonstration ever presented in Auckland was the procession this afternoon of 11,000 members of Catholic societies and schools in varied and picturesque regalia in the final celebration of the Catholic centenary. Arrayed in ranks marching four abreast, the moving pageant took one hour and a quarter to pass the dais in Upper Symomls Street on which Rt. Rev. Dr Liston aml assistant clergy attended the Blessed Sacrament. The route led down Upper Symonds Street and across Grafton Bridge to the Domain, where a huge white cross and altar had been erected for the final ceremony of the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament; Commencing at 2.30 p.m., the procession finished and the component bodies were in position before the altar at 4.30 p.m. A deacon in a dalmatic of white and gold, and bearing a huge crucifix which shone brilliantly in the afternoon sun, led the march. Behind liiin came 2000 girls from tin* Catholic schools, in white dresses and gold sashes and bearing small flags also in white and gold of the Papal col ours. At intervals, fluttering pie turesquely in the wind, were large white and gold banners hearing religious emblems, young women and girls wearing the striking regalia ol a blue cloak and followed by 1000 boys in white with blue sashes, the colours of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The next unit was composed of some 2000 Children of Mary, with, white veils. Members of this unit came from many parts of New Zealand and were arranged in sections according to their district, each section being preceded by its elaborate banner in white and blue, bearing a large picture of the Virgin Mary. In contrast with these, was the | next group of young women wearing white dresses and scarlet cloaks whose banner in red and gold showed that they were a special guard of the Blessed Sacrament. Union Jacks and a large variety of troop flags heralded the approach of some 800 Girl Guides, Cubs, and Boy Scouts. One of the most impressive units of the procession were the men of the Holy Name Society, whoso banners bore symbols of their special pledges of loyalty to their church and their countrv. STIUKI NG UFAIONSTRAT.TON. Some 400 - men of all walks ol life, singing the inspiring hymn, “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name,” marched side by side in a. striking demonstration of faith. No group was more picturesque than the Jugoslav girls in flowing white dresses, scarlet vests and caps, and blue sashes, bearing white crossesThese were followed by a large group of Jugoslav men. Then came a notable group of Catholic Maori men and women in full native costume and bearing an historic flag. The most elaborate banner in the procession was the green and gold symbol of the Hibernians, who wore the special regalia of their society.

A vivid reminder of Catholic loyalty' in the Great War was the marching of some 400 returned soldiers who held the position of special honour in the procession, just, in front of the religious and priests in soutan and white surplice. Immediately' before the Blessed Sacrament a very pretty group of flower girls and pages in white satin, curtseyed at the tinkling of hells to spread flower petals before the approaching canopy' containing the Monstrance in which the Sacred Host was carried by Bishop Liston clad in a cope of white and gold. Around the canopy six candle bearers in large scarlet cloaks formed a special guard of honour. After the canopy' followed the Most Rev. T. O’Shea, Catholic Archbishop of Wellington and Metropolitan of Now Zealand, accompanied by other archbishops and bishops wearing the striking cerise of the episcopal robes. Boys of the Sacred Heart College brought up the rear of the procession.

Thousands of people gathered in the Domain, where a temporary altar stood on a large platform at tho foot of a great white cross more than 30ft in height. A scarlet curtain stretching on either side of the cross and a deep crimson cloth covering the stops of the Sanctuary made brilliant patches of colour against the green background. It would have been hard to imagine a more beautiful sotting for the great religious ceremony. For more than an hour a large choir of nuns occupying nearly all the seats in the grandstand maintained the devotional atmosphere by singing hymns under the direction of Professor MoorKaroly, choirmaster of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the music was amplified by loudspeakers across the ground. Ihe growing crowd, which included thousands of non-Catholics, beliaved with restraint proper to the occasion. Eventually banners moving down the drive showed that the procession was drawing near the Domain. Soon the cross-hearer and his attendants appeared at the northern entrance of the ground, heading a long column of schoolgirls in white dresses and veils. The line slowly made its way to a space before the grandstand, turned and a-dvanced in the direction of the altar. By dividing to the right and left, the procession formed into a series of long, single ranks across an enclosed space with a wide centre aisle. _ Nearly two hours after the procession had started on its way, the Blessed Sacrament, reverently escorted by prelates, priests and laymen, was borne across the ground while the vast concourse of spectators stood or knelt. It was carried through the centre of thousands in the arena and the gold Monstrance was placed upon the altar by Bishop Liston, while trumpets sounded a fanfare and the Papal and New Zealand flags were hoisted on either side. After .a hymn, the Most Rev. Norman Gilroy, Coadjutor Archbishop of Sydney, ascended tho pulpit and conducted Eucharistic devotions, the people making the responses in unison. Tho preacher, Very Rev. Owen F. Dudley, Superior of tho Catholic Missionary Society. London, was clearly heard all over the ground. He spoke on the Catholic Church and its four marks of unity, holiness, catholicity and apostolicity. These, he said, were her credentials. Catholics were one in belief. Father Dudley reminded Catholics of their obligations as members of the church and earnestly appealed to non-Catholies who had heard the Church’s witness during centenary to pray for light and grace to do what Christ would have them do, return to the one true fold. Solemn Pontifical Benediction was then given by Bishop Liston, and at the climax of the rite, as the Host was raised, the silence was broken only hv the threefold chiming of the altar hell. The service over, the Blessed Sacrament, reverently shrouded in _ a veil, was placed in a motor car which' conveyed it away. _