FUNERAL OF THE LATE BISHOP LUCK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10038, 27 January 1896, Page 6

FUNERAL OF THE LATE BISHOP LUCK.

AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIAL. Amld widespread evidences of mingled love, respeot, and sorrow, the interment of the body of the Right Rev. John Edmund Luck, 0.5.8., Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, took place on Saturday at Ouehunga. Tne coffin, containing that which was mortal of the deceased prelate, remained in St. Patrick's Cathedral throughout Friday night and Saturday morning. At five a.m. services commenced, and at oleveu o'clock a requiem mass was snug. At two in the afternoon one of the largest funeral processions ever seen in Auckland started from the Cathedral for Ouehunga, where the actual interment took place. The route taken was via Albert-street, Custom-street West, Queenstreet, Wellealey-street, Symond • street, Kyber Pass, thence through Newmarket and Epsom. Along the line taken very large numbers of people, gathered to witness the passing of the cortege, Queen-street and the main street of Ouehunga in particular being thronged, while the closing ot shops, the flags at half-mast, and the deeply respectful attitude of those assembled in the streets testified to the great esteem felt for the late Bishop. The ceremonial, conducted partly at Auckland aud partly at Ouehunga, was a most impressive one.

REQUIEM MASS. At 11 o'clock, St. Patrick's Cathedral being crowded and many being unable to obtain admission, solemn Requiem Mass for the repose of tlio late Bishop's soul was sung. The altar, the interior of the cathedral, and the western entrance, were heavily draped in black, with crosses in white. Tho celebrant of the Mass was Father Len'ihan, while the Rev. Fathers Purton, 0.5.8. (private secretary to the late Bishop), and Amandolini were deacon and sub-deacon respectively, aud Rev. Father Gillon master of the ceremonies. There was also a complete " Office for tho Dead" recited at the end of the Mass, the celebrant of this part of the service being His Lordship Bishop Grimes (Society of Mary) with the clergymen above mentioned as deacon and subdeacou. The epistle read in the mass was from I. Corinthians, xv., 51-57, and the gospel was from St. John, v., 25—29. The absolutions at the close of the office were pronounced by His Lordship Bishop Grimes and Monsignori Paul and McDonald, and the Revs. P. W. Madden, O'Hara, and Lenihan, as Bishop's Cathedral Canons. The solemn and beautiful Gregorian music, sung in the Requiem Mass, was specially arranged by the Rev. Father Kehoe, who also conducted in an efficient manner. This music was admirably rendered by the Cathedral choir, Dr. Egan, 0.5.8., presiding with his usual ability at the organ, except at the rendition of the " Dead March in Saul," at the conclusion of the service in the Cathedral, which was efficiently played by Mr. Hartwell, the Cathedral organist, who was away on his annual holiday, and returned to be present at the Bishop's funeral. The soloists in the mass were father Kehoe and Monsieur Casier. The great features of the music of the mass were "0, Salutaris," the "Dies Irae," and the "De Profundis," which were harmonised by Father Kehoe, Bishop Grimes preached a powerful and eloquent sermon from 2 Timothy, iv., 7 and 8. " 1 have fought a good tight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only,, but unto all them also that love His appearing." These words, said Bishop Grimes, gave the keynote to the life of the late Bishop, for that life had been devoted to the promotion of the Catholic faith. A monument of that life and of its usefulness would be always with them in the presence of the splendid buildings erected during Bishop Luck's lifetime in the various parishes in the diocese. Only a week since he (BishopGrimes)had received a letter from him whose loss they now deplored, full of solicitude for the deepest and best interests of the diocese, and it had been arranged to have a personal conference. One of the incidents in Bishop Luck's career, namely, the erection of the Palace at Ponsonby, Bishop Grimes referred at some length. That magnificent structure had been left to the diocese, and would for ever stand as a monument of the deceased prelate's piety and self-abnegation. Bishop Luck had known well he had not long to live, and the building had not been erected for himself. It was not even built at his own suggestion, for he preferred to live in accordance with his vow of poverty. But it had been shown that it would befitting that there should be a suitable residence for future Bishops, and the spirit of faith, which was always so strong in him, prompted his consent. That building would ever remain a monument to Bishop Luck. ... : Prayers were afterwards offered by clergy aud congregation for the repose of tho soul of the deceased.

A SOLEMN INTERVAL. During the solemn interval which intervened between the close of mass and two o'clock, the time fixed for the removal of the coffin to the hearse, very large numbers visited the Cathedral, m%ny kneeling beside the coffin in silent prayer. The coffin, which was of polished kauri wood, with heavy brass mountings and plate, bore the following inscription:—" Joannes Edmundus Luck, 0.y.8., Episcopus Aucopolitanus Quartus. Obiit die 23 January, 1896. iEtat 55 anD. R.I. Around the coffin were lighted tapers, and upon the catafalque were the many wreaths that had been sent, some of an elaborate description, others by their simplicity speaking touchingly of the love borne for the deceased by the poorer. Amongst those who sent wreaths were the Auckland Catholic Literary and Debbatiug Society; the members of St. Patrick's Cathedral choir (with veneration ami deepest sympathy); St. Patrick's branch, No. 81, Hibernian Society; the Children of Mary (St. Benedict's), the pupils of the Marist Brothers, the Mayor of Auckland (with deepest sympathy), Mr. and the Misses Lundon, Mr. and Miss Hamill, Mrs. Dignan, Mrs. Daniel Fallon and Miss Fallon, Mr. F. Peacocke, Mrs. Breadon, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. O'Brien, Mrs. M. Dignan, "A loving friend," Miss J. Smith, Mr. L. O'Brien (Waiheke), Mrs. O'Hara, Mrs. Mulvihill, and others whose names were not attached to the wreaths.

THE PROCESSION. 46 two o'clock, when the Cathedral bell commenced to toll, the coffin was reverently raised and carried down the central aisle to the main entrance,''and there deposited in the.hearse. As the procession passed onwards the " Dead March in Saul " was impressively playod on the organ. On the emergence of the bearers at the western entrance the male portion of the large gathering of those outside, unable to gain admission, respectfully uncovered their heads. The funeral procession was then formed in the following order :—

H.A.C.B.S. inarching in procession. Nos. 2 to 5, carriages with the clergy. No. 6, Bishop Grimes. No. 7, hearse. No. 8, Bishop Luck's carriage. No. 9, Rev. Father Luck (brother of the deceased prelate). Nos. 10 aud 11, personal friends of the late Bishop, including Messrs. E. Mahony, J. Hill (solicitor), P. Darby, Canniug, J. T. Boylan, P. Brophy. Nos. 12 and 13, representatives of the Children of Mary and the Guard of Honour, each in their distinguishing dress. Ne. 14, the representatives of St. Patrick's Literary Society. No. 15, St. Benedict's Literary Society. Then followed carriages containing the New Zealand district; officers H.A.C.8.5., and representatives of the Dunediu, Auckland, and Onehuuga branches of the society, the Sisters of Mercy, and a large body of citizens. Amongst those present were the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. J. J. Holland), Mr. J. P. Cowie (representing the Most Rev. Dr. Cowie, Anglican Biship of Auckland and Primate of New Zealand, who was unable to attend personally), the Rev. Canon Nelson (Vicar of St. Paul's, Anglican), and Mrs. Nelson, the Hon. W. T. Jennings, M.L.C., the Hon. J. A. Tole, Colonels Burton and McMahou, Messrs. T. Thompson and W. Crowther, M.H.R.'s, Drs. Mackellar and Darby, Messrs. P. L. Dignan, J. McAlistor, D. Lundon, Burton, T. Peacock, S. Vaile, D. G. MaoDonuell, W. J. Napier, Wm. ?"S??'. W ri If** W> BeehaD . *• Madura, A. Walsh, P. Darby. J. Bollard, W. Swales, H. N. Garland, FitzPatrick (Ngaruawahia), J. M. Grace (Paterangi, Waikato), W. Lynch, T. Foley, Inspector Hickson, Sergeant McMahon, P. C. Mclillan, etc. J. here were no fewer than 75 vehicles in the procession, including several large brakes: somo idea of the numbers may be gathered from the fact that the procession of carriages extended from one end of Kyber Pas 3 Road to the other, nearly a mile in length. On reaching tho corner ot Kyber Pass Road and Symonds-atreet the Hibernian Society opened out to the right and left, allowing the procession to pass through, and then they entered the brakes provided, and taking their position in the cortege followed on to Onehunga.

THE OBSEQUIES AT ONEUUNGA. On approaching Onehunga the crowd was found to be very large, over 400 people havingjourneyed from Auckland. So large was the gathering that the greatest care had to be exercised in getting through the crowd to the Catholic Churoh of. the Assumption, where arrangements for the interment had been made. While the funeral procession went through the town to the place of burial, the bell of the Anglican Church of St Peter was tolled as a mark ot respect. The church, although a. spacious one, ; -could not accommodate '-one-tenth of those t^^ : (Che

coffin,still covered with ba^i* 5 * WM was placed oa the catafalqu^ 1 Nem, fig and the clergy took their D lacLW ( «'it WB the altar, the Right Rev D o,l° ,rn raK of Chri,tchurel, officiating t G ,r e A- B W » With him were the Re* Fa e t <S# ■ Administrator of the D.Swft « Paul V.G . Monsignor & aB Dr. Egan, Rev. Fathers 6'£\ * ®ffi Hackett, O'Reilly, KehoV" j ffl| Buckley, Gregory Mad,!* ' M °MilV H| MahonyM. Egan, Amandolini,' D c pS WwM Lighthart, Henry, and Bovle Hi, i **b HH read the English version 'of \L '}% Mm service in a most impressive m „ "N lilt clergy joining in the responses. w >tti Iflf AT THIS GRAYS. B( Standing near the head of th. flit which was sunk in a bed of concret '■ 1 ' PfPf west transept of the church, ami j J ' 5 >'-> Wish the coffin was lowered— (; '*i ||i feeling language addressed those'?"'i WM He said that last time he had come HH church he was accompanied i iy J''h £■</? Bishop Luck. He brought under hi'* 4:< PHI the beautiful altar which he - ''■' |ll§ sented to this mission, and he «■■', > : '- fill to see it now adorning this £ !l ' HP edifice. He remembered now the ani!;l (Ml which Bishop Luck then spoke, and *?' SU showed him to be truly a man of laith'l? Pli (Bishop Grimes) spoke of the burden di; Wm Episcopacy, expressing half regret thin Sm had been placed in a position of whi J: '« sssPs did not feel worthy. He (Bishop Lu-kl J* Nil "My dear Lord, think of the great' re. " IS we will receive in heaven because » e "' Fhß Bishops." In this he spoke as a true - t| Wf cesser of the Apostles, and he earnest!? W that he was now receiving the great ti. 111 which he prefigured and aimed at. t5 m% Bishop was dead and gone from thorn I? M§ his spirit lived, and they should follow :i iH example set by him. If lit could no* J, t ' i jfl out of his coffin he would say to then, m" 111 not simply stand round, but pray fj r "* $M for I now appear before Hi-n who,, '' Mi Judge. Remember, my brethren, to-day ' $ for me to-morrow for you.'' " L, t ''! ffl added Bishop Grimes, "try tq ,3 fflj§ in his footsteps, and let our \2 $»j thoughts be of heartfelt prayer. Let us J' SSI that his sufferings, if any, may he »briii;J mi May the soul of the departed Bishop /2 ||| Edmund Luck, fourth Bishop <>f Auctlw •*•?§ and the first laid amongst his Hock, its;,; ]$m peace. Amen." fM The final rites being then administer i%\ the congregation dispersed, but crowds v WM those who had been unable to gain fgj poured into the Church to have a fwiiji '$ffl look at the coffin and grave of the u 31 Bishop. ' &8| The whole of the arrangements for tbt ■«§! funeral were made by Mr. Little, undertaker ■«$ Hobson-street, and the fact that not a j_>' t|| hitch occurred throughout showed the J,, [ '■£ and forethought he had bestowed on \;, t % duties in connection with the interment t L v* its impressive ceremonial. " fl' REFERENCE TO THE BISHOP'S Will If During the course of his service at $i \.i Patrick'n Cathedral last night the R», k m Father Madden made special reference tj fn the death of the late Bishop, and brieSr •'£ summarised his last will and testanJ m from both its spiritual and tinancbl II aspect. The reverend gentleman poiot',) ; 8 out thai; the fruits of the Bishop's labour, M for tho past thirteen years had been devoted H entirely to the cause, the cathedral had bag m freed of all debts, and the remainder of tj m earthly belongings had gone to benefit the m diocese of Auckland. Even the bishop M own brother had received nothing bat i M chalic-i, and had even asked leave to take th: H photograph of the deceased, There was« If even enough left to purchase a headstone to ;| erect over the grave of the Bishop, wjj) m in his last testament had appealed m to the clergy to erect a plain simole m cross over tho grave to his memory, i?| The late Bishop had carried out the assurann M he had given that ho would leave th« §j Cathedral free of debt. This had been do« m out of his own private means at a cost d ffl £900. The cathedral was therefore practi- §§ cally free. The presbytery, on which thenl M was still a debt of £ 1600, was not, however, m for Bishop Luck thought this should he the M duty of the congregation. Even the late m Bishop's vestments, which had been \,n. m sented to him by the Benedictine Order, M would be returned to that Order.

The Dead March in " Saul" was played i; $ the close of the evening service by Profess--,: I Lambert with the full orchestra of th> 1 Cathedral, with side drum accompaniuun 1 by a member of one of the city bauds. 1

THE NEW BISHOP. 1 Father Madden announced yesterday thai I Archbishop Redwood had sent intimatio: I that owing to the death of the late Bishop | Luck, the election which had recently tab §1 place for a coadjutor bishop was now of to | avail. A new election of a bishop would 1 now have to be made. [BY TfiLECRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENTS, j | Paeroa, Saturday. I At the service in the Roman Catholic I Church tho Rev. Father Hackett midi 1 feeling reference to the death of Bishop I Luck, and lie contended that the diocese cl | Auckland owed a deep debt of gratitude to I the deceased, for it was through his zeal wi 1 devotion that the Marist Brothers, the 1 Little Sisters of the Poor, and others wen I brought to Auckland, where their service! | in the cause of education and the destitute $ were so much needed. Oae of his last work! 1 for the good of the diocese was the introdnt- 1 tionof the Vinccntian Fathers, who camel to give missions to his people. The spiriiml 1 good accomplished by these missions Father > Hackett stated was incalculable, and mi!]; I % have proved a rich harvest of merit bean 8 the judgment seat of God when the soul oi | their good Bishop appeared there. Kihikihi, Saturday. | The news of Bishop Luck's death was re- | ceived at Kihikihi, on Friday, with ieelina I of deep sorrow, and much sympathy is felt | for his devoted brother, the revered resilient 1 priest of this township and district. | (by telkqkaph.— press association. 1 Wellington, Saturday, 1 Solemn requiem mass for tho repose ol J the soul of the late Bishop Luck was s.unc in 1 St. Joseph's Church, by His Grace Arch' | bishop Redwood, this morning. The Roe 1 Father Power acted as deacon, Father Golda | as sub-deacon, and Father Kirk as niasw | of ceremonies. A strong choir of risitic; | priests, under Father Aubrey, sung the | music of the mass. _ The ceremony was at- 1 tended by all the priests of the Archdio«s it who, now in retreat at St. Patrick's Co! >. | lege, and also by a large congregation. 1