FIFTY YEARS A NUN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13605, 26 November 1907, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS A NUN.

GOLDEN JUBILEE OP SISTER M. CAMILLUS. ' The celebration of the golden jubilee of Sister M. Camillus Heffernan took place at St. Mary's Convent, Ponsonby, on , Friday, the Feast of St. Cecilia. A Solemn High Mass was sung by the Right Rov. Monsignor O'Reilly, in the presence of His Lordship, the Bight Rev. IX. Lenihan. The clergy present on the occasion were: The Revs. Fathers Duffy (deacon), Farthing (sub-deacon), and Holbrook (master of ceremonies), and those present in the sanctuary were the Rev. Fathers Buckley, Patterson, Murphy, Tormey, Furlong, and Williams. The Very Rev. F. Gillan, V.G., was unavoidably absent. The Sacred Heart choir, conducted by Mr. T. Adams, rendered the Mass of Saint Louis in an admirable man-, ner. During the offertory piece, "Veni Sponsa Mea," sung by the Misses Lynch, Sara, Amodeo, and K. Ralph, .the venerable jubilarian was led to the altar by the Mother Superior, where she was crowned with a wreath of white roses, while a gold medal was also presented to her. ; A number of little maidens, dressed in white, wearing wreaths and carrying flowers, followed the sister to the altar. The celebrant, Monsignor O'Reilly, preached an eloquent panegyric on the virtues of the good sister and on the work achieved by her and the sisters in the early days of New Zealand. After Mass, the solo and chorus, "In JSternam Jubilantes," was sung by Miss Kelly and the choir. The assembly then adjourned to the convent, where a reoherche dejeuner was served. In the afternoon, at three o'clock, a matinee took place in the High School. His Lordship was present, and the schoolroom was crowded with the friends of the sisters, who came to honour the jubilee of one who had formerly been their instructress. The programme was short but inspiring. The " Wedding March," concerted duo, was executed by the Misses Amodeo, Kelly, White, - and Montague. An address was read by Miss Kelly, after which the jubilee ode was sung by the pupils. Miss Sara sang "Ave Maria" and "When the Birds Go North." Miss Wood recited "The Inventor's Wife" and "The Old Stage Queen," and Miss Evans gave "Singing Leaves." The "Valse Brill iante" was played by the Misses Amodeo, White, Kelly, and Montague. The concert concluded with the duo, " Mavche Triomphale," executed brilliantly by Misses Amodeo and Kelly. A purse of sovereigns was presented to' Sister .Camillus by the ex-pupils and friends. Father Bradley responded for tlit sister, and the company then returned to the church, where the Bishop presided at the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. A short concert was given by the inmates of St. Mary's Orphanage at seven p.m. Several choruses were rendered in an admirable manner by the children. Mrs. Ralph and the Misses Ralph also gave some choice selections. Sister M. Camillus Heffernan was born in Dublin, and came to New Zealand from Carlow Convent in 1857. Since then she has taught in the several convents of the order in Auckland, and she was* one of the pioneer sisters of Wellington Convent. Returning to St. Mary's Sister Camillus devoted herself to the comfort of the sick and poor, and to instructing for the Sacraments children and adults. It is interesting to recall (he fact that her sister was one of the sisters who accompanied ■ Mother. Frances Bridgman to the Crimean war, and a cousin, •Sister M. Aloysius Doyle, was also present during the war nursing the wounded, and was presented with the red cross by the late Queen Victoria. .