GOLDEN JUBILEE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22399, 21 April 1936, Page 3

GOLDEN JUBILEE

CELEBRATIONS AT CONVENT The golden jubilee of the religious profession of Mother Mary Benignus Henson, M.A., of St. Mary's Convent, Ponsonbv, was celebrated on Friday. In 1886 Dr. Luck, who was then Bishop of Auckland, received the vows of the young novice, who had come from Athlone, Ireland, to help Sisters of Mercy in their missionary work. During the intervening years she has distinguished herself in the field of education, especially in secondary school work.

Tho jubilee celebrations were opened with a high mass at St. Mary's Convent chapel, at which Bishop Liston presided. The Sisters' choir rendered Doin Moreno's Missa Nona, together with the Proper, sung in harmonised chant. In the afternoon a reception of past pupils and friends was held, during which musical items were given by the present pupils of the college. On Saturday morning at Monte Cecilia Boys' College, where Mother Benignus now resides, Monsignor Cahill, V.G., in the absence of the bishop, presided at High Mass, at which many of the clergy assisted. Boys of the school Jang the mass. During the day Mother Benignus received many congratulatory messages.