LATE POPE PIUS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23274, 17 February 1939, Page 14

LATE POPE PIUS

CHILDREN'S REQUIEM CATHOLIC SCHOOL PUPILS . ADDRESS BY BISHOP LISTON A touching tribute to the memory of the late Pope Pius XI. was paid by nearly 2000 senior pupils of about 30 Catholic schools in Auckland city and suburbs at St. Patrick's Cathedral yesterday morning, when Pontifical Requiem Mass was celebrated by Bishop Liston. Every seat was occupied and hundreds of boys and girls lined the aisles, porches and vacant spaces in the transepts. The diverse colours of the school uniforms and the distinguishing habits of the religious Orders provided a more colourful spectacle than was witnessed the previous day, when the general public paid their tribute. Special Choir oi Girls

Bishop Liston delivered an appropriate homily to the children and officiated at the Absolutions at the Catafalque. Tho other officiants were:— Assistant-priest, the Father J. J. Bradley; deacon, the Rev. Father W. C. J. Dunphy; sub-deacon, tho Rev. Father A. Wardle; master of ceremonies, the Rev. Dr. L. T. Buxton; assistant-master of ceremonies, the Rev. Father S. G. Gardiner. The deacons at tho throne were the Rev. Fathers M. J. Furlong and M. Murphy, S.M. (Whangarei). A choir of priests chanted the music. Tho cantors were Monsignor W. J. Ormond and the Rev. Father M. J. Lavelle.

The dignified strains of the Gregorian Chant were relieved by the beautiful polyphony of a motet, "0 Salutaris Hostia Sacra," sung at the Offertory by a special choir of girls from St. Mary's College, Ponsonby, and the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Remuera, conducted by a Sister from St. Mary's College. Pope's Work for Youth Basing his address on scenes familiar in Palestine in the time of Christ, Bishop Liston referred to Christ's love and solicitude for the children. As shepherd of a large flock the late Pope Pius had followed the command to Peter, "feed My sheep," in his constant exhortations to the faithful. He had not forgotten the lambs of the flock and all through his life he had thought and worked for youth.

"A young bishop was consecrated and 18 years later he became successor to Peter," said Bishop Liston. "These same words were in his heart, and he knew Our Blessed Lord was saying them to him as fully as He said them to Peter: ' Feed My lambs; feed My sheep.' How nobly and generously, faithful until the end, did Pope Pius XI., as shepherd of the flock, care for the lambs and sheep." The bishop reminded his young congregation or their duty to fulfil their obligations as outlined by the late Pope Pius. The organist was Professor MoorKaroly, who played a funeral march of his own composition as the procession filed out of the cathedral at the conclusion of the cei'emonies. WELLINGTON SERVICE 2000 PEOPLE ATTEND PRIME MINISTER PRESENT FATHER SPILLANE'S ADDRESS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*"] WELLINGTON. Thursday About 2000. including the 'GovernorGeneral's representative, the Prime Minister, Ministers, of the Crown, members of the Consular Corps, members of Parliament and representative citizens, were present in the Church of St. Mary of the Angels at the celebration of Solemn Requiem Mass this morning for the repose of the soul of the late Pope. The seating accommodation of the church proved totally inadequate to accommodate the huge congregation, and many were unable to gain admission.

The celebrant was the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Connolly, administrator of the archdiocese, in the absence abroad of Archbishop O'Shea, S.M. The deacon of the Mass was Father J. Joyce, and the sub-deacon Father F. Wallace. The duties of master of ceremonies were performed by Father A. Robinson. C.S.S.R. The sermon was preached by the Very Rev. Father J. S. Spillane. S.M., Superior of the Marist Mission staff in New Zealand.

Father Spillane said: "As the 260 th successor of St Peter, Pius XT. for 17 years has adorned his office with befitting dignity. He has indeed 'honoured the vesture of holiness, when he put on the robe of glory, and was clothed with the perfection of power.' He has fulfilled our claims for the Papacyclaims exemplified throughout the long history of Christendom. May the dying words of Pius XL, 'Peacel Peace!' be us a balm of healing to the world torn asunder by. discord and strife. May they be as words of prophecy and hope. "May the sacrifice of his life for the peace of the world bring peace and goodwill to all—not mere mutual toleration of men and nations, but the peace of Christ—'that peace which surpasseth understanding and which the world tannot give,' " concluded Father Spillane. PRESBYTERY'S TRIBUTE .LOSS TO CHRISTENDOM Sorrow at the death of the Pope is expressed in a letter received by Bishop Liston from the Rev. A. M. Elliffe on behalf of the Auckland Presbyterv. "It is with very real regret that the announcement of the death of His Holiness the Pope was received at the last meeting of the Presbytery," Mr. Elliffe states. "I was instructed to convey to you the very real sympathy of the members with you and your Church at this time. y "The loss you have sustained is most severe, as is also the loss to all Christendom, especially in relation to world peace. Our prayer,is that God will be verv near to you "at this time and that He will lead you and guide you and your Church in the future."