REQUIEM MASS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23619, 1 April 1940, Page 11

REQUIEM MASS

cAthedkal service REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING ADDRESS BY BISHOP LISTON Beautiful and impressive in its mournful dignity, Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass for the late Prime Minister was celebrated by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Listen, Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Saturday morning. Rarely has such a great and representative crowd gathered at the church for a service of this nature, a fitting tribute to the honour and esteem in which 31 r. Savage was held. ; Touching reference to the qualities of Mr. Savage as a man of tho people was made by Bishop Liston during a short panegyric toward the close of the service. Death had come to him in the maturity of his powers, with life's •work, as men saw it, unfinished, and the heart's aspirations for the people's welfare unquenched, he said. Rights and Needs of Men "For many, many months he noted the approach of death and measured it, as a Christian will, giving himself to patience in suffering, prayer, thought upon the eternal years, hope, the strong refreshing graces of the Sacraments," the bishop added. To the believer the last days of life were joy, not sorrow, for the night of earth was the dawn of heaven, and this believer did not grieve, but waited. "This man whom wo knew," the bishop continued, "held high office with a clear understanding of the rights and needs of men in their relations with their fullow-men ,tnd of the burdens that often press heavily upon them, and conscious of the ties binding him |to his neighbour he stayed with his comrades to lead them to a mass escape from many of the bitternesses of life that God does not wish for His children." Because of this exalted purpose, suffered with Christian kindliness, and because of his goodness of life, do all men speak his name with reverence." Officiating Priests Acting as assistant priest during the service was Father P. McKeefry. The deacons at the throne were the Revs. J. J. Bradley and M. Kennedy. Father T. Ryder was deacon of the Mass, and the Rev. .T. Pierce was sub-deacon. The masters of ceremonies were Drs. L. T. Buxton and R. Delargey. In addition to a choir of priests, many other clergy were present. Among those at the service were the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, members of the Legislature, members of the Services, members of the Consular Corps, the Mayor. Sir Ernest Davis, and members of the City Council, representatives of numerous local bodies and public organisations, members of Labour Party branches and trade unions officials,. and representatives of other Churches.