CONSECRATION OF BISHOP VERDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2201, 7 May 1896, Page 22

CONSECRATION OF BISHOP VERDON.

. YESTERDAY'S CEREMONIES, j The first consecration In New Zealand of a bishop of the Roman Catholic, Church took place oa Sunday at St. Joseph's Cathedral, when, in the presencs of numerous dignitaries of the church, in eluding those -holding highest rank in tbe colonies, Monsiguor Verdon was consecrated as successor of the late Dr Moraa ss bishop of the See of Dunedin. The interest attaching to the occasion was so considerable that the cathedral was crowded to excess at each of the services of the day. The actual ceremony of consecration was performed in tha forenoou with all the rites* prescribed for such an important institution— Cardinal Moran, Archbishop of Sjdney, acting as consecrator, and Bishop Mnrray, of Maitland, N.S.W., and Bishop Grimes, of Christchurcb, being the assistant, bishops. The" Very Rev. Father Lenihan (administrator of tbl diocese of Auckland) and the VerjTfcev. Ifather tiSvoy, S M. (vicargeneral of the arch diocese of Wellington) acted as chaplains to the oardlnal. The Very Ray. Father Gumming, S.M. (vicargeneral of tha diocese of Christchurch), was the chaplain to Bishop Grimes, and the Very Rev. Father Oarew, B.M. (Greymputh), chaplain to Bishop Murray. The Veiqr Rsvs. Father O'Leary (Lawreisc*) and Dr Egan, 0.5.8. (of St. Benedict's, Auckland), also officiated as chaplains. The masters of ceremonies were the Very Ray. Dr O'Haran (secretary to Cardinal Moran) and the Rsv. Fathers Burke and Murphy. The- Very Rev. Father Mackay (Oamaru) and Dr Egan, 0.5.8. (Auckland), acted as cantors. The Very Rev. Father Lynch, as stated further on, read the pontifical brief of appointment. Each of the dioceses in tha colony was, it will be seen, represented in the sanctuary. The following" clergy T were also present: — The Eev. Fathers- JRobimon ' (Melbourne), Walsh (Melbourne), Marnane, S M. (Chrietchurch), liswis, S.M (Timaru), Regnaulfc, S.M. (Waimate), Dewe (England), Walsh (Rivoiton), Bheeban (Ophin, Newport (Port Chalmerß), J. O'Neill (Milton), Vereker (Invercargill), Keenan (Winton), Hunt (South Danedin), J. O'Donnell (Gore). P. O'Neill (Gore), J. F. O'Donnell (Palmerston), Ooffey (Lawrence), ißjan (Hilton), and Howard (Dunedin) All jthe priests of the diocese of Dunedin were present, with three exceptions — the Rev. Fathers M'Mullan (Oamaru), J. Lynch (Arrow), and ODea (Invercargill), — who pent their congratulations, but were presented by urgent ministerial work from leaving, their respective spheres of labour. In accordance with the anoient practice, of the Roman Catholic Church, the officiating dignitaries with the bishep-eket are required to go in procession to the ohnrch in which the ceremony of consecration-is to take place, and punctually at 10 o'clock yesterday morning — the time appointed for the commencement of the eervices — the prescribed procession was formed in front of the bishop's palace. Tbe acolytes led tbe way, followed by the administrator of the diocese, and then came the consecrator, vested in full pontificals, the assistant bishops in. rochets, stoles, copes, and mitres, tbe bishop-elect in amice, alb, cincture, and stole, and the remaining clergy. The proceeeioa across Rattray street to St. Joseph's was witnessed by a large< concourse of people who had assembled outside the cathedral gates, and oa its entering the sacred building passed up the central aisle, the whole of the vast congregation inside rising to the feet, and the choir giving tha " Bcce Sicerdoa." At the top of the aisle the acolytes opened cot to make way for the prelates, and the conßecrator, the biebop-elect, and tho others who had offices assigned to thtm in the ceremony were escorted to the ■^•anctuary. Cardinal Moran then took his teat at the altar, and Dx Verdon, wearing his biretta, was presented to him by ' Bishops Murray and Grimes, the former of whom, addressing the consecrator, said :—": — " Most Reverend Father, oar holy mother, tbe Catholic Church, requires of you to raise this priest here present to the burthen of a bishop." The Cardinal having. called for the brief authorising the consecration, the document was read by the Very Ray. Father Lynch as notary, after which the bishopsleet, kneeling before the Cardinal, who was still seated at the altar, recited in Latin the oath of duty and fidelity, of which the following is a translation : — I, Michael Verdon, elect of the Cbnrcb of Pnnedin, will be, from thia hour henceforward, obedient to blessed Peter the Apostle, and to tha holy Ronatm Church, and to the most blowed Father, Pope Leo XIII, tod to his successors canonicslly choeen. I will assist them to retain and defend, agiinsb any man | whatever, the Roman Popedom, withoub prejudice to my rank. I will take care to preserve, defend, and promote the rights, honours, privileges, and authority of the Holy Roman Cbu'ch, of the Pope, and of his .succesrors, as aforesaid. With my whole strength I will observe, and caute to be observed by others, the rules of the Holy Fathers, the decrees, ordinances or dispositions and mandates of the Apostolic See. When called to a synod I will coma, unless I be prevented by a canonical impediment. I will personally visit the Apostolic See once every 10 years, and render an account to our most blcsstd Father Leo XIII, and his' successors as aforesaid, of my whole pastoral officf, and of everything in any way appertaiuiug to the estate of my church, bo bhe discipline of tbe clergy and people, and to the saltation of the souls entrusted bo my care ; and I will humbly receive, in return, tte apostolic mandates, and most diligently execute them. But if I be prevented by a lawful impediment, I will perform all the things aforesaid by a certain mcse«Dger, specially authorised for this purpose, a prieet of the diocese, or by some Dther secular or regular priest of tried virbue Kid piety, ww'l initructed on all the above subjects. I will nor, tell nor give away, nor mortgage, enffeffl autw, nor in any way alienate the possessions beUn^ing to my table, without the Isave of the Roman 'Poptiff. And should I proteed to any alienation of them, I am willing to incur ipso facto the penalties specified id the constitution published on this 6ubjtcb. At the ' conclusion of the recital of the formulary, the bishop-elect, Btill kneeling before the. Cardinal, touched with both hands tbe Book of the Gospels, as it fay open jn the latter'fl lap, and said, " So may God help me,

and these Holy Cbspels of, God." The prescribed examination, which embraces questions both upon the duties of the episcopal office and as to ■ the creed and profession of faith, then took place, and the various questions having been satisfactorily answered, Cardinal Moran, laying aside his mitre, began the mass, in which he was assisted by the bishop-elect", who had laid aside the cope and assumed the pectoral cross, in tunic, dalmatic, and chasuble with stole ueoroased. The duties of the episcopacy were thereafter concisely stated by the cardinal, sitting at the altar, in these terms : "It behoves a bishop to judge, interpret, consecrate, ordain, baptise, and. confirm." During the riogiug of the Litany, which followed, Dr Verdon was prostrated on the left of the conaecrator, and all the others — congregation and clergy — knelt excepting Cardinal Moran, who, towards the end, thrice pronounced a»clause of blessing over the bishop-elect. The Litany being ended, the Book of theOospels was laid open on the shoulders of Dr Verdon, where it was sustained until it was delivered into the hands of the bishop-elect at a subsquenfc part; of the ceremony, the instruction conveyed by this rite being that the Gospel must not be a sealed book to the bishop. The imposition of hands followed, the consecrator and tbe <asistant bishops layirg their hands upon Dr Verdon's head and saying, " Receive thou the Holy Ghost." The Cardinal, standing, then prayed : "Be propitious, O Lord, to our sup- ■ plications ; ard, inclining over this, Thy ! servant, the hour of priestly grace, pour out | upon him the virtue of Thy blessing." A ' sacred canticle adapted to the occasion, was . then intoned by Cardinal Moran, who, on beaded knees, next invoked the Holy. ,Gho*t in the "Veni Creator Spiritus." At the end of tha first Terse of this -the consecrator seated himself, and, assuming the mitre, made the sign 1 of the cross- on the head of the bishop-elect with holy chrism, and anointed his tonsure and hands. The crozier, or pastoral staff, and the ring were next blessed, and the latter was placed on the right-hand of the new bishop, who, following a- reltc of ancient discipline, then made an offering, consisting of two lighted torches, two loaves, and two ornamental, small barrels of wine. The mass was then continued with soma additional prayers for the- occasion, and Dr Verdon communicated in both kinds with Cardinal Moran. After the Solemn Benediction, the ! mitre and gloves - were blessed, and plttced respectively on the head and on the hands of the naw bishop, whom the Cardinal and Bishop Murray then conducted to the episoopal chair, after which the former handed the. pastoral staff to Dr Verdon. ' The "Te Deam " was then given, and during the singing, of it Bishop Verdon, • still attended by Bishops Murray and Giimei, proceeded down th* middle aisle of the cathedral and returned to the sanctuary by the northern aisle, bestowing the pontifical blessing as he went. Toe mass was then closed in the usual way. Archbishop Redwood then ascended the pulpit and delivered the consecration' sermon. This concluded the forenoon service, except that members of the Roman Catholic congregations were afforded an opportunity of rendering homage to the newly- consecrated bishop. The musical portion of the oeramocial was ably rendered by a strengthened choir, under Jhe baton of Mr W. T. Ward. The " Eccß oacerdoß " was sung as the procession entered the church, and the hymn " Crux Fidelia ' was rendered daring the adjustment of the bishop-eleob's vestments. The mass was low mass, and, therefore, Gounod'a " Messe Solennolle " was not played in its entirety, but the *' Eyrie " movement and portions of the " Credo " and "Gloria" movements were given. The soloists were — Miss Rose Blaney fseprtmo), Mr P. Carolin (tenor), and Mr Barns-Walker (bass), the last-mentioned taking the part at short notice, owing to Mr Cantwell's indisposition. Dudng-the contsecration, the aatiphon " Unguentum in Capite," and the 132 nd Psalm, " Ecoe Qaam Bonnm," describing the consecration of Aaron, were sung. Upon Dr Verdon being erected to the episcopate, the "Te Deum " was chanted, Cardinal Moran leading off, and the priests and the chair singing alternate lines. Mr A. Vfcllis, who efficiently, presided at the organ, played the " Marche Romaine " (Gounod) and, as tho concluding voluntary, Guilmant's " Grand Ohoeur, in D," and also gave short improvisations between various parts of the service. j THE EVENING SERVICE. j Id the evening the cathedral was again | full to ovei flowing before the time for the service to commence. His Eminence the i Cardinal did cot attend the evening service, but the other church dignitaries and all the clergy already named were present. The Most Ray. Bishop Verdon occupied the episcopal throne The Very Rev. Father Welsh (of Melbourne) was Archbishop Oarr's chaplain ; the Very Rev. Dr Eagan (of Auckland) was Archbishop Redwood's chaplain ; the Rev. Father O'Loary (of Lawrence) was ! chaplain to the Bishop of Maitland (the Most Rev. Dr Murray) ; and the Very Rev Father Oummings was chaplain to Bishop Grimes. After the Rosary had been recited, the choir sang Mendelssohn's " Lauda Sion," the solo parts being taken by Mise Mary Morrison, of Invercargill (soprano), Mr E. Eager (tenor), Misses R. and M. Drumm (contraltos), Mr W. Wood (bass). The Archbishop of Melbourne then ascended the pulpit and delivered a sermon, after which Mies Rose Blaney sa&g Garcia's "Silve Maria," with violin obbligato by Miss Parker. Th<j benediction of the Blo?ssd Sacrament then took place, Bishop Verdon officiating, with Father Mackay as deacon, Father Walsh as sub-deacon, and Father Murphy as master of ceremonies. Daring the benediction Schumann's " 0 Salutario," Arcadell's "0 Maria," and Paleatrina's " Tantum Ergo," and an " Adoremus " were sung. ADDRESSES OF WELCOME The Saorament having beea removed, the addressee were then presented in the sanctuary. The address of the clergy was presented in a permanent form, on a very handsomelycarved overmantle, which was designed and manufactured by Mr J. Marlow. The Rev. Father Burke, injoresentirjg the address, said : My Lord,— Some weeks ago the clergy pre- , pared an address for presentation to you on the day of your oonaeoration', The clergy of the diocese have requested me to read

their address' this evening. In complying with their request, I feel pleased and honoured. The laity will afterwards offer you their expression of welcome. You find yourself to-day in the midst of many facea strange to yon and in an environment quite new to- you. Hence we, to whom the Holy See has given you to be our spiritual father — we, henoaforth your sons, — wish to offer you not a mere formal homage, bub to come and speak words of warmest welcome to you. We of the clergy understand the grave thoughts that press upon the mind of a priest on tbe morning of his ordination, and, skill more, on the mind of a biahop on the day of hia consecration. We understand how a bishop's experiencod mind and tender, welltrained conscience, impressed by the solemn consecration ceremonial, the sacred Scripture extracts, and tha prayers and exhortations of" the pont.ificale — wa understand how a mind, trembling bdfore^the "onus angelicii humeris formidandttm," travels on into the future and is inclined to take a depressing forecast of it, with its unceasing labours, its minute and harassing cares, and, withal-, little thanks received on this side the grave. Hence, it is, baloved father, that we, your sons and co-workers in tho ministry, are anxious to gather round you on this the eve of your episcopal career to assure you that, as. far at it will depend on us, your courage need not fail— your heart need not bs faint. Yoa have, indeed, reason for consolation in the present organisation and religious institutions, of this diocese and in the people's piety and generosity, of which those works are, the embodiment. You have reason for hope in the sternly ut>ssl6lsh>ahd continuous devotion to duty of the religious communities— those veritable seminaria of our future hopes — planted up and down the diocese. But I have little hesitation in assuring your Lordship that you will be strengthened and fortified chiefly by the loyalty and in tho oonfidence of your priests, with whose spirit your geatle, kind, and cultured mind will soon find itself ab home, aa coming in and , going out amongst us you come to know us one by one. You will find amongst us almost perfect peace, oneness of mind, brotherly unity — Ihe delight, I should think, of a bishop's soul. You will find our absorbing aim to be the promotion of the interests of religion — out method not, what the ascetic theologians reprobate, the politioa humana, but the simplicity, straightforwardness, openness of the Gospel teachiDg. Confident anticipations, * therefore, may well mingle with the weighty thoughts which have occupied your mind this day. I may here observe that the clergy, wishing this address to be a lasting reminder to themselves aud to your Lordship of. this solemn festival, have provided tbat it be set up in a , permanent form in a prominent position in your episcopal resideccs. The address was as follows :— May ib please your Lordship,— We, the clergy of the diocese of Dunedio, beg respectfully to tender bo jour Lordship the expression of 'our cordial welcome and hearty , congratulations on your appointment by the Holy See to this diocese. It affords vi moat sincere pleasure to welcome your Lordship as the successor of our late beloved and venerated bishop, who, we have reason to know, held you in highest esteem. It is to us, moreover, a source of real gratification that our newly-appointed bishop Is a man who has been distinguished in the church by lifelong services to education and holy religion, and who has attained distinction in the City of the Popes ss the guide and instructor or bhe Levites of our native land. We have also reason to congratulate ourselves on the appointment of an ecclesiastic who belongs to a faoaily which has given distinguished leaders to the church at Home and abroad. We beg to assure your Lordship tbab you will have in bhis diocese bhe co-operation and loyal services of a body of priesCs who, without egotism, can claim bo be thoroughly devoted to bha interests, eduoabional and religious, of bhe psop'e entrusted bo their charge. We can also sp-ak in the name of onr people, and confidently a«serb bhab bhey will prove themselves worthy of the bishop who guided them so long and well iv the battle for justice and right. We have nob bhe least doubt bhab your lordship, with the co-operation of priests and people, will eventually obtain the justice for < which bhey have unselfishly laboured. We may also be permitted to say thab, in our opinion, our fellow-eolouisti will, when they realise onr unswerving fidelity bo principle, come bo believe that the cause is truly just, and that they will join in enabling us to secure tbe rights for which we have faithfully worked. They must now see clearly that we' are determined to give our children a thorough/ education. Results have shown- that,- while bhe all-importnnt matter of religion- is carefully attended to, we are' ready bo sabisfy the -requirements of rigorous inspection. Finally, let us b»g the Giver of all go id gifts to open the minds of the people of New Zealand to the reasonableness of our conscientious convictions on the subject of Christian education. Let us bope thab the influence and powerful advocacy which your Lordship will undoubtedly bring to bear upon our fellowcolonists may, by the merciful providence of God, hasten the satisfactory settlement of a cause which is bound up with the beat interests of this highly favoured colony. John Mackiy Michael Walsh Patrick O'Leaby John Sheehan William J. Newpoet William Burkb James O'Neill Patrick Lynch Nicholas Veeekbb Michabl Keenan Ghorgb M. Hunt Patrick O'Donnbli Patrick O'Neill Patrick Murphy William A M'Mullan John F. O'Donneki James Lynch James Coffbt Patrick ODea John Ryan Michael Howard. May 3, 1896. " Mr J. B. Oallan presented the following address from the laity : — To the Mo3t Rev. Michael Verdon, D.D., on his arrival in Dunedin. We, tbe Catholic laity of Dunedin and suburbs, beg to offer your Lordship a respectful and most cordial welcome bo your episcopal citr, and to express our gratification that ib has pleased th.B Holy See to appoint, as our second bishop, a dignitary cf such eiuin>ncft in ths church. You do nob coino to us as a ; the great servicei you have rendered aa professor and rector of Clonliffe College in Iraland, as vjce-presidenb of bhe Irish College ab Rome, and" an president of the Ecclesiastical College at Manly are well known to us. We have full assurance that your Lordship's episcopacy will be blessed to your people, whose faithful compliance with your teaching will, we sincerely trust, strengthen and comfort you in the arduous lubour6 of your ex*lteJ oifioo. In regard to things material, your LordskiD may

depend upon our co-operation and support to the extent of our powers. Trusting thab your Lordship may be long spared to. preside over tho diocese. Signed, on behalf of -tha Catholic laifiy of Dunedin and suburb?, J. B Callan „ Prank W. Petrh Francis Meknan- - G. E HAtranTON John Carroll ' Jokn Mokbay May 3, 1896. - -(Hon. Secretary). Mr James O'Nbill, presented from the Hibernian Society the following address: — To the Most Rev. Miohnel" Verdon, D.D., on his arrival in Dunediu. The St. Joseph's branch, No. 73, Dunedin, of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Bentflfc Society, desire with feelings of the deepest respect to welcome your Lordship on your arrival in the Cathedral City of th* diocese, the episcopal charge of which hue beau committed to your hands. It is a matter of gratification to our society that it has pleased the Holy See to appoint as successor to our late beloved** bishop a dignitary holding so high a position in the church, who has won distinction in many spheres of duty, and who is closely connected by family tiea with tho late Cardinal Cnllen and with the present Cardinal- Archbishop of Sydney — eminent, most learned, and saintly men, of whom all Irishmen are justly proud. Tbe appointment of your Lordship as the first president of the Esolesiasjtical College'established a few years ago at M»nly, New South Wales, by your illustrious cousin, Cardinal Moran, gave the greatest satisfaction throughout. Australasia^ — a feeling which has been entirely- justified by the marked success of your administration. The respect and esreazn in whioh you were held by our late bishop— whose memory will ever be oheri.*hed by thrsa to whom he ministered and, indeed, devoted his whole life — is. well known* to our society, and we rejoice to feel assured tbat his successor is a mm after his own heart and oi one mind with him oa the momentous question of Christian education, of which throughout the whole course of his long' episcopate he was the uuswerwi-r.ch^napioH. The Hibernian Au»trA3asi«.nTJatholic Benefit Society his for its objects the eheruhing a love for our faith and fatherland, the exteuding the true hand of fellowship to Catholics of every nationality, the visiting and financiilly assihting our sick and distressed brethren, and the making provision for the widows and orphans of deceased members. These objects we feel certain will commend themselves to your Lordship, and we ask with coriS'tence your bles*ing upon our work *nd your patronage of this) branch of the sccitty. Your kindly intoreeb and cooperation will do mush towards extending the field: of our operations by inducing Catholics to give prefcrenc9 to our society over other friendly societies, ext ellent we have no doubt in ' themselves, but not established on a Catholic basis. It is our earnest prayer tbat God will pour dowu upon you His c-ho cast blessings; and that you may be sustained and comforted in your laborous duties by the obedient devotion of a faithful people. •- (S'gued on bebalf of the branch), Jambs O'Neill, Pre-idenb Willtam Mulrooney, Vics-president. JoiiNiA Hally, Past Piesidenb. Denis O'Mahoney, Treasurer. Jamjes O'Connor, Secrttsry,. Mi* J. Mablow, on behalf of the confraternities, presented the following address: — Address of the Religious Confrateruit'ea and Spoiaties to the Mont Ray. Dr Verdon, on his arrival in Dunedip. May it please your Lordship, — The religious conFr&teruitiea and societies attached to St. Joseph's Cathedral and the suburban churches desire to approach your Lordship with most respectful and cordial weloome upon your arrival to undertake tha episcopal charge of this diocesa. We feel deeply gratified that ib has pleased the Holy Father to select so distinguished an ecclesiastic, whose services to ths. church in various spheres of duty have been so eminent, to succeed our late bishop, who will ever live in oar memorirs as an exemplar of apostolic virtues, high courage in the cause of Christianity, and affectionate Bolioitude for the spiritual and temporal interests of his people. Your Lordship does nob come amongst us as a stranger. We are familiar with the great work of your life^ — the bringing to a high degree of excellence the Ecclesiastical College established at Manly, New South Wale*, by his Eminence the Cardinal- Archbishop of Sjdoey— an institution with whose success tha future of the church in Australa?ia is'ident fled. Your earlier official career, as president of Hjly Cross College, Clonliffe, Dublin, founded by your illu'trious uncle, Cardiual CuUen, is knows to ali Irish Catholics, bs well as the success which attended your labours in thab capacity. In your high position as vicepresident of the Irish Col'ege *t Rome, which you held with conspicuous ability for m»ny years, yonr influence was widespread, and extends t>day wherever throughout the world . the Irish priesthood — foremost alw&ya in the rank of the church militant — are Bguling the powers of evil and maintaining thb traditions of the Island of SainTs. The high esteem in which your Lordship was held by our late most loved bishop gives yon a very sbroug claim to our reverential regwd. The confraternities and societies constituted at his instance look forward with confidence to ba encouraged and have their usefulness enlarged under your Lordship's administration. In oar humble way, under efficieab pßefcoral guidanoe, our endeavour has bßen t» inculcate personal piety and the realisation of Christian duty ab all times and under all oiroutDstahces, bo promote social intercourse among Catholics, and forward the intellectual culture of Catholic youth. A branch of the St. Vincent de Paul Society occupies itself in the material works of charity contemplated by the saintly fvunder. Special devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jeeus, to His blessed mother, bo St. Joseph^ and the patron saint of Ireland, are endeavoured to be made parb of the daily life of our members, in order bhab they may be strengthened against recurring temptation, and be prepared to frequently apply to their nouls bhe divine graces so freely poured forth in the S»orsaneuts of Penance and the Eucharist. The late bishop was specially tfce champion of Christian education in New Zealand. He arrived here ab a very critical period, when the present State system was first established, and to the day of his death he vehemently denounced bhe secular principle, which is its leading charaoteriabio, and condemned the gross injustice of forcing Catholics to contribute to the niMuten uue of p .blie fchjols to which they cannot couecientiously send their children. He was nob couteob with words, bub founded Catholic primary schools throughout the diocese, and provided for higher education by the.iutroduefcion of the Dominican Nuns &nd bhe Christian Brothers, whose highly successful schools, are glorious monuments to his memory. It mast be a source of gratification to your Loudship to find these institutions in active fores nnd exercising moxfc beneficial influences, and we j feol certain tliab in your Loidship's liands the education of .the Catholic youth of both, sexes

will be as safe M' in those of ycur THuatriona predecessor, with tbote: views on this subject . and with whose line of .action* we are, awara that you are in full acoord. _, ~ It is ouc earnest prayer that your episcopate . may be blessed" to yourself and your people ; that health, strength, and a long life may ba vouchsafed to you, and that when ia due time you leave the ohuroh on earth yoa may enter - into the " joy of your Lord," bearing with yott; the sheaves from a haryesb of faithful souls. Society of thk Bacrbd Heart Congregation of the Children of-Mabs Confraternity of Ocr Lady of Pbrpbttjau Succour _ Confraternity of the Holy Famix* Ladies' Association of Charity Dunedin Catholic Literary Society. Master W. Miller, on behalf of the boys of the Christian Brothers' School, presented the following address :—: — Address from the Boys of the Christian Brobaoro to Wb Lnrdship th,e Moat Rev. Dr * Verdon, Bishop of Duuedin. May ifc please your Lordship, — ' It is wick feelings of devotion an 3 reverenoe that we, the pupils of the Cbristitin Brothors, and now the faithful children of your flock, bid you a " ctai millefailthe " on thia your first visit to our school. We have heard with pleasure from our parents and benchers of y>uc saintly life and scholarly atbainmen's — how you devoted the early days of your priesthood in the " Island of Siints and Doctors" in preparing worthy young men for the ohuicli ; how later on yoa were engaged in a similar mission in the "Eternal City" under tbe shadow of Sfc. Peter's; and how later still his Eminence Cardinal Moran. placed you at the head of tho premier college o£ Australia. 16 is. no wonder, then, that tbe Holy Father in his wisdom should have selected, you to fill the place of our lato , baloved bishop. We assure you we fed grate* , fuL to his Holiness for this token of his affection and love. We ase all delighted at your appointment, as vre can learn from your distinguithsd career in j the colleges that you are nob only a p i*rou of i loarning, but likewise a profound' onaenpioa o£ tbe Catholic' faith. This faith we are glwl to tall you we prize above all gifts. For the tub 12 months, vro have- not receded in the leasts from the teaching of your saintly predecesior,, whom we ihall never forget in out prayers. Our good and zealous prjestß, aided by tha devoted brother*, have left nothing undone to make us good and faithful Catholics and loyal members of your fljtk Until it was finally decided that jour Lord* slip would be consecrated ia Danedin we had no idea thab wd would have the rare pleasure oi seeing you surrounded by so masy eminent. and distinguished churchmen. We would gladly thauk his Eminence Car* * diiutl Moran, the archbishop and bishop*, for their presence ou this solemn occasion of jour cousecration, but we feel ourselves quite tinequal to tha task ; we would then ask your Lordship to convey to them our' warmest love, . respect, and reverence. As we know you prize learning next to holiness of life, you maybe pleased (o hear that 1 eight of us were successful at tho university and civil service examinations held last mid* summer. l In conclusion, we promise to be ever you* faithful and obedient children in Christ. (S : gocd on behalf of the boys), William P. Millhjt James S. Coujhb John W. Wilkins. f • A THE BISHOP'S REPLY. Bishop Vekdon, in replying, said:— « Very Rsv. and Eev. Brethren, and dearly beloved children in Christ, — I am deeply grateful to you for the very cordial welcome which I received from you on my arrival in this diocese, and I thank ybu most sincerely for the many beautiful ade'rettus which you hay« presented to mo this evening. To you in the first place, veneroble and rev. brethren, I turn with feelings of tbe most affectionate regard. In the wonderful ways of Divine Providenceniy lot is now irrevocably cast with your*. God, who oftena selects the weakest and apparently most incapable instruments for tfce accomplishment of his designs has deigned to raiso me to the episcopal dignity and has appointed me to rule over the diocese of Dunedin. I am aware of the great responsibility that I assumed this morning when 1 received the episcopal consecration. ■ I know I shall have to answer to God for the •oulß of those who h*ve been committed to my care. I*m conscious of my own weakness, bub 1 trust in Him who is all-powerful. "He is the God of my help, and my hope is in God." You, venerable and reverend brethren, are appointed by God to bs my fellow-labourers in this chosen vineyard of the Lord. Upon your.' faithful co-operation muit largely depend tha. success of my administration. Your interests, are bound up with nrioe. You r »9 well aa I •hall have to account to God for the souls com* twisted to our charge. It ia, then, with great, joy that I leceive your assurances of hearty cu-operatton and loyal service*. With a hearb oveiflowing with gratitude, I thank God who has granted me such .zealous and prudent assistants upon whom I may rely for abundant aid in carrying on the government of this im* portant dioce«e. Tbe fame of your virtues add jour zealous labours has spread to d-Vanti lunds. Under the guidance of your beloved bishop, my illustrious predecessor, your labours have been ciowned with success. Your loyalty and devotion to that great bishop and tho teverentitl love with which you chemh his memory give me even stronger assurance than your words that I shall have the hearty co-operation of a body of priests, who are thoroughly dtvobed to the interests— « educational and religious —of the people • entrusted to their charge. When I think of tho work" thab has been done daring "the past 25 years, when I glance over the list of tha important buildings that have been erected— this beautiful cathedral and tho noble convenb of the Dominican Nuns, the churches and sohools that adorn every patt of this favoured diocese — I am filled with admiration of tha administrative capacity of your beloved and venerated bishop. There are indeed many f.'lorious monuments of his zeal and energy. Bat such works could not have been accom« pUshed without the assistance of a thoroughly earnest, self-sacriQciag, devoted body of clergy,or without the material assistance afforded by a generous, faithful people. You, dearly beloved children in Christ, have faithfully co< operated with your pastors in every good work that has been inaugurated during the past 25 years. You incited strengthened and com* forted your bishop in the arduous labours of hie exalted office. Your promise of continued support to the extent of your power encourages me to hope for the happiest results* from one labours. The obligation of constantly advanc* ing to meet the requirements of an everincreasing Catholic population must, indeed, necessarily entail many demands upon yeuc resources. ' Bub God will bless you for wh»t« ever you do- for tbe advancement of holy reh* Ribn i Ho will repay you a hundredfold for

whatever sacrifices you make for His service. It is * very treat consolation to me to find that there are so many flourishing confraternities and religious societies in this diocese. You nay rest assured, dearly beloved children in Christ, that I will encourage yon in your effort* ftnd that I will endeavour as far as I can to extend your sphere of usefulness. Under efficient pastoral guidance the confraternities and Catholic societies are capable of producing incalculable benefits. Your endeavour, as you tell me, "has been to inculoate personal piety and the realisation of Christian duty at all times and under all circumstances, to promote ißOcial intercourse amongst Catholios and forward ~he intellectual culture of Catholic youth." Nothing could be more praise* worthy than such endeavours. Persevere, (hen, in the path that your revered and beloved bishop marked oat for you. It will be my endeavour to protect and cherish •ny good work er custom or praotice that my revered predecessor has established, and to perfect and bring to a happy termination every work that he h»s begun. I shall encourage the growth of your confraternities, and I shall rejoice to see them extending through every district of this diocese. Bs constant then in your devotion to the Sacred Heaxt of Jesua. Be faithful Children of Mary ; have great confidence in her intercession and you will briag down great blessings upon yourselves and upon the whole of this diocese. Let your lives be modelled on the lires of Jesus, Mary, ■ and Joseph. ' The years which the Holy Family spent in retirement in their humble home at Naz»reth were intended for your instruction. Your confraternity will encourage you to practise in your own households the virtues of the Holy Family. The fact that a flourishing branch of the St. Vinoent de Paul Society exists in this city is an assurance that the wants of our poor , suffering brethren are attended to. May* the charity of your eaintly founder ever animate your society, and may the generosity of our faithful people supply you with abundant means to oarry on your work of mercy. The presence of the Hibernian Society here this evening and the beautiful address they presented to me have been an additional aource of pleasure to me. The honoured name that you bear, dear friends, is a guarantee that you will be faithful to church and State. In this free land the sons of Ireland must vie with the Engluh and the Scotoh in building up.and welding together one great and prosperous nation. And I Bay without hesitation that there will not be found in this country any more loyal subjects or more chnritable or law-abiding citizens than the Irish Catholios. But I say furthermore, that in proportion as you are true to the faith and the land of your fathers, and glory in the name of Irish Catholic, so will you be faithful to this land of your adoption. Tbe children of St Patrick have planted the faith in mtny lands. The memory of what your fathers have dona and suffered for the faith encourage you to persevere in the right' path. Keep the memory fresh, then, but. let no jarring sounds ever disturb the harmonious relations that should exist between all tbe members of our fold. Whilst listening to the many addresses that have been presented to me this evening I have been greatly impressed^ and I must say greatly pleased, by the unanimity of your views regarding the very important question of education. As you have observed, a considerable portion of- my life has been devoted to the.cause of education. In Ireland, and in the Irish College of Rome, as well as in the ecclesiastical seminary of Manly is New South Wales, I was engaged for many years in the work of training young Levites for the sacred ministry. I need ecarcaly tell you, then, that I take the deepest interest in the education of youth I endorse every word that you have said about the necessity of providing a truly religious education for our children, and the ia justice of forcing - Catholios to contribute to tho maintenance of schools to which they cannot conscientiously fiend their children. I shall not swerve from the course pureued by the late zealous and prudent bishop. I shall endeavour to extend as far as possible to all our children the benefits of a good sound Catholiceducation. I will encourage you, very rev. brethern, to maintain and improve, as far as possible, the efficiency of our schools, and I will encourage you all, priests and people, to persevere in your efforts until you obtain the justice for which you have unceasingly laboured. We have many flourishing schools and highly gifted teachers in this diocess. The Christian Brothors are known over the world as efficient instructors of youth. In Australia as well as is Europe their efforts have been crowned with success, and I have reason to believe that the boys trained by bhe Christian Brothers of Dunedin are as well taught and as well prepared for the battle of life as the boye of any State school in th« l*ud. I noted with satisfaction in your address, my dear boys, that at the last public examinations eight' of your number passed the oivil service or university examinations. Need I reifer to tha school conducted by the Dominican nuns P These highly accomplished .ladies, with a disinterestedness that springs from the pure love of God, have renounced the pleasures of the world, and have devoted themselves to a life of continual labour in order that they may impart to your children the blessings of a good religious education. Their intellectual gifts and their superior training qualify them for tbeir. task. Your children may acquire in their schools a plain, solid education or the highest accomplishment, according as you desire. But, above all this, your children will, day after day, be influenced by the pure, mortified lives of their teachers. They will learn to put a propsr value on purity, humility, and obedience, and they will go forth from the schools adorned with virtues that are the brighest ornaments of womanhood. We will then be true to our cause. We will labour steadily to extend our schools and increase their efficiency. And as you, very rev, brethren, truly say in your address, our fellowcoloniste, when they realise our unswerving fidelity to prinoiple, will come to believe that the cause is truly just, and will join in enabling us to secure the rights for which we have faithfully worked. And now, venerable and rev. brethren and .dearly .beloved children in Jesus Christ, whilst I thank God^wibh all my heart 'for your kind aud affectionate greetings, let me entreat you to be mindful of me in your prayers. Implore the Almighty to give me light and strength and courage to' discharge my duties faithfully, and I will offer up my most fervent prayers for you. May .the Giver of all good gifts shower down His choioast blessings upon you. " The graca of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the charity of God, and the communication of the Holy Ghost be with you all." (2 Cor. xii). At tbe conclusion of the. reply the Very "Rev Father Lynch, in loud and distinct tones, voiced the following words of welcome :— " Illußtrissimus et Reverendisßimaa Dominns Domiaua Michaelis Verdon, hujus Xcclense Antistes, Episoopus noster hodie consecratus ad multos annos" (Most illustrious and Most Reverend Lord Michael Verdon, the Ruler of this Church, our Bishop oonsecrated to-day. May he live for many years). The choir took up the "Vivat," and tbt ooagregation then <U«>erje<l.

During the conrae of the service the organist (Mr Vallis) played an andante in A flat (Gullmant) ; Angels' Serenade (Braga) ; " O for the wings of a dove " (Mendelssohn); and Handel's " Hallelujah Chorus." BISHOP VERDON. The Most Rev. Miohael Verdon, D D;, who wai yesterday oonsecrated second Bishop of Dnnedin, was bom at Liverpool on the 15th December 1838 of Irish parents, his father being a native of Loath aad bis mother a native of Kildare. At the age of 12 he was sent to the Vincantian College, at Castleknock, County Dublin, and spent four years there in his preliminary studies for the ministry. After this be went to Rome and continued his studies, and took his coarse in philosophy, theology, and oanon law at the Irish College there, but before nil studies at Rome were quite completed his health broke down, and he was obliged to return to Ireland, where, on the 28th December 1861 ha was ordained by Cardinal Oallen. H« was attached to the diocese of Dublin as priest, and became professor and subsequently rector of Holy Cross College, Olonliffe, where he was for 19 years. At the request of tbe archbishops of Ireland he went to Rome in January 1880, to assist Dr Kirby, Archbishop of Ephesns, in the management of the Irish College, and his connection with that institution was maintained until, at the invitation Cardinal Oullen, he proceeded to Sydney in May, 1888, to be the first rector of St. Patrick's Ecclesiastical Seminary, which had just been erected by Cardinal Moran at Manly, at a cost of between LGO.QQO and L 70.000. Every where— in Ireland, in Rome, and in Australia — Bishop Verdon'a administration has been conspicuously successful The ooliege at Manly was opened with five ecclesiastical students in 1888, but there are now over 60 studying for the priesthood, among whom are several from Ne«r Zealand, including three from the diocese of Dunedin, and the first ordinations of students to the priesthood took place last year. After the second Plenary Council in Australia, the Cardinal Archbishop and the Australian prelates, desiring to have an accredited represantative in Rome, and bearing in mind Dr Verdon's large experience, requested him to proceed In thit capacity,^ and he was actually at Melbourne on hie way to Italy when he received the news of his appointment aa Dr Moran's successor in the bishopric of Dun- j edin. Bishop Verdon is a nephew of the late Cardinal Cullen and first cousin of Cardinal Moran.