NOTABLE OCCASION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18332, 26 February 1934, Page 10

NOTABLE OCCASION

ARCHBISHOP’S JUBILEE INSPIRING CEREMONIES 20,000 PEOPLE ASSEMBLE (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. To-day was a. notable occasion in the history oi' the Homan Catholic Church of Mew Zealand as it saw tho commencement of the celebration ol the Episcopal Diamond Jubilee o.t Archbishop. Redwood. of Wellington, Metropolitan of New Zealand, who. at tho ago of 03 years, has almost completed GO years as a bishop. This is a record; also ho has been both the oldest and the youngest bishop in the Catholic Church. The celebrations commenced with Pontifical High Mass at the Bascilica, where a very large gathering assembled. Loud speakers enabled those in a neighboring hall and outside to hear the service. The High Mass, at which Archbishop licdwood was the celebrant, was preceded by a colorful procession of all the prelates and priests visiting Wellington. Beautiful singing by the choir was a feature or the service. During the service, there was placed upon Archbishop Eedwood ’a head the same mitre as was used when he was first consecrated iu London.

Tho occasional sermon was delivered by Dr. Gleeson, Bishop of Maitland. Among those present were Dr. Mannix, Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr. Nicholas, Bishop of Fiji, Dr. Fox, Bishop of Wilcannia, Dr. O’Shea, Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington, the Bishops of Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin, and many visiting clergy, including several from Australia. The distinguished assemblage of, civilians included the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, the Kt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, the Hon. E. Masters, the Hon. J. A. Young, Mr. M. J. Savage, Leader of the Opposition, tho Mayor of Wellington and members of the City Counicl, and the Consuls Ur Italy, Germany, China and Belgium.

A UNIQUE SPECTACLE Bright sunshine and a cloudless sky favored the afternoon ceremonies, which included a procession through the city streets from the Basilica near Parliament Buildings to' the Basin Reserve. The procession was a most imposing demonstration, which must have left an ineffaceable impression on spectators. It was headed by ,a band, following which were school children and college boys and girls wearing their school uniforms and colors. This was the youth of the church, and they made a lino and inspiring appearance. The scholars were followed by the bluecloaked Children of Mary, who added a pretty and picturesque touch to the occasion.

Then came members of the various elulreli societies and organisations comprising “old men and women, young men and maidens,” all giving their presence in honor of tho great occasion.

Tho clergy in their robes and the high dignitaries iu purple made a striking and dignified conclusion to the procession, at the end. of which was Archbishop Redwood in an open motor ear. His progress was accompanied by warmly sympathetic recognition from spectators, to which he responded with his blessing. The procession took approximately 40 minutes to pass a given point, and provided a spectacle which was unique in the history of the city.

The Basin Reserve was packed with people after the procession had filed in. From the gleaming white and gold high altar, 20ft. above the ground, Archbishop Redwood looked down on a vast sea of faces estimated at over 20,000, as he pronounced the solemn Benediction. A special choir sang and appropriate music was played froln the carillon overlooking the reserve. LIFETIME OF SERVICE. At the service at the Basilica, the preacher was the Bishop of Maitland, the Rev. Dr. Gleeson, who wild that the affectionate message from the Pope made them l'eel as if His Holiness were with them speVikihg in the name of Christendom and making their thanks to Gocl and their tribute to the jubilarian a world-wide act. They were there to acclaim the oldest member of the espiscopacy, the oldest not only in years, but in length of service, and to beg a Divine benediction upon him. They could not but have felt emotion when they saw the venerable archbishop bending at the altar fls years after lie had first seen the light, fit) years after 1 he had said his 'first mass, and (10 years after his consecration as a bishop, lie was a Cedar of Lebanon, indeed, in his noble aspirations and majestic appearance: in the power shown in building the temple of God in this land, and in the peace and comfort he had brought to others. The greater part of the history of the church in New Zealand entwined round him. He saw almost its beginnings, and ho had grown with it. Dr. Gleeson proceeded to trace, in eloquent words, the career of the archbishop from his youth up, stating that during his long episcopacy, his principal theme had been the Catholic home. His work* for education had resulted in the establishment of Catholic schools, in equipment and in scholarship worthy of the Catholic Church. The work of various religious institutions represented at the service provided one of the most beautiful symbols on the escutcheon of their archbishop. He had always assisted in works of charity and helped organisations for true Christian beneficence. The orphan, the foundling, the aged, the poor, the sick each found, in him, a hand to feed, clothe and soothe them and heal their wounds.

DREAMS BECOME REALITIES His Grace would say emphatically that his work had not been done singlehanded, hut that ho had gathered round him an efficient and devoted clergy. The union between the clergy and their chief pastor had been of a most affectionate nature. In religious and social questions, his instinct to see things in their proper perspective had helped him immensely, and gave him success where others had failed. This was the secret of his correct opinions and strong sympathetic convictions on the Irish question, the question

that puzzled so many of his countrymen and caused them to blunder so egregiously. He had seen many dreams become realities, and had experienced both successes and failures in spiritual and temporal things. Such u one was a power and a blessing among them. They should not forget his devoted Coadjutor, Archbishop O’Shea, whose privilege had been an intimacy and friendship not equalled by any other, and whose joy on this occasion must be unbounded.

Addressing Archbishop Redwood, Dr. Gleeson eoncludud eloquently: “Qnr prayer is that God, wh6 has kept you in His fatherly care for more than 90 years, may continue to love you and that, when the hour strikes, which is Hod’s secret, lie, may find you blessing Ilis Holy Name with the humble faith, gratitude and piety, with which you blessed it to-day, and that then He may make your passing easy to the realms of bliss, where' your jubilee day will last for evermore,”