Dedication of the New Basilica

Southland Times, Issue 19554, 8 May 1905, Page 2

Dedication of the New Basilica

A NOTABLE CEREMONY. Some months ago the Homan Catholics celebrated what was then termed a '-‘redletter day ’i in the history of their Church in . Southland', when the founda-tion-stone of the new basilica was laid on the Tyne street site. From that day. lhe work of construction has been vigorously pushed on, and now tlhero stands on the section a building which is second to none in Invercargill in architectural beauty. Its more prominent features have been previously described in our columnsj and it only remains to say that, even now the basilica, though incomplete, shows to a large extent the beauty which was promised. Those present yesterday saw tho ■•hurch unadorned—naked’brickwork mot the eye where one usually sees nicelytempered painting or cement. The altar appointments were, not fitted with all the detail which would customarily bo observed. But one could realise that before many weeks are post all these imperfections will have been overcome, and ‘.l’-.at as the congregation meet week! after week to engage in divine worship they will assemlble in a buildingiof which they have no reason to be ashamed.

There was a large gathering of clergy to take part in the dedication ceremony. Among the visitors weraj Archbishop of Wellington, Dr. Redwood; Bishop of Christchurch, Dr. Grimes ; Bishop of Dunedin, Dr. Verdtm ; Monsignor McKay, Oarnaru ; Monsignor O’Leary, Lawrence ; Very Rev. Father O’Neill, Milton ; Fathers Cleary (Dunedin),O 'Donnell (Gore), .McMullan (Ranfurly), Lynch (Palmerston), O’Neill (Winton), and Delaney (Holy Cross College, Mosgiel). ’ r

The church was crowded some time before the service commenced, and hundreds of interested spectators remained outside. The special trains from the country were well patronised, principally by members and adherents of the Roman Catholic Church'. The service could not fail to impress, the ritual and ceremony being of a peculiarly solemn, and yet pleasing, character. The Bishop of Dunedin £Jhe Rev. Dr. Verdon) pontificated at High Mass and at the dedication. I’he choir, under the leadership of Mr R, Wills, rendered Farmer’s Mass in a most praiseworthy manner/ The solos were taken by Mesdumes Murphy, Delaney, Miss Kirvqan mid Messrs Pasco and Smith. Sirs Murphy also sang Gounod's ” Ave Maria,” with violin obligato by Mr W. Ferguson. The service at 11 o’clock Mass was preached by Archbishop Redwood, from Psalm 118, verse 28 ■ ” Thou art my God. and I will praisci Thee c Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee.” The Archbishop said that in the text the Royal Pro’phet had proclaimed himself the servant of God. That was what all should be, and all were bound to serve God in the manner in which He shoul-d require of them. By the very fact that God was our Creator, wo were bound to bo His subjeets a'nd servants, and were bound to obey Him and hearken to His commandments. God’s dominion over us sprang from His Own perfection and essence, and His right was absolute, being fettered or limited by no conditions whatever. It was immeasurably superior to any authority to which man might lay claim over his fellowman. His authority was also inalienable and universal. It extended not only to existent beings, men and angels, but to any number of possible beings that God might think fit to bring out of nothingness into existence. God had not only a right to our obedience, founded on tho strictest planes of justice, but He had also the right of property. As a man expected to’ receive tho fruits of his property for his own benefit. so God had a. right to expect service from man, who was His property in a manner and sense infinitely superior to any ownership of this world. God had also claims to obedience on the grounds of gratitude ; He was not only our Sovereign Lord, but our Sovereign benefacI or. The sanctifying grace tqhich gave us divine life cost the life, sufferings, ami death of Jesus Christ, and we were bound to repay IJve with love. Finally, it was to our highest interest to serve God in this world, as we would then be railed to a happiness so great that tho heart of man could hardly conceive it. The kind of service required was to '■' Fear Gdd and keep His commandments,” and to do this one must understand the commandments, and get special assistance fro'm God to keep them. This assistance was gained by prayer, and by the frequent and hoi J' reception of the Sacraments.

As a conclusion to his address, tho Archbishop said that he felt great joy at seeing so large a gathering to witness the opening of this temple to tho service of God. Ho felt proud that there was such a church in this beautiful town and he was sure that the Dean must be proud of the result of his efforts. It was a noble church, an Ornament to the city, to be admired for many years to come. At present it wgs in its rough state, but when completed it would be an object of beauty in the town. The dome was a splendid one—it was an imitation of the walls of heaven, and was there to excite memliers of the congregation to ttite discharge of their duty, and urge them not tw live in a humdrum way, disappearing at last like a speck on a rushing stream. He felt sure that there was no Catholic in the district who was not nobly proud to see this splendid church ejected so quickly; and they must feel that they owed a deep debt of gratitude to their learned Doan for his services in connection with it. He was sure the day would cdme wjhen it would be a thing of beauty, as well as of strength and dignity to the church in Southland, VESPERS. There was another large congregation nt. Vespers, when Archbishop Redwood pontificated, and Bishop Grimes preached; Ths latter took for his text the familial

words, “ How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord,” from the Psalms and St. Mat. thew, and proceeded to liken the joy felt by tho priests and people of this district at. tho building of this church, to that felt by the builders of the Temple. Tho people of the district had long yearned, for a temple as worthy as their limited means would allow them, to erect in honour of tho Most and at length they bad seen their aspirationa even more than fulfilled. Even those outside the congregation recognised tho devoted zeal of tho pastor and the genero-. sity of a faithful peopje in supporting him sd liberally in his laudable undertaking. His Lordship devoted the remainder ot his discourse to an appreciatory outline of the history of the Roman Catholic Church ; its foundation and first manifestation ; its defiance of and ultimate victory over Caesar ; its progress in spite of persecution and the uplifting, of schisms. The Churdh, divine in its origin, was to last to the end of time, and finally render into God’s hands the charge given tier. Tho solos in the vespers were taken by Mrs Murphy and Miss Kirwan. Miss Cooper sang Mascagni’s “ Ave Maria.” with 'cello obligato by Mr D. W. McKay.

At the conclusion of the service, Dean Burke, on bdhlalf of his congregation, thanked Archbishop RedwoJd for coming to officiate at the opening, even at great inconvenience to himself. Dr. Grimes he also thanked most heartily for delaying another engagement to attend here. It was hardly necessary to thank the other clergy, as they were, always ready and willing to assist one another, but nevertheless he did thank, them,: The chdir and orchestra received his hearty thanks for their efficient rendering of the music of the Mass. Tn conclusion, he announced that, with what would come in on the following day, close on £-700 would be added to the funds, wjhich was to him a most satisfactory contribution.

To the Editor.

Sir, —I cannot find words to express my ’disgust at soma of the proceedings in connection with the opening of the Roman Catholic Church yesterday. May 1 aski if religion is coming to the same climax as sport, viz., a money-making business ? No wonder tCite man from Ireland wrote to the, Commissioner of Crown Lands td know whether it was safe for him to bring his wife and family to the colonies.-—I am, etc., DISGUSTED PROTESTANT. 7th May.