EDIFYING SCENES MARK CATHOLIC MISSION ENDING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18901, 28 October 1929, Page 11

EDIFYING SCENES MARK CATHOLIC MISSION ENDING.

PAPAL BLESSING IS GIVEN TO MANY AT YESTERDAY’S SERVICES. Very edifying scenes were witnessed at the Catholic Cathedral from an early hour yesterday morning, when of the large congregations no fewer than 1634 received Holy Communion at the different Masses. The mission was brought to a close in the evening, when the Rev Father Cahill preached the final discourse on “Perseverance,” taking as his text the words: “But he that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved” (Matt. X., 22). He said congratulations were due to them for their fidelity and devotion over the past fortnight. They had not received in vain the numerous graces of those days, and in so far as their presence had often entailed sacrifice their reward would be greater. They had given consolation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who would repay them as He repaid those who followed Him, hanging on His words during the years of His mortal life, and He had for them the same compassion as for the people of those days. They had confidence that He was holding out for them the reward that He had prepared for those that hear His word and keep it. He, the preacher, would say to each of them, speaking for the last time: “Hold fast that which thou hast: let no man take thy crown.” It would be matter for anxiety to him if even one of them failed to persevere. The Bible, and the history of the Church, as well as their own daily experience furnished them with numerous examples of those who had been singularly favoured by Clod, had filled in their religion positions of trust, but whose end had been a dismal failure. It was the end, as the saying has it, that crowned every enterprise. Judging from his experience of them, of their generous response, he could say, “we hope and trust better thing of you,” but they must not close their eyes to the fact that their life was a warfare and arrayed them against powerful enemies, the greatest of which was their own weak natures. The must keep up the struggle year after year, day after day, against the world, the flesh, and the devil, but their faith told them that there were forces on their side mere powerful than those that opposed them. The missionary then recalled the rule of life which he had unfolded to them during the mission upon which their perseverance depended. Pie then imparted the Papal blessing with Plenary Indulgence to all who had made the mission. Finally, he expressed his deepest gratitude to his Lordship Bishop Brodie and clergy, to the religious. and to all who had contributed Inwards the success of the mission. Ilis Lordship feelingly replied that the congregation had never given him greater Xwoof than during the past fortnight of their love of the faith, and their eagerness to profit by all the spiritual advantages offered them. That closing Jay would;be ever remembered by the great demonstration of faith which they had given by the procession in the afternoon. FEAST OF THE KINGSHIP OF CHRIST. Some idea was conveyed to the thousands who were present yesterday afternoon in the Cathedral grounds of the grandeur of religious processions commonly witnessed on the Continent, and this year in the United Kingdom and in Ireland in connection with the centenary of Catholic emancipation. I>espite the threatening weather conditions of the morning, the afternoon proved fine, and the ceremony was carried out in its entirety. The burden in the preparation of the processional route through the grounds was carried out by the Marist Brothers and Sisters of Notre Dame des Missions, aided by many voluntary helpers. Before 3 o’clock a concourse estimated at over 6000 marched in procession past the main entrance of the Cathedral, where his Lordship Bishop Brodie, assisted by the clergy, stood bearing the monstrance beneath the canopy, which was carried by members of the Hibernian Society. Following the processional cross were the boys of the primary schools of Christchurch and suburbs and St Joseph's home. Middleton, under the care fo the Marist Brothers. The girls of the different convent schools under the direction of the Sisters of the Missions and Sisters of Mercy, the girls of Nazareth House and the orphanage at Mount Magdala came next. The women of all the parishes in Christchurch followed, then j the men, the Children of Mary, and. the; various junior girls’ sodalities, wearing ! their regalia. The guard of honour was ! provided by a party of. St Bede's Col-1 lege Cadets in uniform, whilst the students of the College and the members of the various Hibernian Societies walked behind the canopy. The profession traversed a route over a mile in length, encircling the large campus of the boys’ school, then entering into the girls' school grounds, and finally all units were assembled on the convent lawns in view of an altar which had been appropriately prepared for the Blessed Sacrament. Father Cahill briefly addressed the gathering on the appropriateness of their demonstration that day, of their loyalty to Christ their King. That He was de jure the King of the w T hole human race, of their minds, wills, and hearts, of their lives and persons, was expressed in the very idea of His office of Redeemer of mankind which He continued in His Church. The great Pope Pius XI., whose motto was. “The peace of Christ in the reign of Christ,” wished to emphasise in instituting the feast the deep influence over lives and conduct of individuals and of society they might look for from the acknowledgment of this character of the Redeemer. At the conclusion of the sermon, the combined choirs rendered the Benediction hymns, and his Lordship Bishop Brodie, after expressing his deep satisfaction at the impressive sight they witnessed that afternoon, read the Act ot Consecration to the Sacred Heart The clergy taking part in the function were the Very Rev Father Gilbert, S.M., and the Rev Father O’Hare, assisting the Bishop as deacon and subdeacon: the Cathedral clergy, the Very Rev Dr Kennedy, Rev Fathers T. M’Monagle, J. Quinn and J. Carroll; St Mary’s, Rev Father Dignan, S.M.; Addington, the Very Rev Father O’Connor and Rev Father T. M'Keown; St Bede’s, Rev Fathers J. Monaghan, S.M., P. Scanlon, S.M., M. J. Burke, S.M., Revs C. Outtrim, S.M., J. J. Cullen, S.M., Papanui, Rev James Hanrahan; Riccarton. Rev T. Ilanrahan; New Brighton. Rev P. Madden; Lincoln, Rev O. Gallagher; Rev C. Ardagh (Dunedin), Rev J Gill. C.S.S.R , Rev F. Cahill, C.S.S.R. < Wellington'), Rev M. Fogarty (Darfield), Rev J. A. Kilgour (Rangiora); representatives of the Sisters of Nazareth, the Little Company of Mary < Lewisham ). Sisters of Mercy (Villa Maria and St Mary’s), and Good Shepherd, Mount Magdala, besides the Sisters of the Mission, Ferry Road and Addington, and the Marist Brothers, were also present.