EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 306, 28 December 1939, Page 9

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

TO BE HELD IN WELLINGTON PAPAL LEGATE TO ATTEND WELLINGTON, Dec. 23. An official statement on the New Zealand Centennial National Eucharistic Congress to be held in Wellington from February 1 to 4, 1940, was made by his Grace the Most Rev. Thomas O’Shea, Archbishop of Wellington, and Metropolitan of New Zealand. Archbishop O’Shea said that his Holiness, Pope Pius XII. in his first Encyclical, "Summi Pontilicatus,” two months ago, stated to the world that “from the movement of the Eucharistic congress, furthered with loving care by our predecessors, there flow forth iountams o£ grace and reserves of strength which could hardly be sufficiently prized in the present time, when threats are more numerous, needs multiply and the conflict between Christianity and anti-Christian-ism grows more intense." It was the proud privilege of the Catholic Church in New Zealand to sponsor a National Eucharistic Congress, said the archbishop. Its implications grew in importance now that the world was at war. It stood as a source of "Reserves of strength' not only for this young country but for the darkening and war-torn world. Had the war not come, France would have ponsored the International Eucharistic Congress in Nice in September, 1940, but now that, once again, the French nation was fighting for its liberties, this outstanding event of the Catholic world had unfortunately had to be postponed. With the exception of possible regional congresses in the United States, the National Eucharistic Congress in Wellington would be the sole Eucharistic Congress of a year momentous not only for Christianity but for civilisation. Position of Legate Since the signing of the Lateran Treaty in 1929, the Pope enjoyed temporal sovereignty, being sovereign of the tiny State of Vatican City. Subject to no civil authority on earth, but a king in his own right, he was able to i give undivided attention to his august ! office. Diplomatic representatives of I many nations, including Great Britain, were accredited to him. In consequence, a legate was representative not merely of the Pope in his spiritual authority, but was the representative of a recognised temporal sovereign. Such a legate received, as of right, all diplomatic privileges. To gain a parallel, his position was akin to that of the Governor-General of a British Dominion in his capacity as a Viceroy. Tfle effect of the Lateran Treaty was Jiade manifest in the diplomatic privileges accorded by the British Government to the representatives of the Pope on the occasion of the Corona-

tion of Their Majesties, the King and Queen, in London in 1937. Hobson Street Residence The problem of providing a suitable residence had been obviated by the gracious offer made to him by Mr. and Mrs. lan Duncan, in virtue of which their home in Hobson Street, would become the official residence of the Papal Legate. Accompanied by his suite, including the Right Rev. Monsignor King, 0.8. E., and Dean Crowley, of Sydney, his Excellency would take up residence on his arrival on January 23. Religion And Nation "It is indeed fitting that in this centennial year, amid the commemorations of New Zealand's material progress as a nation, the great part that religion has played and must play in the future (if we are to consolidate that progress) should worthily be recognised," continued Archbishop O'Shea. “In furtherance of this need the Catholic Church, in sponsoring the Eucharistic Congress, would make a striking contribution to the New Zealand centennial celebrations. The church throughout New Zealand’s history had played its part, working in harmony with the State, in the building of the nation. It no less desired to offer its co-operation now that the country celebrated the achievements of the first century of its existence. The congress represented the principal contribution of the Catholic Church to the present fitting recognition of the centennial but only secondary in importance was her participation in the exhibition in the form of the Catholic pavilion. Throughout New Zealand there were encouraging signs of an evergrowing interest. It was expected that with the added attraction of the Centennial Exhibition, and notably of the Catholic Pavilion many thousc.lids of Catholics would be coming to Wellington for the first week in February. "Thus," concluded his Grace, ‘ the stage is being prepared for a truly outstanding event in the Catholic, and indeed in the religious life of New Zealand as a whole. May the fruit ol the congress be the fulfilment of the Pope’s words, that ‘reserves of strength’ will come, not merely to this country, but to the lands that lie far beyond our shores.” OFFICIAL PROGRAMME The official programme for the congress is:— Wednesday, January 31.—8 p.m., reception for congress members at National Art Gallery. Thursday, February I.—ll a.m., Pontificial High Mass, St. Patrick's College ground; 2 p.m., meeting of Missionary Union of the Clergy; 4 p.m.. Priests’ Eucharistic Hour; 8 p.m., men's night. Friday, February 2.— Children's morning; 11 a.m., Pontificial High "Mass, St. Patrick's College ground; 3

p.m., unveiling of monument to the late Archbishop Redwood at Karorf Cemetery; 8 p.m., Maori concert, Town Hall. Saturday, February 3. Women's morning; 9 a.m., Pontificial High Mass for Religious, St. Mary of the Angels, Boulcott Street; 11 a.m., Pontificial High Mass, St. Patrick's Coljlege ground; 2 p.m., garden party, Sacred Heart Convent, Island Bay; i !p.m., Youth Pageant, Town Hall. Sunday, February 4.—7.30 a.m., Low i Mass, General Communion, Holy I Name Society, St. Patrick's College I ground; 11 a.m.. Pontificial High Mass, ISt. Patrick's College ground; 2.30 p.m., Procession of Blessed Sacrament. 1 Monday, February 5. —Maori celebrations at Otaki.