LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5310, 17 March 1884, Page 3

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE.

(PEB UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, March 16.

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of St. Patrick's College took place this afternoon, before fully four thousand persons. In honor of the occasion, solemn High Mass was celebrated at the cathedral by the Rev. Father Ogora (of Auckland), assisted by Father Coffery (of Ashburton), Father Mulvahill; (Hawera), and Father Kirk (of Wanganui). The mass was celebrated in the presence of the Right Rev. Bishops Redwood (Wellington), Moran (Dunedin) and Luck (Auckland), the sermon being preached by Bishop Moran. In the afternoon, all the clergy assembled at the new college grounds. A procession was formed hurriedly, the altar boys carrying the cross lighted candles and holy water. The procession passed through a double line of aboutforty children, nearly all dressed in white gowns with blue capes, and white headdresses adorned with silver floral wreaths. Bishop Redwood laid the foundation stone, and addressed the as« semblage at some length. He said that the college which was about being built would

enable their Catholic children to receive a sufficiently high education to fit them for their various walks in life. It was a fact, he said, that up to tho present their children were not receiving that education which j their religion desired. Another object of the college would be to enable those of the children who wished to join the priesthood to study for that calling. At present many who were so desirous were debarred from it because the cost was too much to go home and Btudy. In speaking as to the doctrines of the Roman Catholic belief, he asserted that the University of Oxford owed its existence to the Roman Catholic Church, and that science owed its present strides to the same cause. In conclusion, he stated that the reason the present building was to be called " St. Patrick "was that the greater part of the congregation were Irish. He hoped the people of Wellington, not only his own followers, but those of other denominations', would come forward and liberally contribute to the buildings. BishopMoranand Bishop Luck aluoaddresßed the assemblage. There were about thirty of th.c clergy present, and the weather was beautifully fine. March 17. The offerings at the laying of the foundation stone of St Patrick's College yesterday slightly exceeded £1200. Bishop Redwood gave £150, and it is understood each of the other Bishops gave an equal amount. Vespers -and the Benediction of the Holy Sacrament were celebrated in th£ s Cathedral before an immense congregation. The procession had to be abandoned, as the church was so crowded. Bishop Luck preached at High Mass in the morning. There was also a very large congregation, and Bishop Moran preached at both services. There was magnificent music, the choir being greatly strengthened, and a full band added to the organ. At the laying of the foundation stone, Bishop Redwood read a letter from the Roman Catholic prelates of Australia, regretting their inability to attend, and expressing their best wishes for the institution.