OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue VI, 8 August 1903, Page 412

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

MEMORIAL SERVICES AT ST. PATRICK’S, AUCKLAND.

The memory of the illustrious Pope Leo XIII. was solemnised at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on the evening of July 28tli, in a manner eminently worthy of that great pontiff. The impressive dirge was rendered by the united priests in the sanctuary in a most effective and solemn manner. The attendance at the service was a record one. Every seat was occupied, and large numbers stood in the aisles. Among the seventy invited guests were the European Consuls, members of the City Council, and a few Anglican clergymen. The • hurch was tastefully decorated in the papal colours, purple and gold. The catafalque, draped with purple velvet and gold, was erected in the centre aisle before the high altar, and was surrounded by lighted candles. At the head of the cathedral was the papal coat of arms, which included the keys of Peter, surmounted by the Tiara, with stole. On the right of this was 11 is Lordship Bishop Loipl an’s coat of arms. “For Faith and Country,” and on the left was the Auckland Corporal ion’s coat of arms, “Advance Auckland.” Below, upon small shields, were the words: Born 2nd March. 1810; appointed Cardinal. 1853: consecrated Pope, 1S78; died 20th July, 1903. Somewhat over a thousand yards were used in the decorations, which will be left standing for some time. The Bishop presided over the dirge, and was supported by the Very Rev. Monsignor Paul. V.G., and the Rev. Monsignor O’Rvilly. The dirge commenced with the recital of the solemn office of the dead, Matins and lauds. The Matins consisted of three nocturnes, each of which comprised three psalms. The readers of the lessons in the first nocturne were Rev. Fathers Tormey. Holbrook and McGuinness: second. Fathers Darby, Brodie and Buckley; third. Rev. Father Egan, Right Rev. Monsignor O’Reilly, and His Lord-hip the Bishop. N< ?<t came a sermon by the Very Rev. Dean Hackett, of Paeroa, which was followed by 1 he lauds. The chantors were the Very Rev. Father Benedict. 0.P.. and Father Furlong. Father Pat tor-m. Adm., accompanying on Hie organ. The choir then sang the “Mi-ercrc” and “Boned ictus.” The soloists were Miss Donovan, Mrs. ITiscorks. Messrs. ( asier. Gnscott. Clark. Lonergan and Parish. The filial prayers and Bcm dicl ion were pronounc. 3 by the Bishop, after which the “Dead March” in ‘•Saul” was plaved. and the service concluded. The panegyric on the Pope, diliverod by the A ery Rev. Dean IFokett, was delivered in a mod eloquent manner, and is considered one of the most able sermons heard in the ( athedral for many years. In the course of his sermon the preacher said that to-day the eyes of 250,000,000 ( atholics were turned to Ronm, and the voice that spoke to all nations and all classes, from the Sovereign on his throne, to the workman in his pit. was silenced. The heart that beloved the poor, the suffering sons of toil, was stilled: the hand that steered the barque of Peter through troubled seas had fallen from the helm; the eyes of the watchful sentinel wore closed and sealed in death. This mourning was not confined to any one nation or people; it was worldwide

and universal. Leo was a great ruler, whose power came from the right hand of God, whose sceptre ruled over the willing hearts of man, whose throne rest* <-d not on the will of any nation. Greater was he than Abraham in power, than Alelebizedek in priesthood, than Moses in authority, than Samuel in jurisdiction. In him Catholics recognised the eentie of human faith, the infallible guide and shepherd of Christ’s flock militant, the cardinal point of all the churches. Today he is taken from his flock, Time and history will crown him with the name of Leo the Great. The preacher then briefly outlined the life of the Pontiff, whom, he said, had striven with uncompromising hostility to cheek the advance of atheism, materialism and socialism, which were very rampant when he ascended the throne. All combined forces against him, but he arose like a giant and smote them. His tactful suppression of the persecution in Germany was one of the glories of his reign. Leo always exhibited the greatest zeal in the cause of education, and was unswerving in bis efforts to uplift the poor. The speaker concluded by enjoining the faithful to offer prayers for the repose of the soul of the departed sovereign Pontiff, thus assuring him that their blessings follow’ him beyond the grave. On July 29th at nine o'clock a solemn requiem mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Patterson, Adm., Very Rev. Dean Hackett being deacon, and Rev. Father Brodie sub-deacon. His Lordship the Bishop presided, and the priests in attendance on the throne were the Very Rev. Monsignor Paul. V.G., and the Rt. Rev. Alonsignor O’Reilly. ‘’Libera Ale” and "Dies Irae” were chanted during mass before the catafalque. Prayers for the dead and special to the occasion were recited by the Bishop and priests. The congregation was very large, the whole of the seating accommodation being occupied. Those present included the Rev. Canon Nelson and Rev. Wilson, ami Consul-General Dillingham. U.S. After the service the. “Dead Ala reh” was played by. the organist.

THE VETERANS’ HOME. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES’ SYAIPATHY. A GREAT DEMONSTRATION. Though the weather did not altogether favour yesterday's United Friendly Societies’ Demonstration in aid of the Veterans' Home, the function was taken up with so much heartiness that Complete success was achieved, a remarkable gathering being seen. The demonstration was organised by the Friendly Societies’ Conference, the president of which IMr W. Knox), with the vicepresident (Air C. Little) and secretary (Air C. Wheeler), and All’ John AlcLeod (president of the Friendly Societies’ Dispensary), spared no effort in making the demonstration notable and financially successful. A large procession. which was thoroughly representative of the frien’i'y societies, formed at tlie Reservoir, Karaugah.ipe-road, early in the nfterno >u. and marched to the Drill Hall, Wellesley - street, where a great gathering was addressed by His Excellency the Governor (Lord Ranfurly). Bishop Ncligan, Father Patterson anil Bro. J. AleLeod.

THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH. His Excellency, who was received with loud applause, began by deprecating the Sunday gathering, to attend which he had consented only because no other day was considered possible for sueh a big gathering. (Applause.) He declared himself a great believer iu the good work done by Friendly Societies (Applause.) In this colony it was especially advisable that the societies should be supported, because too many people thought that the Government should do everything; whereas, he believed that the nation could only grow and continue strong by doing and thinking for itself all it could. (Applause.) It had been said to him by- one gentleman, who ought to know- something about it, that the patriotism of New Zealand would not stand the test of “pounds, shillings and pence;” but even if this were so (he hoped it was not) the colony had shown that it did not begrudge what was more important to the nation in time of danger—its men! (Loud applause.) The gentleman w-ho made the remark had evidently quite forgotten the incidents of the Maori war, when every man who could bear arms was put on the field, and did his duty- nobly; he had evidently' forgotten the fact that of the British soldiers who were sent out to that war many remained as settlers, an 1 their sons had iu them the martial blood of their fathers; and iu the late South African war there had never been any difficulty in recruiting men from the colony, and he believed had the pay been even nothing but the Imperial “Tommies’ ” pay they would have gone. With reference to the Home, he had been assailed with the argument that the Ilonve was not needed, that no one would go into it; the answer to that was the number of applications already in, in spite of the nou-advertisement of tlie fact that applications were being received. No less than 38 were in, and of the 40 beds in the Home, Auckland residents had applied for 20. This was argument enough to induce the province to lend its support to the Home. He gave an instance of an old man of OS who had fought in the Alutiny and in the China war, and when refused a position in the colony’s First Contingent had gone to South Africa and joined an irregular corps, finally finding his waybuck to the colony, wounded and poor. Ho hoped to have this man amongst the first inmates. (Applause.) He added that from the financial support he sawahead of him in the next six months he did not think it would be necessary to “pass round the hat” afterwards to maintain the Home, but it would be necessary for the Auckland public to make the plaee a success by visiting and honouring the inmates. (Applause. 1 ) !• or it was an honour to be an inmate, not a disgrace, since the character of the candidates had to be above reproach before they- could obtain admission. “It is a national memorial,” His Excellency concluded, "and I give the Home to you, ladies and gentlemen, I trust you 'will do your best both now and in the future to make the lives of the inmates as happy as lies in your power.” (Great applause and cheering.) A collection taken up realised about £ 50.