CONFIRMATION AT ST. PATRICK'S, AUCKLAND, CATHEDRAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 38, 17 January 1874, Page 9

CONFIRMATION AT ST. PATRICK'S, AUCKLAND, CATHEDRAL.

('Herald,' Dec. 3.) On Sunday last St. Patrick's Cathedral was thronged with an unusuaUy lergp congregation to witness the interesting and imposing ceremony of the administration of the sacrament of confirmation tj the lavge number of one hundred and forty children. At the nine o'clock mass, which was conducted by the Bishop, they had all received hcly communion to prepare them for the devout participation in the solemn ceremony which was to take plane at the conclusion of the last mass The unusually large number of candidates, and the graceful manner in which they were attired for the occasion — the g.rls wearing white dresses and veils descending from wreaths encircling their heads, the boys also being appropriately attired, bearing sashes and othe: 1 emblems o< sodality, — gave an animation to the scene wh c i was at once most < difying and affecting. They were arrxnged by h • tnemberß of the ihrL-tian Doctrine Society, and occupied that poiti tf of the church immediately in front of the sanctuary. At the conclusion of the mass (the Key. W. McDonald being the celebrant), Ul3 Lordship the most Rev. Dr Croke, vested in stole, mitre, &c, and holding hi-< crosier, preached from the altar a sermon of magnificent eloquence and powerful impressiveness. Considering that it exceeded considerably over an hoar in delivery, it would be .-imply impossible, however inclined one might be, ta give within ordinary limits a developed account of it j. but suffice it to say, that it was one of great diocesan importance ; embracing first the present steadfast religious and Catholic condition of the Auckland diocese ; and secondly the means to its steady progress in the future; both aspects beii g exhaustively treated, and in a manner, with practical force and eloquence, for which the learn -d and gifted prelate is remarkable. It miyht' however, be mentioned that His Lordship alluded appropriately"' on this occasion, in terms of earnest pleasure, to the prosperous coudinon of the Cathoi'C schools, and enjoined parents to insist on lnmu study of lessons, and regular attendance by their children. He al-o commended the recent establishment of the Catholic Temperance Society, and spoke most effectively on the question of intemperance. In the course of Ins remarks His Lordship indicated the various clas 3e33 e3 of persons to whom respectively the "pledge" is either essential, or who sl.ouUi take it, hy reason of the numerous resulting b.-ncfits. His Lordship then addressing himself especially to the children, discoursed to them in his wonted manner of happy simplicity, and suited to the occasion m whidi th«y were engaged— describing the ln-tory iind nature of the sacrament they were about to receive, its necessity and efficacy, the preparation requisite for its woithy reception, and finally, by whom and how the ceremony should be perlormed. After tins introductory discourse, His Lordship then and there personally, and, as is customary, interrogated the children (first the boys and then the girls) on their Chiistiuu knowledge, and submitted them to a very searchinsr examination in the catechism taught them respectively by the clergy and nuns and the members ot the Christian Doctiiue Society, 'ihey all stood the te 8 t admirably. The sacrament was then administered by hands of the Bishou in the usual form, after which, and a slight interval of prayer, the whole of the children proceeded in pay procession to St. Patrick's school-room, where they sat down to a splendid breakfast that was spread for them by the Sisters of Mercy and the members of the Chrhtian Doctrine Society.