CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 313, 18 April 1879, Page 14

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own Correspondent.) The solemn services of Holy Week were commenced at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Barbadoes Street, on Wednesday evenine when " Tenebrse " was sung by a full choir. 9119 11 H ? ly . Thursday, Solemn Mass was celebrated at 8 a.m., the blessmg of the Holy Oils took place, and the Blessed Sacrament was carried to the Repository. A large number of persons received Holy Communion. Tenebne was sung in the evening, and a sermon preached by the Rev. Father Donovan of Lyttelton ; during the day the "Altar of Repose " was visited by hundreds of worshippers including the various confraternities of the parish, devotions being continued until midnight, at which hour the church was closed On Good Friday, the office appointed for the day was celebrated 2?v x. mornm £» and > notwithstanding the recent addition to the Church, there was barely sufficient room for the large congregation. At the preparation to uncover the Cross the choir sang • My People, what have I done to Thee" in a manner which could not well be surpassed for the beauty of its mournful pathos, and indeed the choir cannot be too highly praised for the singing, which throughout the week contributed so materially to the solemn impressiveness of the worship. The stations of the cross at 3 p.m. were followed at 7 o clock by " Tenebrea," after which an eloquent sermon on the passion of our Divine Lord was preached by the Rev. Father Ginaty Devotions were continued on Holy Saturday and there must have been nearly two hundred communicants on Easter Sunday— on that day after 11 o clock mass the Blessed Sacrament was exposed for adoration, and up to vespers the Church was thronged with worshippers. After vespers solemn procession of the Blessed Sacrament took place areund the interior of the church. A sermon by the Rev. Father Ginaty and Benediction bringirg to a close a week which will doubtless long be remembered as one of special graces in this parish On Thursday evening after devotions, the H.A.C.B. Society Branch. No. 82, met in St. Patrick's Hall,— the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed ; some accounts passed for payment ; there members initiated, and three persons nominated * ad^i«°« tO , * he br ° th «-hood. A letter from the Secretary of the Oddfellows' fete committee inviting the Branch to join a procession to the ground selected for their sports on Easter Monday was then considered, and it was unanimously agreed that the Society should join the other friendly societies as requested. Great satisfaction was expressed by nearly all present at the friendly spirit evinced by the invitation. On Easter Monday the members of the HAC B S met in. regalia at St. Patrick's Hall, in order to join the procession of the friendly societies ; the country members of the Oddfellows were escorted to the Hall of the latter by the Hibernian Band and although the day was very unfavourable for any out-door enjoyment the programme of the sports committee was carried out, the utmost good feeling was displayed by all concerned. It will be remembered by your readers that on the eve of the departure of Father McNamara for Wellington an address from the societies of which he had been chaplain was read to him. It has now been beautifully illuminated and engrossed on vellum. Ihr> artist being Mr. F. C* East of the Lyttelton T\inet. In the mai gin a handsome monogram of the Society of Mary is introduced, as also a drawing of the church, the address has been handsomely framed and will be forwarded to Wellington in a few days.