RECEPTION AT HOKITIKA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 314, 25 April 1879, Page 11

RECEPTION AT HOKITIKA.

rf!h l- S \ X mO c n xT S ago there arrived in Hokitika a community of eight bisters of Mercy and two Postulants from Ennis, where their MnStt* T % S1 i UafG f J hey came hither at the ca ™ e st Sliest of Si r^ WOod ' Bish °P of Wellington, and of Hey. P. Martin, Avho has the administration of the district WplW?« tW ° y ! a f t iuce> Mother Cecilia of the convent of Mercy, JStaST^Sf l?EnrO ? e to P rocu re Sisters to Meet the pressing cf V T^L m f' e^ ng P°P^ ati «n, and to solicit aid for the » mL t 1 v buildings. Rev. Father Martin, knowing the £ Jfrt^n ?f lha *? q £ eSted ber to P rocure a foundation for Hoki! tika; and well the s good Sister fulfilled her commission, for to-day we have a splendid community, excellent schools, and extensive an^Pi^f rGfleCt Credit on the P e °P le of the parish Advent fn 1, n f at a l°- St ° f °7 er * S > m have beeQ established and are now ™T£t l T 7°S ng ° r , der - ,To sa y that the schools are a great sue C3ss is but admitting what all admit who know anything of the efficiency of the Sisters of Mercy in imparting a thorough Iducation. m thl 9flM if' TST S heU in high eSteem here vas am P^ testified W?»v.«i U i i, tbe rumour gained ground that the two Postulants who bad heroically left their native land and all its endearing associations, were to receive the « White Veil." Having spent eight SS, w««£ P/eparing themselves for the important stepf a procesnX n f m the Convenfc g^nds at 5 p.m. in the following MprovT^ 088 ;^ 1.,1 '.', y° un S ladies dressed in white; Sisters o! IZ7J * hreehtte e lrs beautifully dressed in white lace, scattering ?Tn^nt/ftT P £r etty baskets, and the two postulants Miss Kate Molony (Sister Mary Patrick), and Miss Kate Eyan (Sister Mary Columr°S- s P e i tat o rs line d the way through which the procession passed. This was the first religious reception ever witnessed here, and the numbers of people in and around St.- Mary's Church testified what a deep interest was taken in the ceremony. As the procession moved slowly up the centre aisle of the church all eyes were fixed on the two young ladies attired in robes of glace white silk, tastefully trimmed with duchess lace and satin ; their white lace veils were surmounted by wreaths of flowers while the effect of the wliole was intensified by the richness and brilliancy of their jewellery • « Jv ng frrived at the High Altar, the young ladies took possession of the places assigned them by the Rev. Mother, who accompanied them through all the stages of the ceremony. His Lordship the Most Key. Dr Redwood, in cope and mitre, assisted by Rev. Fathers Martin, Mccaugby and Claffey, issued from the sacristy, and having spent some moments in prayer, proceeded to bless the candles, habits, and white veils. Ths blessing being over, the postulants received the

lighted candles from the bishop and then retired to their places. His .Lordship then arose aud preached a powerful discourse from these words : " Aud every one that hath left house or brethren, or sisters, or tether, or mother, or wife, or children, or laud for my name's sake shall receive a hundred-fold, and shall possess life everlasting " In ft clear, eloquent manner he explained the nature of the religious life pointing out its advantages to the Sisters themselves, and to Society at large. He concluded an able discourse which had been listened to throughout with marked attention by addressing encouraging words a** ?" oung QOvic es to persevere in the good work they had begun. After the sermon the young ladies advanced to the Bishop's throne, 2? i?- J 1 clear distincfc manner answered the questions put by S e «. P" Thea tbe novi ces, accompanied by the Rev. Mother and Mother Assistant withdrew to the sacristy, and after some time came forth— no more in the gay brilliant attire of brides, but clothed m the long, dark robes of the Sisters of Mercy. The bishop presented the cinctures, veils, and habits, aud the Rev. Mother completed the invosture. The benediction of the B. Sacrament terminated an event that will be long remembered by the large congregation who had the privilege to be present. For the first time in the history of Hokitika two young ladies, highly accomplished, graceful, with grand prbspects before them in the world, came of their own free will to request the privilege to live in religion, and devote themselves to the service of God and their neighbour. On the following day the bishop visited the sisters' schools, which were neatly decorated for the occasion. His Lordship examined the children in the different branches of instruction, and the ready precise answers showed careful training and reflected greatly to the credit of the sisters. The children theu entertained his Lordship with several pieces of excellent music, both vocal and instrumental, and their rendering of the different pieces was accompanied with a taste and skill that gave high hopes of the future of St. Columbkili's Convent. One of the children then read the following address to the Bishop :— May it please your Lordship, We, the Convent children, with hearts bounding with joy, are delighted to see your Lordship in our new Convent. When, some days since, your visit was first intimated to us, we offered a prayer for your safe arrival. Your Lordship, we have always been pleased at your visit to Hokitika, but to-day we are proud in the midst of our dear Sisters to welcome you, and thank you for the great and boundless favour you have conferred upon us in giving us such dear Sisters and accomplished instructors. It was ever a source of pleasure to us to know that you had a special regard for the people of the West Coast ; but, your Lordship, we never expected your kinduess to go so far as to confer upon us in conjunction with our Reverend Pastor and dear * ather such unparalleled happiness as the introduction of the Sisters ot Mercy into our midst. We are indeed specially favoured, and we hope by good conduct, diligence, and earnestness to show that we are grateful to you, to dear Father Martin, and the Sisters, who with such care our dearest interests. Already, niy Lord, we remark with pleasure and pride the benencial.influence of the Sisters in our regard : we come to school with delight fur we know that smiles of welcome await our arrival ; the zeal and devotedness of our teachers encourage us, and the kind word of approbation crowns our efforts. And you, my Lord, and our dear Pastor were chiefly instrumental in establishing so much that tends to our well-being in life, and our happine?-. hereafter. For all these exceptional favours, we heartily thank your Lordship, and will pray that you may be long spared to scatter around your diocese many like favours. His Lordship addressed the children at considerable length complimenting them on their proficiency in the various branches of study, and exposed a hope that they would show themselves worthy of their excellent teachers by their obedience, close application, and good conduct, in the course of his remarks he paid a high compliment to the Sisters, who had in so short a time, brought the schools to such a high degree of perfection. "H " Hokitika, April 6th, 1879.