THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI AT LEESTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 9, 20 June 1884, Page 23

THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI AT LEESTON.

Oub quiet little township was the scene of a very imposing and edifyiDg ceremony on Thursday last-the solemnity of Corpus Christi. In the forenoon, Mass was celebrated, when a large number of children were permitted for the first time to receive Holy Crnm inio i and thus become in a stricter sense true sharers in the commumo:i of saints. In the afternoon there were Rosary, renewal of baptismal vows, and Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament. For some timi past the children of a certain age, and of sufficient religious knowledge, Lad been preparing for the great event of their lives — their first communion — and they showed by their modest deportenoit and regular movements that whatever trouble was undergone by those interested was amply repaid, as not a single hitch occurred in all the arrangements. The entire ceremony reflects the greatest possible credit on Father Chervier, our beloved pastor, and adds oue more link to the alrady long chain of good work 9 which endear him to the Catholic people of JBllesmere. The children wic decently and modestly attired— the girls in white, wearing veils and wreaths, the boys being content with white rosettes ; thus they showe i in the material dress the spiritual purity and cleanliness of their pouls, and as they entered the church in procession were the objects of admiration, and must have reminded many of those present of their own happy first communion, far away from here. Father Chervier, in an eloquent sermon, explained to thi fortunate children the great blessings they were to receive from God on the occasion, and exhorted them to continue in the happy state of grace till the end of their lives, and never to become negligent or careless in their relt'»iou3 duties. The choir was ably presided over by Mis 3E. Holly, to waom the thanks of the settlers are due, both for the thorough training of the children in the art of singing, and also for the trouble taken with the girls, not only on Thursday last, but on all occasions. The little church was tastefully decorated with evergreens and such flowers as the place could afford. In a word, the day will long be remembered in -the district. Leeston, June 14, 1831. M.