ERECTION OF ST. PATRICK'S STATUE IN THE CONVENT GROUNDS, NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 31, 23 November 1888, Page 11

ERECTION OF ST. PATRICK'S STATUE IN THE CONVENT GROUNDS, NEW PLYMOUTH.

(From the Taranahi Herald, November 12.)

A VERT imposing ceremony took place on Sunday last (November 11) within the grounds of the Convent, which was witnessed by a large number of persona ; it was the blessing of the statue of St. Patrick, which had been placed in a shrine recently erected for it. The statue, which had been purchased by subscriptions raised among the ladies of the congregation of Sr. Joseph's Church, is quite a work of art, and the shrine consists of a small building of Gothic design, witb gias^ windows at ihe sides and in front. The latter was buut by Mr. Fischer, of Devon street, on the southern portion of the grounds, an 1 on t'ln, wi'h the fie; looking towards the C .nveut building, has the btitue "f St. Patric* been placed. Shortly after thicj o'clock on Sunday afternoon the Rev. Father Cassidy, having on his vestments and carrying in his handd the Monstrance, lrft the Convent chapel, proceeded by two acolytes with censers in which incense was burning ; and one of the altar boys, bearing a cross. Tney were followed by a procession consisting of the Society of Mary, with veils and wreaths of flowers on their heads ; etch also had a little basket of flowers with them. The nuns came next, and the children of the Society of the Sacred Heart, who wore i i red cloaks, with wreatbs of flowers on their heads, followed in t,e rear. In front of the shrine was laid a carpet, and on this thoie f blowing in the procession knelt, whilst the Rev. Father Oassidy placed tbe Monstrance at the feet of St. Patrick. The childien then chanted " The Litany of the Saints." after which the priest gave the " Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament," and that portion of the ceremony came to an end. The procession wa« then reformed. The »colytes went first with the cross and censers, and were followed by the children of the Society of the Sacred Heart, tbe nuns, andthe children of the Society of Mary, the priest being last in the procesrion. The little children, however, faced him, and, walking backwards, distributed the flowers they had in their baskets as they went along.

The procession then entered the Convent chapel, where the Vesper service was held, and Benediction given. Although the wind was blowing very strongly when the servica commenced, before it had come to a conclusion h had calmed down, so the ou'door ceremony w*s able to be conducted without much inconvenience to thone who took part in it. Tne nuns are to be congratulated that everything; onnecW with the c-remony passed off without a hitch ot any kind. The children looked very pretty in their veils and dres^f s, ami sang the Litany iv a very sweet manner