THE CHILDREN'S LEAGUE OF THE CROSS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 6, 7 November 1890, Page 7

THE CHILDREN'S LEAGUE OF THE CROSS.

(Sydney Freeman' $ Journal, October 25.) Amidst a scene as bright and beautiful, as holy and as happy as one could well picture, the Children's Holy Leigue of the Cross was established at St. Mary's Cathedral. Friday, the 17th instant, a day consecrated to the celebration of the centenary festivals of Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque, and one who waß a saint in all but nameFather Mathew, the Apostle of Temperance — was felicitously selected by the Cardinal-Archbishop to gather the Catholic children of the city and suburbs within tbe walls of tbe Mother Church, and enrol them under the standard of the Holy Cross and Holy Temperance.— That tbe day will live in tbe history of our faith in Australia, we are tolerably sure ; that the good seed sown in hope and faith will ripen into a golden and a glorious harvest, we most fervently believe ; that the memory of the touching and beautiful scene of the 8.000 or 9,000 children consecrating themselves to tbe Sacred Heart and making their pledge before the shining altar will linger as a perfume around each stately pillar and noble arch, each painting and each sculpture of the great cathedral, we venture without pretension to tbe gift of prophecy to predict. It was a day possessing for tne Catholic community an interest and a significance beyond and above all the fascinating features of pictureiqueness, all tbe manifestations of youthful innocence and fervour which bo strongly and pleasantly characterised the memorable celebration — it was a day which witnessed the realisation of one of tbe Cardinal's most cherished hopes and marked the commencement und n r circumstances peculiarly cheering and gratifying of a movement which, under the blessing of Heaven, is destined to prove no inconsiderable factor in the advancement of faith and virtue, and tbe promotion of peace and prosperity in this fair land. Imposing as a pageant, striking as a spectacle, the celebration on Friday last certainly was ; but the singularly successful demonstration derived its chief value from tbe fact that it was the inauguration of a series of such demonstrations which are to be held throughout the colony — it was, in a manner of speaking, the first shot of a campaign or crußade, which is to be carried as far as possible into every town and village in the country. The bishops of New South Wales are thoroughly in sympathy with his Eminence, and thoroughly in sympathy with the admirable movement, and their cordial and earnest co-operation being assured, it cannot ba very long before the Children's Holy League of the Cross is established in every diocese and in every district. Care was taken that the children who took part in tbe celebration on Friday last should have a religious as well as a pleasant remembrance of the day. It was not intended that the procession should be a mere holiday parade. On tbe morning of the feast day the children approached the altar for Holy Communion in their respective parochial churches. From the city and Buburbs the children assembled in St. Mary's Cathedral in tbe afternoon for the conseciation to the Sacred Heart and enrolment in the League of the Cross. Outside the city and suburbs, the consecration to the Bacred Heart and the enrolment took pUce in the parochial church. Tbe names of all the children enrolled will be forwarded to the Cathedral to be preserved in the register of the League of the Cross. One would fancy that do one save a man of " Atlantean shoulders (it to bear The weight of mightiest monarchies " would undertake the generalship and guardianship, even for an afternoon, of 8000 or 9000 children. The feat, however, was performed by the Very Rev Dr. O'Haran on Friday last, and he not only kept his juvenile army in good order, and what was even better, in pood humour, but what was best of all after the excitements ot the proce>eion, tbe ceremonies in the cathedral, the march past, and tbe " fall out oquad " macotavres, he succeeded in despatching the contingents back to the various parts of the city and suburbs without so much as the most trifling accident or mishap occurring, or so much as one tiny toddler figuring in the next morning papers as lost, stolen, or strayed. Judged from every point of view the afternoon's proceeiir.ee were attended by success in the most complete and gratifying form, and having mentioned the name of the priest to whom the lion's sbare of the work of organising and directing fell, it is but just that appreciative allusion should be made to the deep interest taken in the cele brution by the priests and religious teachers of the various parishes and to tbe cordial help given by them in marshalling the children and in assisting to carry out the details of the ceremonies. Shortly before three o'clock all were in marching order, the playgrounds of the cathedral boys' and gins' Bchools aod the presbytery garden being the places where the various schools met, and preliminaries were arranged Almost at the stroke of three the first division of the procession left tbe presbytery garden at the College street entrance. The line of march arranged was Woolloomooloo street, St. Mary's road, and College street, tbe procession to enter the Cathedral by the great western door. All the streets were thronged with people, and the portion of Hyde Park immediately facing St. Mary's was crowded. Between 8000 and 9000 children walked in procession, which was by far the most imposing demonstration of the kind ever held in the city. What gave the pageant its chief charm was the complete absence of empty show on tbe one hand and the modest demeanour of the children on the other. There were no bands, and it was just as well there were none, for the child voices, ringing out in the soft air pure and clear, were the sweetest music in themselves. An idea may be formed of the length of the procession when it ia stated that nearly an hour was occupied in making a circuit of the Cathedral grounds by the three streets mentioned, and its picturesque character

may be estimated by the fact that, apart from the fniry-like wreaths and veils, the bright badges and aasnea, the graceful cloaks and capes of white and blue and the embroidered collars of ied and gold, and all the other details of dress and regalia, there were over two hundred banners and bannerets most of them richly ornate, carried in the children's ranks. There were no policemen accompanying the processson, and the s a rvices of the gentlemen In bine were, fortunately, not needed to clear the way or prevent crushing. Here and there walking quietly and sedateiy by the side of the children, could be Been a Mister with her dangling rosary, or a black gowned Brother— with his crucifix io girdle — a Sister of Charity here, there a Sitter of Mercy, next, perhaps, a Good Bamaritan Sister or Sister of St. Joseph ; following at a few yards would come a French Sister of the Sacred Heirt Order, or an Iriih Sister of Mercy, and now and then could be picked out a Marist Brother or a Patrician, while " shadowing " each division was a watchful priest looking after the little ones of his own parish. First of all came the banner of Our Blessed Lady, a graceful design io blue and white and gold, with the prayer glittering on it " Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for Us." That was the standard of the girls of St. Mary's Cathedral girls school. Some of the girls wore red capes and red sashes, and the effect was as pretty as it waa striking, affording as it did a marked contrast to the blue cloaks and red cashes which came in view almost immediately afterwards. The second banner of conspicuous design and elegance was one in honour of Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque, and the thirl was one bearing the name and figure of St. John the Evangelist. Not far behind this banner walked the boarders of St. Vincent's College, Victoria street, some 70 or 80, in dark dresses and neat straw hats with black bands. The only badge worn by these pupils was a small ooe in the shape of a heart. Next in the line was the banner of St. Joseph, and a little further along was upraised the banner of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Among the other beautiful banners, one of St. Patrick was especially noticeable. The banner of St. Bridget and the banners carried by the schools of Marrickville as well as the banner of the Sacred Heart carried by the Pyrmont Bchools and the banner of St. Aloysios (richly embroidered in gold) borne in the ranks of tbe Bandwick contingent attracted general attention and admiration. The Marrickville, Bandwick, and Pyrmont banners and bannerets were expressly made by Messrs. Louis Gille and Co., of 75 Liverpool street, upon which firm they reflect great credit. When all were assembled in the Cathedral, the children sang unitedly the hymn to the Sacred Heart, " To Jeans' Heart all Burn* ing." The Cardinal then delivered a brief and simple address, and all the children were solemuly consecrated to the Sicred Heart of Jeans. Whilst the Cardinal was vesting for Benediction of the ! Blessed Sacrament, the children, still kneeling, sang 'he hymn in honour of the Blessed Sacrament, "In Breathless Silence Kaeel ; " after which they sang the " O Salutaris " and " Tantum Ergo." After Benediction they joined in the Divine praises, and sang the " Adore mus," together with the Psalm " Laudate." The childrea afterwards stood and sang tbe hymn, "The Cross, the Cross." Brother Lietus presided at the organ. The crosses of the order were then to have been blessed by tbe Cardinal, but tbese not having come to hand, this ceremony and that of investure could not be proceeded with. His Eminence, however, administered the pledge, which the children repeated after him. There was then a march past, when tbe •hildren passed in procession to receive the Cardinal's blessing, which brought tbe ceremony, at a quarter to 6 o'clock, to a close. The temperance hymn, " Tbe Sacred Thirst of Jesus," was sung whilst the procession left the church. The words of the pledge, repeated after the Cardinal, were :—": — " I promise you and the Holy League of the Cross to abstain, by God's grace, from all intoxicating drinks until freed by the priest in confession." The Cardinal answered, " May the Cross of Christ proteot you now and evermore. Amen." The regulations of the League provide that " Every child belonging to the Holy League of the Cross shall maka a siacere promise by God's grace to abstain from all intoxicating dnnka, unless freed by the priest in confession. This pledge does iot bind under pan of mortal sin. To break it, however, would be both dishonourable and dangerous. The use of spirituous drinks when necessary in time of sickness does not break the pledge. The practice of religion is necessary for membership, and for gaining the indulgences and other spiritual benefits of tbe association." Anticipating that tbe holding capacity of the Cathedral would be taxed by the great number of children, the Cathedral authorities decided to admit no adults. The wisdom of this step was proved by the fact that the greatest difficulty was experienced in finding room for all the children. By pressing the choir into service, by packing all the aisles and passages, by giving up the greater portion of the sanctuary to a regiment of boyp, and by utilising the generally unused space at the rear of the High Altar, almost all the children were got inside the Cathedral. Every inch of tbe floor of the great building was occupied. It was a wonderful sight, and the behaviour of tne children was wonderful too. It was a beautiful afternoon, and as the bright sunbeams poured through the stained windows and threw a strange, soft light on tbe gorgeous banners aud the chaste, white dr esses of the little girls, the nobly beautiful High Altar, tbe rich and varied regalia, and on the thousands of sweet child faces, the effect was just such a one as an artist would dwell lovingly upon with delight and a poet hail as an inspiration and a theme for a holy twilight reverie. A glance towards the High Altar revealed the few artistic touches of special decoration. Tbe flowers were almost entirely white, and while a delicate festoon was flung across tke reredoe at either side of the tabernacle the niches of the reredos were filled with graceful palms, while high up under (he central canopy waa a chaste vase filled with lilies. Amidst the blazd of lights tho wbite flowers, with the green as a set off, looked extremely pretty. In the decoration of the altar of the Sacred Heart the white lilies were again in pr fusion. The illumination of that altar was very brilliant. At four o'clock the Cardinal entered tbe sanctuary, which was then aglow with mellowed light from the great northern window. A few minutes later tbe ecclesiastics who bad been assisting in the proctssion took their places.