THE MISSION AT ST. MARY'S, CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 48, 30 March 1894, Page 18

THE MISSION AT ST. MARY'S, CHRISTCHURCH.

(From an occasional Correspondent.)

Since the pood Fathers of (he Redemptorist Order closed their mission at the pro-Catbedra! Home four months ago, they have bad a prettj busy time of it through several parts of Canterbury and the parishes on the West Coast which go to make Dp this widely-ex-en ling diocese. During their openiDg discourses at their present mission one couid gather that they were well pleased with the result of their labours— that they found a living faith amongst % people who at once recognise d, with the spirit of their Catholic forefathers in tne old land, the importance of the opportunity to attain to that vigorous glowin? faith which hag been the glory of the race from which the most of them hare sprang. The Rev Father Burke had not proceeded far into the first sermon of the mission when one was compelled to recognise that the campaign against the power of evil and the allurements of the world was being opened by a veteran eloquent champicn who had fought many fights against the subtle force* that bear down into sin weak, struggling humanity. This opening effort to arou&e within the people dispositions proper to the occasion was well sustained by the Rev Father Mangan, whose vigorous and unmistakably earnest style bore the impress deep, I have no doubt, int ) the minds of the very large congregation, that these Fathers were folly bent on bringing "peace on eartb," not alone •' to men of good will," but peace of miod to many against their will. In fact, from the opening sermon, " What doth it profit a man to gain the whole world if he lose his own soul,' 1 there followed, alternately, evening discourse devoted to arouse a trae Catholic fervour ; and morning instruction, desigaed to lead the mind up to the moat effectual way of carrying out the important work cf the mission— a good confession. During the second week the evenings were devo'ed to telling sermons on Catholic doctrine, matters which non-Catholics profess such difficulty in understanding, and to a treatment of some of the great attributes of Catholic faith— the unceasing anxiety of the Church to seek her fallen children, to encourage them to hope in their repentance, and to sustain them amidst the difficulties which beset their good resolutions. Marked as illustraiing the Bpirit of Christianity, diffused by the Church amongst her members, was Father Burkes Btrmon on the prodigal sou. In a clear and striking light the preacher enabled his hearers to view the spirit of Catholicity contrastel with their daily experience of the unforgiving ways of the world, which, in effect, say •, All of you who fail to march along with head erect in my way, and fall on the road, do not trouble us about picking you up. We cannot afford the time ; please die and don't block the way. Instructions on the ten commandments and the precepts of the Church mostly occupied the last mornings. Oa the evening devoted to special devotion to the Blessed Virgin the church on that occasion, as well as on so many other during the miesioc, was literally packed, the passages between the rows of pews and at each side of the church having to be utilised for seats. An altar was erected within, the sanctuary on the Gospel side on which a statue of our Blessed Lady was surrounded by a bia-ce of ligbt from amongst which a profusion of many coloured flowers threw out a rich glow, making altogether a captivating sight, and giving an evidence of the strong loving devotion of the parish to the Mother of God. Father Mangan 'a sermon on the occasion was an earnest, eloquent exposition of Catholic teaching on this devotion. He showed up in forcible language the glaring inconsistency of those people who criticise so adversely our attitude of veneration and tiust in her powerful intercession, yet who themselves are foremost often in the advocacy for monuments and other tokens of respect and veneration for persons of worldy importance, and do not hesitate to use intermediaries for the attainment of their ends. The mission was closed by Father Mangan who gave a very touching address, and many were the expressions of regret that the last night had arrived. The following Monday wts devoted to the ceremony of erecting the Mission Cross. In connection therewith it was announced that a lady had promised to subscribe an amount equal to that which would be made up by the congregation for a figure. As the collection was, I believe, up to the Rev. Father's expectation we may sooo expect to see, after the Father reaches Sydney, a suitable figure on the commemorative cross. It is not too much to say ia closing this subject that the many who thronged the church at early morning and at evening during this fortnight will long remembar the kindly zeal, the eloquence, the clearness of their instructions, and the unsparing manner in which the Fathers laid themselves at the disposal of the people from six o'clock in the morning till 11 at night. We also had the pleasure of hearing Father Plunket/a venerable voice on one occasion and also of hearing from him a touching sermon on Good Friday nigbt on the Passion. We also had Father Shearman's assistance in the confessional. Father Maogan celebrated High Mass on Easter Sunday, Fathers Le Menaut and Mfcroane being respectively deacon and sub-deacon. Father Le Menant preached at High Mass aod at Vespers Father Mangan preached what we must look upon, for tome time at all events, as his last sermon at 8t Mary's.

The subject was "Hnman Respect," which tbe Rev Father pointed out makes the vilest of slaves when people submit to its dictates to do wroDg. The missionaries leave, I believe, on Wednesday for Sydney, That they may be long spared health and strength to carry on their good work will be the prayer of all those who bave had the happiness of hearing or meeting them during their visit to this diocrse.