THE VINCENTIAN FATHERS AT WANGANUI.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 21, 21 September 1894, Page 19

THE VINCENTIAN FATHERS AT WANGANUI.

(From an occasional Correspondent.) Dubing the latter part of last month the Vincentian Fathers were busi'y engaged giving a missioD at Wanganui. It was opened by tha Rev Father Hanley whose eloquence and earnestness made a deep impression on all who beard him. There were two Masses c ich morning, one at 7 o'clock and the other at 9 o'clock. At the end of the second Mass a short sermon was given and at 3 30 o'clock an instruction for the children. In the evening also there were devotions consisting of the Bosary, followed by a sermon and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The services continued for a fortnight and were so Well attended that on most occasions it was impossible to find Bitting room for all, The labours of Father Haaley were ably seconded by Father Lynch, a young and z ,'aloua missionary. During both weeks the confessionals were thronged and towards the close the Rev Father Broussard and his Grace the Archbishop assised the missionaries, so great was ihe number waiting to approach the Sacrament of Penance. On the last Sunday of the mission there was a general Communion of the whole congregation at the 8 o'clock Ma 99. Tha church was crowed, mm; having to stand, and nearly everyone present received Holy Communion. The sight ut the time of the Communion was one not easily to be forgotten a? the vast congregation rose and went in an orderly and quiet manner to the altar, going up at oae side and coming down at the other. The number of communicant % was about four hundred and fifty. In the afternoon of the same day his Grace the Archbishop administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to those who had been preparing to receive it, there being abont one hundred and fifty, several of whom were adults. Daring the progress of the mission, Father Hanley re-organised the confraternity of the Sacred Heart (which had already beea established in the parish) and established the League of the Cross. Large numbers both of men and women joined both associations and the rev missionary expressed himself highly gratified at the result. The concluding ceremony of the mission was a general renewal of baptismal vows on the evening of the last Sunday. The church was as usual crowded to overflowing a .d the sight of that vast concourse of people, each one holding a lighted candle in the right hand, was one of unexampled beauty and brilliancy. At the close of his farewell sermon Father Hanley said the mission in Wanganui was the most successful of those held in New Zealand and congratulated them m their diligence and fidelity in attending the exercises. He also Bpoke in warm terms of the kindness and courtesy shown him and his brother missionary by the Tery Bey Father Kirk daring their stay at St Mary's Presbytery •

After concluding in Wanganui the missionaries devoted a week to Turakina ani other country places attached to the Wanganui station. Mention may be made here of two beautiful stained glass windows which have recently been placed in the side chapels of our church. The subj set represented in one of the windows is the Annunciation and in the other the adoration of the Magi. The various tints have beea most delicately executed and the colours skilfully arranged so as to form in each a most beautiful picture. Artists have spoken in the highest terma of praise about them as indeed have all who bave seen them. One was the gift of the Children of Mary, and the other was presented by the Reverend Mother of the Sacred Heart Convent, Wanganui, in memory of her late father.