HOLY WEEK AT PRO-CATHEDRAL CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 51, 19 April 1895, Page 18

HOLY WEEK AT PRO-CATHEDRAL CHRISTCHURCH.

(From an occasional Correspondent.) On Palm Sunday the ceremonies were es usual, the Bishop, Most Iky Dr Grimes, blessing tha palms, with V.:ry Rev Father Cummings and Father Bell deacon and sub-deacou respectively, His Lordship Hddreßsed the congregation from his throne on the celebrity of the day, after which the palms were distributed to them at the altar rails The Mass followed and was said by Very Rev Father Cummings' In the evening after Vespers the Bishop preached to a. large congregation. Tha Tenebise offices on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, were well attended, 'lhe following priests in addition to the local clergy took part— Liev J. F. G'Donnell (Palmerston South) ; Very Rev Fathers Chervier and J. J. O'Donnell, Rev Fathers Bowere, Ginaty, O'Connor, Treacy, Laverty, Salvador, Foley, Dunham, Uegnault] Hyland and Hurlin. The sermon on Holy Thursday was preached by Very Rev Father O'Donnell of Ashburton, who handled his subject in a very scholarly manner, deeply impressing his hearers with the solemnity of hisdiecourj?, whicb|was listened to with the grratest attention by an unusually large and dcv ,ut congregation. The Bermon on the Pasßion was delivered by his lordship Dr Grimes who dwelt principally on tbe crucifixion. Ncedkss to say the subject was treated by a master mind and in a most telling manner, The church presented a very beautiful appearanco oa Easter morning, tbe sanctuary especially bung very much admired. There was Pontifical High Mass, Very Liev Father Gumming* beiag assistant priest at the throne, and Rev Fathers Marnane and Bell deacoa and sub-deacon respectively. Tbe choir was strengthened by Misses Rose Blaney and Freda Marsden, also Mr Woid house. The Mass was Gounod'a Mease Solennelle, the solos being taken by Mus Blaney, Miss Bryant, the Messrs B. Haywarct Becnessy and Hynes. Mr F. R. Woodhouse Bang fin " Aye Maria" with violm obbligato by Miss Alarsden during th« offertory. In the evening there waa Pontifical Vespers and the

sermon was preached by the Vicar-GaneraJ. Tbe choir was in good fettle, the music being excellent, the solos too were good, especially the one rendered by Miss Blaney. A word of praise is certainly dne to the organist Miss Fnnston es neV a? the ne^r conductor, Mr O. D. Cnrai, if'io have been meat assiduous ia their endeavours to tender tha music during Holy Week ia a befitting manner.