LOW SUNDAY AT THE PRO-CATHEDRAL, CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXII, Issue 52, 26 April 1895, Page 13

LOW SUNDAY AT THE PRO-CATHEDRAL, CHRISTCHURCH.

.* (From an occasional Correspondent.) Low Sunday, April 21st, 1895, will long live enshrined as ared-lettf r day, in the hearts and memories of the Catholic congregation of the pro-Cathedral, Barbadoes street, Ohristctmrcb. Then took place that most solemn and touchingly-impressive ceremony — the First Communion of Catholic children. More than one hundred children-fifty-seven bjvs and forty-seven girls — wore on this occasion the happy recipients of the Sacrament. Joy supreme, and happioesi sir. cere were depicted on the radiant countenances of the privileged young ones, as, under the direction of the devoted Brothers and Sinters, they wheeled into church aud took their appointed places In front of the High Altar.

.The beautif ally-decorated edifice was thronged with a devout congregation, mostly parents and friends of the intending communicants. Holy Mass, which began at 9.30. a.m., was celebrated by His Lordship, Bishop Grimep, assisted by the Vicar-General, the Very Bey Father Gummings ; the choir Tendering sweet music and hymns the while. After the Gospel His Lordship addressed the children, and In beautiful language, pictured in graphic and soul-stirring terms their happiness and privilege, their duties, resolutions, and sentiments on this happy morn. That nothing might be left undone for the children's happiness even their temporal wants were thought of, for the good ladies of the Altar Society had a breakfast prepared in the Brothers' school. Here, after Mass and thanksgiving, the children were led, and the large tables, plentifully and temptingly furnished with all that could appease the appetite, were soon lighten °d of their pleasant burdens. His Lordship opened and terminated the proceedings with " grace," and during the breakfaet seemed quite hippy among the little ones. At three o'clock the tables were replenished, and, under the presidency of the Vicar-General and Father Bell, the children enjoyed another pleasant half-hoar among the daintica. Father Camminge presented each child with a large First Communion card, as a souvenir of the happy day. He then tendered a well-deserved meed of praise to the ladies who had so devotedly and generously contribnted to the children's happiness. In the evening the church was again thronged to over-crowding to witness the impressive act of " Benovation of Baptismal vows." The eloqnent words of the Bishop once more rang through tbe cathedral aisles, as he told in burning language of the import of this closing action of the eventful day, and raised his warning voice against th« foes that those young Christian heroes, now made strong with the strength of God Himself, had to meet with, fight against, and conquer in their march through life. In speaking of the dangers of contamination by corrupt and libertine literature, His Lordship paid a tribute of grateful recognition to the morality of the local Press, whose pages might be always read without qualm of conscience by even the most religions and delicate mind. After the sermon the children, each with a lighted candle, marched in procession to the baptismal font, where the worthy Vicar-General received their Bworu allegiance to the Church and Christ, and their utter renunciation of Satan with his works and pomps. The procession now wended its way to the Communion rails where the renovation was made anew, and the happy children knelt for the Benediction. The eleven o'clock Mass was said by the Very Rev Vicar-General, who also preached a very instructive sermon. The choir, which was strengtheneu by Miss Rose Blaney and Miss Freda Marsden, rendered Farmer's Mass in B moat effectively. During the day the churchyard presented a lively afpoarance from the number of persons signing the petition for presentation to both Houses of Parliament praying for Government inspection for Catholic schools.