NAPIER.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 33, 13 December 1895, Page 29

NAP I E R.

THE MAORI CHILDREN'S FIRST CO MMUNION DAY.

(From an occasional Correspondent.)

On Saturday, the 23rd November, St Mary's Church, Napier, was tbe scene of a very touching ceremony— the reception by a number of Maori children of their First Communion, and of the baptism of a number of others. The altar was very tastefully decorated for the occasion. At 7 o'clock the children, nicely attired, in processional order, and with tapers in hand, entered the cburcb, and took their places, doing all in such a way as to reflect the greatest credit on the good Sisters of tha Mission, w>o crxiuct tha Provlieno or native school Toe Rev Father La Pretre w io lo>ka after the spiritual wants of tho Maoris in toe H-iwke'a Bay province, then said Holy Mass, during which the children very pleasingly rendered hymns in Maori, English and Latin. One of the children made in Maori the acts before Communion." Prior to giving Communion the good Father addressed the children in their own tongue and judging from thnr rapt attention his words must have made happy impressions on their young heart?. Reverently they approached the altar rails to receive for the first time Jesuo, who knows how to bestow His favours on the dusky, as on the fair-skinned, members of His Church. After a few minutes of deep recollection, they sang in a very feeling manner a hymn of thank - giving, after which the Rev Father said some prayers in Maori, which were responded to very piously by the happy ones. After breakfast they assembled again ia the church for the renewal of their baptismal promises. An appropriate hymn was beautifully rendered during the the ceremony. Six children then received upon their brows the regenerating waters of baptism. This part of the ceremony was long on account of the full rite being observed. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given. In a conversation with the good priest I was glad to hear th»t much good is done by these children when they leive tbe school. Soma of them become catechists and teachers of many useful things among tha less favoured of their relations of friends. Even very g O ;d school teacheri some of them have become. Those who go to service give great satisfaction to tbeir employers, for besides receiviug a good religious training and secular instruction, which is annually examined by the Government Inspector, Mr Pope, the children are well formed to household duties. Though residing at Wairoa, Father Le Pretre visits the school at least once a month. There are between 40 atd 50 children at the Providence and seeing the immense good done to them by the Sisters, what a'groat act of kindness or charity would it be if those living in Maori locahties, were to do their utmost to havt still greater numbers gent to ibis excellent institution. It's a great pity wo have not a kindred school for the Catbolir Maori boys.