DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 43, 21 February 1896, Page 4

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

SILVER JUBILEE OF THE DOMINICAN NUNS.

GRACEFUL TBIBUTE TO THE LATE BISHOP MOHAN. Ths missionary retreats to the Citholic men and women of Dunedia were brought up a close at St Joseph's on Sunday lasr. An immense number of the congregation received H >ly Communion at the early Masses. Tnere was High Mass in St Joseph's Ca hednl at 11 a.m. The Very Rev /ather Mackay (Oamaru) was celebrant, Father Lyncti deacon, and Father Murphy Bub- leacoa. Thare waa a large congregation. The Very Rev Fdiber Maher, CM. (provmci .1 of the Vincentinn Fathers in Australia), occupied the pulpit, aid delivure J a m utterly discourse on the "Scandal of the Cross." The very rev pieacher conclude! hits sermon thus: — " If the scmddl of the cross is the eource of so many vices aud sms in the world how much more is tht devotion to tbe cross and auflE rings of our Savioar the eource of Christian perfection aud virtue. We see this every day in the hvea

of so many faithful gouls who glory in the cross of Christ, and who give the example of humility, patience, purity, mortification and the other virtues which flourish under the shadow of the cross. But much mere is this seen in the lives of these chosen women called by a special vocation to live retired from the world in their convent homes, and to walk more closely in the footsteps of their Saviour. Their lives are hidden in Christ ; they practise Hiß poverty, Hib obedience, His chastity ; they are with Him not only on Thabor but on Calvary also I We rejuce in the presence of such a convent and such lives in our midst. It is tbe work of the great pastor who has* left us." Father Maher made allusion to the training and culture the nuns imparted, not only by words, but by tbe powerful example of their daily life. He prayed that God would prosper them, and he hoped they would succeed in the future even more than in the past. But their joy was mingled with sorrow. The great Bishop who brought these holy nuns to Uunedin was dead, and they still mourned bis irreparable loss. He (the preacher) was not going to speak his praises, for they had been spoken already. The late Bishop required no words of praise, for his works were in the gates and spoke trumpet-tongued his worth and greatness. He had raised his own monuments that would keep his memory green and fresh as the grass that sprang lightly from bis grave. If they looked around they would see these monuments— •'si monumenta quaeris circumspice "" — the magnificent tempi* in which they worshipped, the convent beside it, the churches and convents scattered over the diocese — these were monuments more enduring than braßß, in which his name and memory would be enshrined for all time. They mourned his loss and deeply regretted he bad not lived to jjin in the celebration of this event, to which he looked forward with feelings of gratitude and joy. It waa the holy will ol God that it Bhould be so, and they bowed their heads ia submission; ' However," continued the preacher, "it is not all sorrow. Already news has come that will be a joy to the diocese — the successor to tbe illustrious dead has been named. I will say only one word of him, but I think it is the best word I can say — he is worthy to fill the high dignity for which he has been chosen. He comes of a good stook

he is nephew to the greatest churchman of our time, the late Cardinal Cullen, and cousin to the great Archbishop of Sydney, la persunal qualities and virtues he does not yield to the greatest of his relutious, aud it is a special Providence that brings him here to ta.ee up the mantle of the saintly man who reigned so long and so wisely over Dunedin. We hope for him a long and prosperous reign likewise, and we can promise him, from !he start, the hearty co-operation of the devoted priests of the diocefe, and the loyal devotion of the people. With thiß co-operation and support his burden will be compara'ively light. Oar earnest prayer will be that the diocese will grow under his pastoral care, and that tbe grand traditions will be handed down to Dew generations of people as truely devoted and virtuous as those who are here to-day." In the evening the cathedral was simply packed. Though much additional sealing accommodation was provided, many had to stand and not a few had to go away. The scene was very impressive when, with ighted caudle in hand, the large congregation arose to renew the promises made by sponsura on their behalf in bap ism. Father Miiher complimented the pe>pleof Dunedia on their spirit cf religion. He had not witnessed greater evidences of faith and pie'y elsewhere in Australasia. The people had attended in gnat numbers for a fortnight, not only in the evening but in the early morning. Early riser 6 mubt have wondered at the large number of men who wended their way to the cathedral for the 6 o'clock Mass. The mission had been eminently successful. In conclusion, he imparted the Papal blessing, which, by special privilege, he was empowered tj give. As annouDcud at the Masses, the I'd Deum was sung during the Benediction service, in thanksgiving for the blessings which, through the late bishop and the devoted bund of Dominican nuns had been confered on the diocese, and also to mark the gratitude o! nil that so worthy an ecclesiastic and a man after Dr Moran's own heait had been chosen to occupy the vacant throne. In addition tv the priests previously mentioned, the Rev Father O'Neill (Vlilon) was present at tho evening service. The choir of the catneilral was assisted by Misses Rose and Kitty Blaney, who sung " O Jesu " (duel) and Mr C. Coombs, who played as a cornet aolo, " The Ljst Chord."