DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 14, 6 April 1899, Page 6

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

- A . W (By telegraph from our own correspondent.)

April i. Holt Week and Eaoter services wf re carried on with much earnestness and devotion in the city churches. The Office of Tenebrac was given on Holy Thursday and Good Friday evenings at the Cathedral under the direction of Very Rev. Dean O'Reilly, assisted "by Rev. Fathers Kehoe, Buckley, McK'llop and Kamp. Solemn High Mass, on Holy Thursday morning, was celebrated by the Very Rev. Dean O'Reilly ; deacon, Rev. Father Buckley ; sub-deacon, Rev. Father Kamp ; and master of ceremonies, Rev. Father Gillon. A procession to the Altar of Repose took place, in which the children ot the Convent schools, dressed in white, assisted. At the evening service an appropriate and instructive discourse on the Blessed Sacrament was given by Dean O'Reilly. On Good Friday the Mass of the PreSanctified was celebrated in the presence of a crowded congregation, all of whom approached the alUr rails to kiss the cross. At three o'clock in the afternoon the devotion of the Stations of the Cross was held. In the evening au doquenc and powerful sermon on the Passion was preached by Rev. Fin hi r KLhoe. The Altar of Repose was beautifully decorated. On Kasrer Sunday morning the early Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Croke, at which great numbers received Holy Communion. Ihe Guard of Honour Choir rendered the music, Conconi's Mass, Misses Annie and Clara Lorrigan being the soloists. Solemn High Mass was celebrated at eleven o'clock, when Very Rev. Dean O'Reilly was celebrant, Rev. Fathers McKillip and Kamp being deacon and subdeacon respectively. The choir, under Mr. Hiscock rendered in a finished manner Gounod's " Messe Solennelle.' Vespers and Benediction were given in the evening, when the Rev. Father McKillip S.J., preached a magnificent sermon appropriate to Easter. During the discourse he paid a high tribute to the Irish race for fidelity to their faith, remarking that through them the old faith was likely to be again conferred upon England. A procession of the Blessed Sacrament passed through the aisles, borne under a canopy by the Rev. Dean O'Reilly. At this service an '0 Salutaris,' a 'Tantum Ergo,' an ' Adoremus,' and a ' Laudate,' all splendid compositions, by Rev. Father Kehoe, were well performed by the choir. Numbers were unable to gain admission, the Cathedral being packed.

At St. Benedict's the Holy Week services were carried out impressively before large congregations. On Good Friday the Mass of the Pre-Sanctified -was said by Rev. Father Kthce, the large church being packed. The devotions of the Stations of the Cross were held in the afternoon. The Altar of Repose was very tastefully adorned. The Passion sermon was delivered by Rev. Father Gillan. Solemn High Mass was celebrated on Easter Sunday. Large numbers approached Holy Communion, both at St. Benedict's and the auxiliary chapel at Surrey Hills.

At the Sacred Heart Church, Ponsonby, Very Rev. Dr. Egan carried out the ceremonies appropriate to Holy Week and Easter. The altar of repose and high altar were admirably decorated. The services were numerously attended, particularly on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday the choir rendered Haydn's Imperial Mass.

At Devorport on Easter Sunday service was conducted by Rev Father Buckley.

A presentation was made on Eister Sunday ni^ht by the Guard of Honour Society to Rev. Father Cioke.