THE CATHEDRAL RE-OPENED AND DEDICATED.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8, 27 February 1908, Page 10

THE CATHEDRAL RE-OPENED AND DEDICATED.

IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES,

DISCOURSES BY CARDINAL MORAN.

(By telegraph from our own correspondent.) Auckland, February 24. The Diamond Jubilee of the diocese of Auckland j (founded 'in 1848) was celebrated on last Sunday, Feb- I ruary 23, when the completed Cathedral— a fitting and | beautiful emblem of the progress of sixty years— was icopened and dedicated by his Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop ot Sydney, assisted by a number of Prelates and priests, in the presence of a great concourse of people. The day— so long and eagerly awaited by the bishop; clergy, and Catholic people of Auckland— was ushered in with line, clear weather. At an early hour all was astir at the Cathedral, outside which, spreading from steeple to presbytery were four rows of flags. At 10 o'clock the doors were opened ; crowds eagerly entered the Cathedral ; and in a short time every seat was oc- , cupied. In the front seats were the Prime Minister (Sir J. G. Ward), Lady Ward, Messrs. Kidd, Baume, Alison, , Bollard, Members of Parliament, leading citizens, representatives of the mercantile and legal profession, and' members of various non-Oalholic denomination's. Shortly before 11 o'clock the procession, composed of the , following, proceeded from the Presbytery to the Cathedral : His Eminence the Cardinal ArchMshop of Sydney, his Grace ArchMshop Redwood, Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan (Bishop of Auckland), Ri^ht Rev. Dr. Verdon (Bishop of Dunedin), Right Rev. Dr. Gallagher (Bishop of Goulburn^, Right Rev. Dr. O'Connor (Bishop of Armidale), Right Rev. Mgr. O'Haran, Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly, Very Rev. Dean Regnault (representing his Lordship Bishop Grimes), Very Rev. Father O'Sliea, V.G. (Wellington^, Very Rev. Father Clune, C.SS.R., Very Rev. Dean McKenna (Mastertoni), Very Rev. Father Gillan, V.G., Very Rev. Dean Hackett, Very Rev. Dean Lightheart, and Very IRev. Father Brodie, Fathers McKenna, McMullan (Ranfurlv), Clune, Mahony, Kfhoe, Buckley, Smiers, Darby, La~,e, McMillan, Furlong, Cahill, Meaeiher, Tormev. Duffy, Moiloy, Holtorook, Edge, Murphy, Farthing, Williams," Bradley, and Doyle. At the Cathedral door the clergy lined up on both sides, ' and his Eminence the Cardinal blessed the stones, specially placed on the building for that purpose. His Lordship Bishop Lenilian then intoned the litanies,' and the responses were eiven by the cl^rscy and choir combined. At the foot of the high altar Cardinal Moran san,g the concluding prayers of the litanies. His Grace Archbish- . op Redwood was celebrant of the Pontifical Hi?h Mass Very Rev. Father Brcdie was deacon, Rev.. Father Darby', sub-deacon, Rev. Father Mahony, assistant priest Ve-y Rev. Dnan Gillan and Rev. Father Holbrook, masters of ceremonies. His Eminence Ihe Cardinal presided, and the assistant priests at the throne were Rip-ht Rev Max O'Reilly and Right Rev. Msr. O'Haran. ' The altar and sanctuary were beautifully decorated. Tt w a s a scene of great srlw-dnr, which will nover fade from the memory of those who witnessed it. The music was Millar d's "i-tiss in vt. The occasional sermon was preached' by his Emir, ence the Cawi'nal after the first gospel.