THE CARDINAL'S SERMON

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

THE CARDINAL'S SERMON

THE MISSION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

His Eminenco the Cardinal took for bis text " the words : ' Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : and may abundance Ye unto them that love thee.' (Psalm cxxi., 6V The Catholic Church, said his Eminence, had been instituted, by Our Saviour to nerpetuate throughout all time the triumph af Redemption, and to bring its rich heritage of spiritual blessings within Ihe reach of the scattered h r a n^hes of the human race. He instructed ' the AposIles to make all nations their disrioles, and He comfor ted them wil-h the assurance : ' Behold. I am with you all days even to the consummation of the world.' (Math'

xxviii., 20.) Again He said to them : ' I will ask .the Father and he shall give you another Paraclete tha.t he may abide with you for ever.' (John xiv., 16.) ' You shall receive" the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the uttermost parts of the earth.' (Acts i., 8.) His Church would be founded upon the Roc.t. It would be ' the-pil-lar and the ground of truthf ' : the tempests" of- -this, world would rage in vain around it :. on its portals. would be written the divine words, ' the gates of hell shall not prevail.' . * ■ . . - The mystery -ot infinite mercy which the Redeemer had accomplished was not to> be a mere empty name. - He, • the desire of nations,' .had not come to make •• an- idle display of heavenly gifts 1 . He came to impart those gifts to man. When our first parents were expelled- from, the garden- of Paradise, an Angel was set at its'- entrance to repel them lest re-entering they would eat'-of the tree of life. Holy Church is a new paradise' of God on earth, and the Redeemer" is Himself the Tree of- Life. The Angels are ,once more set at its approach,' but -It "is no longer to repel our fallen race. They are there to 1 ad, us to ,the Tree cf Life that .we may be quickened anew , and sanctified, partaking of its life-giving fruit. m A. triple eift the Redeemer came to bestow on manland ; Ist, the Light of Di"ine Truth ; 2nd, the Supernatural Life with the inexhaustible treasure of graces which it invol-es ; and 3i£, the abiding Holocaust of H-s love. All these precious gifts it is the Mission of the Holy Chur< h to preserve inviolable to faithful souls throughout all time. I. 'I am the way, the truth, and the life,' was ■ the di.ioie announcement made by the Redeemer to the Apostles .: ' r am the light of the world : he that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light cf life.' (John \ttii-, 12.) And again: 'I am come a njvb into the world, that whosoever believeth in Me may not remain in darkness.' (/Ibid, xii., 46.) r JF he A P° stle <* iove styles our Saviour ' the true n & nt which enhgh tenet h every man thiat cometh into the . world ; . and adds : • He< « dwelt amongst us, " and' we sawj ■ hu glory as it were of the only-begotten of the Father fill of grace and truth.' (John a., .9-14.-) And sd "also tne Prince of the Apostles compendiates for the first converts the whole mystery cX the Redeemer's love : He * rTI, Ca J kd -, yoiu out of darkness into his marvellous ■ light.' (I. E'pist. ii. F 9.) ■ ■- ■ The -whole warp and w o of !of the teaching of the Church is Jesus Christ ; her one purpose is to bring the words are hor guile : ' This is eternal life, that they Whom Thou hast sent t (John xvii. 31 * ami qTia fni :lows in .the footsteps of tlie Apostle:' <We prelh^hrist • crucified, unto the Jews indeed a stumbiinc block 'anil -unto to Gentiles -foolishness ; but untTthJm that a?e s called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the- power- of God and- the wisdom of, God.' (I Cor i 23) >!^,-;o^ he R^ 6e ™ er foreshadowed to the Apostles" their .mission when He- pronounced the divine words : 'You : are the liaftt of the world.--' (Math. v. P. 14 ) At 4rl .si.o-ht.it mi^ht seem, as if this was" inconsistent with His solemn declaration, • I am- ,the ■ light of the woiftr ' h° h^^ Vll -' 30, And yet there is^ perfect harmony in the Redeemer's words. -.,.. We may take "an illustration from an every d a y fact which the order 6f"iSw SS tM?' i ; lanetfl S s ed - a mdld radiance ,t is earth of ours : but as scientists attest it is nnt their ow,n h*t that they impart, they. miW. reflect "he sn s rays un rn i«s. Even so the Anostles faithful tr> the mission reoet-«d Trom our Divine Lord pSpetuaW 5n .tb-ir nreaehing Hi* le^snns of heavenly wisdom or £ . it miriit he more definitely exnressed, the SeSme? Himse f continues through them to impart the radXT nf ' .His dsvire tn»+h to fai'hfnl souls. raaiance, of OW^J Oval . Iv . anid iwiwpflrinclv has the Church?' »ls--C^rced j h rr, is^ on pntrustied t , Q he From flrJt Penfr-oost when the Anostles, illumined by "the Holy

G-host, went forth from the upper room in Jerusalem to bear wavness to the Kisen Saviour. (Acts ii., 14), even to the present .hour, the Church has announced to the nations the sacred truths entrusted to her, condemning heresies as they arose, and confounding the' false wisau m of the world :« I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and' earth, because Thou hast hidden these thSP* ?^i c ™ S ? an ' d ; " P ruden *. and hast revealed them to lit+le ones.' (Luke x., 21.) For 19 centuries she has 'borne testimony to the truth. No power of earth has overawed her. No assaults from heresy or from the pride and passions of men have made her waver. No emergencies but l» a ye found her equal to them. Thrones a nd empires have changed around her, but her testimony to divine truth remains unchanged. Calm in the consciousness of her mission, as one ' whose eyes are ever gazing on eternal things, and whose ears are ever open to the harmonies of heaven,' she pursued- her onward course • preaching the word, ;being 'instant in season and out of season reprov««, entreating rebuking in all patience awl S ™ e> # (IL Juno-th. iv., 2.) No one has sought guidance from her m a am. No one following her has ?nrJ IIP aS h ray - G e S« mies of G <** have never ceased to pursue her with undying hatred. And how fierce have cS 6n T?f SS 1S and ..P^ se cutions which she has sustain- . inJ Redeemer an the presence of .the Roman Go- «? ? +v roclaimo T d Hls massion the solemn words: w« r °id «StT«if \f n ' - and ' lorI or tlhis ' came J into thfc world that I should give testimony to the truth '• wi° h ? XVI /-i 8 M The Churc h has fearlessly followed in Srttf r t°°ift We admire lhie heroism "r the martyrdom ? y Ttt th^ ft? SUCh fortitude endure thoi Strth U w^ that th 3 y might bear testimony to ol life r^riSKr £ with their blood the doctrines oi nic received from our Saviour. No less sublime was witnesf In th? f. P °r ?rS ° f *?" World ' whi ' lst bearing witness to the teachings o f divine truth' ■ " Whenever evil-desig,ning men endeavored by profane th7cLrV 01 7 Pt J he ' d P ctrilies of Life, the Pastors of the Church under the guidance of the Successor of St Saim ff 6 ?^- in G * en^ Council to solemnly proclaim the teaching of Christ, and to anathematize the hpin a SM er -" Or^ TW(enty of tbose General Councils have been held in the course of 19 centuries Thus has th P s?o Ly ,° ff f th / Faithbeen P reserved and the sacied traducism of the Redeemer's teaching has been hoS^ThnrS 0^ tf PenteCoSt t0 the P r <S Sok • i -f * of these Councils was' held in the year 325 in the oity of Nicea. Arius and his followers with viour eSS Tr Plet /' M impU&ned tne Divinity oTOr S* mi; +? cc n . u , ndr ed and Eighteen Bishops assembled &<.°urssgg'j?!g2£z£~ a* tJr Th'if ? SmCe recel ved the honors 'of the alpSylnd 1 dSnHif nt con ' demnin g '^c - Airian imwould d?nv ??2 n- - S -. anathema against those who would deny the Divinity of our Blessed Lord. With iaSSd thJHS, ?1 f^ ailt>nfur throughout the whole world off from the Si f i^n^ 116 rotten br - anches lo PP ed caved h,r?+J + f ly Chlur °h, soon withered 'and de2S^ arrayed^i, T -$ S ? U continued grow in statelibefore fruatfulness and comeliness greater than But you will say, will there - then -be no room for development in Divine Truth, no progress of- C&istiaJ D w r^ mm t OXlgSt u S ? There Wil^ assuredly be the amJV «L OTni or m SU St P r( >eress and development, but withalth^Dtv.^ Trurth, add tba tqacbng of Holy, Church vS!} + * T emain "^changed. As the venerable writer eos ™? m "? re ™» rks . when You are dealing with That JriJfc 5 S^- a . hu fnan element as .well -as the divitne. no chYtt if* • yln ' 6 , 1 , SalS all -P c . rfect - and in- it there caoi be room £r ni£L m l > hat is human there is indefinite c Ho ' 7 &host »1m supernatural lite is «nch a ngea6l^

whilst the earthly frame is, ever more stately and progressive, ever developing yet always the same. In her doctrines of divine truth there is in like manner a constant progress and development, but there can be no. real change in -the matter of .Faith. We may take an illustration from the marvellous works which the natural order presents. The leaf of a tree viewed with the naKed eye discloses a singular perfection, and the symmetry o t all- its parts reveals the workmanship of the Divine Ureator. Examine it with a powerful microscope its perfection is intensified a hundred fold, and it is found to be far richer ami more beautiful in its varied details. ■?.,. a it Wlth ' the Caching cf Holy Church. The more girted the mind that studies saored truth, the richer w,ll be the lesson that that divine truth will impart. The Church assimilates to herself all the conquests of art and science, and encourages everything that may bring perfection to the human mind, for this reason that the higher the perfection which is thus attained: and the more intense the rays that are brought to bear upon, the doctrines of Faith, the greater and richer shall be lecogmsed the heaven-sent treasure th a t the Deposit of Divine Truth presents. The truths revealed by the Redeemer are of themselves all-peifect, but they are necesanl CO5l ' V T + ° UVU V? lltlK imperfection which human language and the whole circle of material surroundings cofrfn+ h f° S - 8 * r . uth »most ever remain, complete, incorrupt unchangeable, and unchanged in the Deposit of the Faith, -but the more they are Studied the greater will be the perfection, ' the inner beauty the rV h f Sacred Scriptures, and as set forth in the 1h olno In a pecial manner the Successor of St Peter as Kine*tor^LZ t( T rS of Israe1 ' .fo tto mmmai: It was in the exercise of his supreme-authority as teacher and guardian of Repealed Truth that our Hoi? Jattoer Pope Pnus X., a few months ago addressed f« outcome of the Rationalism which, for ' the past tw! offL • e + or^ than an attempted revival of Paganism cf ifoly ? "hurch 10U Th "* • othe Si m ° St eris^ dSctaSs eve, 7t«u l^ZJ^^^&ZrDivine Truth and the writings of the Chnffif >^Sologists its votaries under the name- of- Neo-PlatSism In like .manner when Arianism was. condemned its outcome under the name of Semi- Arianism' continued for a long period to afflict- the Church, and under thp specious pretext of a compromise with the Church's tea chin* tore many of the faithful from the one true fold So also Pelagianasm was followed' by Semi-Pelaglante'm ' And to come to later times, when Continental' Protet tantismi or Calvamsm was condemned, a compromise of error and -truth was proposed' under the. name of Jan Nanism, and may -we not regard the Hicfo Church mat nuerade.in Enplawd and the United States as a s wT -what similar but well-intentioned attempt So comtXSe

some of the Anglican tenets with doctrines of the Catholic Church, i So it is that now-a~days in Italy and France- the enemies of the Church, under the name of Modernism, would foster alike the countless errors already condemned" in various heresies and in Rationalism, and blending them with the teaching of the Catholic Church, Would endeavor to corrupt the Deposit of Divine Truth. This new fashioned Modernism has been justly styled the Synthesis of all the errors and fallacies that hitherto 'Wave been marshalled against the Church. The Holy Father, as Successor of St. Peter, equipped with the plenitude of spiritual authority, proscribes anew by his Encyclical all those errors, and faithful to the Commission divinely received, * Feed my lambs, feed my sheep,' he presents to the faithful distinctly and definitely the doctrines of the inviolable Deposit of Divine Faith. Joyously and reverently, both Pastors and people throughout the Church hearken to the voice of the Chief- Pas*°F» _'<> r it is Christ Himself who instructs us through His Vicar, and following the example set by the Apostles themselves, we prostrate ourselves in spirit at the Redeemer's feet whilst we loyally repeaif with the Prince of the Apostles : ' Thou hast the words of 'Eternal Life.' ' 11. The second grand) purpose of our Saviour in the work of Redemption was to make man partaker of His own' divine life. In the G-os^el of St. John, Hie attests that ' God so loved the world as to give His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him may not perish, but may have life eternal ' (idi., 16) ; and again : ' I have come that they may have life, et ut abundantius HaJbeanti j (x., 10), that is to say, that they may have the plenitude and perfection of life. Thus it is that by the ineffable mystery of Redemption mankind receives the ititle-deeds of heavenly life with all its blessedness for eternity, but even here below becomes partaker of that supernatural life, so that though still in pilgrimage, we may lead' a life 'divine. Thus, in the spiritual order each faithful soul that corresponds to the Redeemer's love, may cry oat with the Apostle <: ' I live, now not I ; but Christ liveth in me.' (Galat. ii., 20) t Our Saviour explains this under a beautiful imagery : 1 I am the vine (he says to the disciples), you are the branches _• he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same be a reth much fruit : for without Me you can do no thing.' (John xv., 5.) The sap and life of the vine in its. stem and branches are the same, but it is the branches that be a r the blossoms and the fruit. Even so it ■is that we partake of the Redeemer's life, but In the marvellous ways of His mercy, the merit of the virtues and the fruitfulness is allotted to us. St. Augustine and' other Fathers illustrate this quickening influence of the Redeemer in our spiritual life by another familiar example. In the Incarnation theysav our Saviour engrafted on the human, nature His own Divine Li c c, and thus through [Him our fallen nature tnough of itself run wild and fruitless, has become capable of .producing rich and abundant fruit. So it is that Christ ever living in His Church imparts through the Sacraments the supernatural life and heavenly gr a ces to faithful souls The words of the Apostle are even thus to the fullest extent verified ; < Christ yesterday, and toJUy, and the same for ever.' (Heb. xiii 8 ) The Church • ever jealously guards and preserves the Holy Sacraments those sources of the spiritual life and strenuously leads the faithful to partake of them The Redeemer had said to the multitude on the snores of ?aee I, C «° me to me > all ? e wh « are weary and are burdened, 'Eg© reficiam vos ' (Math, xi., 257 S fjr 0? arras smwx toai«aff£S£SSP«a ll 's Apostles, He announced to them thaf stiH Vr^r • *. he acles would accompany their minis?, v * greater M ircends ttu. earth, so the sp riS m racles" oV t? 11 traM " mental Life are o l a higher order S the £*£ ww a ° l ? r acles performed in the material world gi:eatest mir-

What shall I say of the fruitfulness of this super- . natural grace of sanctity which, in every age, has characterised the lives of .countless children of .Holy Church., The fortitude of the early Martyrs surpassed, anything that mere human heroism could achieve, it won the ad-, miration even of the persecutors, and led ■ countless converts to the one true fold. Century after century in one or other country those persecutions have been renewed. The Martyrs have e\er .shown the same .heroic fortitude, and .their triumph has been attended with the same glorious results. So ..also has the perfection of virtue in its varied phases been shown forth and perpetuated among thristian nations " a t every stage of civilisation, and in every condition of life. The .praisp of the Confessors and Missionaries of. the Church is in the mouths of all, and) the inspired words are fulfilled, how beautiful on the mountains are' the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, and that preacheth ueace • of him that sboweth forth good, that preacheth salvation that saith to Sion : Thy God shall reign.' (Is. ill., _7.) The Choirs of Virgins under the leadership of the e\er-blessed Mother of the Redeemer,' by their iovo.s anthems acclaim tha glory of the Most High But beyond all this, the daily life of the whole host of faithiui souls who, day by day during those. 19 centuiies ftxve taken up their cross, and borne patiently the burdens of life, thus following in the" footsteps of our Saviour, has peopled heaven with Saints How grand in the sight of Angels and of men is the endless procession of the Elect from, every race and every clime wending its way along the paths o f pilgrimage who not in words alone but in their deeds of piety inlono to e thrMn, CC + a «' C l eS Of ,> n * d * cti ™ anthems of praSf tal, of S *?igh and passing ° nward throu S h ' the Poradis .Church, attain the eternal rejoicing of ParThs Redeemer instructing the Apostles said to them • I am come to cast fire oh the earth, and what will I but that it be kindled I .' (Luke xii., 49.) His whole thrice blessed life was an outpouring of that charity, and the inspired narrative compendiates His public ministry in the words, 'He went about doing good.' (Act x 38.) How faithfully has the Church kept alive "this sacl red. fire, and how ardently has she fanned its flames in the hearts of her devout ohildrcn. Even in the Catacombs and amid all the terrors o f the fierce pagan persecutions, the claims of sacred charity were "not forgotten-. We may take an instance from the persecution under the Emperor Valerien. Whilst the rage of the persecutors was at its height, the pagan populace of Rome in -the circus a »d in the arena hailed with shouts of triumph the announcement that next day the treasures of the Christians were to be handed over to the Emperor J 11^ 4th674 th 67 cried> he hated Ch ristians are vanquishedthsir -treasures shall be ours. St. Lawrence, deacon oi Rome, had just then been- seized by the persecutors and summoned, to renounce .the Faith. Interrogated regaidinj 5 the wealth of the Church committed to his care he promised' that next .day he would present the Church's riches to them,. At the stated hour he marshalled in long array the blind and the halt, the helpless widows and the or-phans entrusted to his care. These are th* treasures of the Church, he cried? far more cherished by us than anything that the wealth of this world can give The holy deacon met with a glorious martyrdom but his martyrdom w a s the victory of the Faith .and Tt SS?r fOr nV ime thetrium Ph of Christian charity A century rolled en ; peace was restored to the Church rr 0o"0 o"e e i^h ce t th Th lmP^ a L Ci^. iS all in oonS n Jti m rit i no el sight. The noblest ladies of Rome, the descpnrt ants of the Gracchi and the Scipios, have foVegon? their festive celebrations and laid aside the ins%ni?of the r mc that they may dev o te their lives to visit the sick ion. And so. age after age the work of charity. went on .labor and are burdened : Ego reflciaV^ &£ W j° Pre Tail in the Christian State Dull™ tEf ™£ t ,| ho " Id tunes she has been the depositary T thole \°£fc

ious traditions from which the higher life of .the European nations has sprung, and with which- that life is inaissolubly linked.' As in the past, so too to-day, she stands forth, almost alone in many countries, as the champion of the rights of conscience, and of the freedom of the spiritual order against the tyranny and .overweening power of the dechnstianised States that would oppress .them. How, grand is the idea of the dignity of man which the Church's doctrine' of his spiritual life presents. The -image cf God impressed upon his soul brings with it a heritage of infinite perfectiJiiity and eteraal life. His . personality, his character, his liberty of will, of conscience, and' of spirit become his richest possession. His. highest ■noib'ility is, not derived from the riches or the hon«ors that this world can give, but from the title-deeds of Redemption "by which las Sam of the Most Hiigihi He is entitled to the inheritance of Paradise. All this should be borne in mind if we may hope to solve the problems which the social order of the world of to-day presents. Men's minds are distracted by the inequalities that are found in the \arious classes of mankind, apparently incompatible with the ideas of justice that, prevail, but for which nevertheless all human legislation fails to find a remedy. Such a remedy would soon be found were men to take for their guide the standard which Religion presents/ The Commandments of old were engra\en on tablets of stone. The .precepts of the Redeemer are to be written on the ,hearts of men. How admirable are the lessons which those divine precepts convey. Whether we be rich or poor, whether we be of high or low birth, .all are ©q'ual at the bar of eternal justice. The soul of the humblest outcast weighs equally with that of the wealthiest citizen. Love of justice, hatred of iniquity, the doing of good shall be the criterion of merit for all. Every class of citizen has its rights ; it has its duties also. Whilst the former are guarded and. asserted, the latter should • not remain unfulfilled. Religion is not a, matter of theory -or speculative ideas ;it Imposes practical duties upon all. Its leaven should permeate e^ery condition of life. It ordains justice and charity in all. It condemns egotism, and selfishness and' iniquity, wherever they may be found. To solve the problems eff the world to-day, men should lace to heart the lesson which the records of history teach, that in the domain of Holy Church .throughout the centuries, there has been for all nations an inexhaustible stream of happiness, contentment, and other manifold blessings, a divine stream that has its fountain bead at the foot, of the Cross. The Cross c€ the Redeemer is vne symbol of life and blessedness for all. His words !>\? rr + v nd a ?, fl*f 1 *, 0 , in Hol >' Church :* I have compassion on the multitude ; « Whosoever desires to be My dis-i-4.i-4. it/ 6 cup his cross evel T day and follow Me ' Let those who would promote the welfare of men and would desire to secure for them contentment and blesefadnP^ JnA em to ? rink , of These waters of W and whoewori • * b ?S f e + St ° re . *?Ptf n «» and peace 4 to the for eveTSore yesterday and to-day, the same 111. ChurS c iJ M th! ffi* ffift - of tho DMne Redeemer to His th? Di 2? J" ratlv *e presents .innumerable scenes from infiJt* l! 0 ee ? er S Pu b lic which reveal His and We Tt nn d ' Wl ? dom combined with infinite mercy c Lnf a T arS , to m - e that the closin 'S sce »c the LSI iiT eni in BU t*imWy and grandeur surSound Him 1c1 c i aS S athere d the chosen disciples dSsset Tuol , - n the + words of Ev^geKst : "Cum St John Chrv^ + 6ral} n mUUd0 ' in finem dilexit eos -' S£ a « % interprets the words in finem to X Sve SUP Th. me Cr ° Wnsn S manifestation offfis inlimb. HemJkl?Kn S ?\ d COm f e + to eat of the Pascha l He enshrined g 7n B°K \° ? he MoSt Ui^ A& a Sacrifice aib-olocaust infimtelJ he ff rr h ° f fust °f His own divine life, Pleasing to the Fs+w CUltful an L d '"-reaching and allHimself the heavpnw ; a \ a Sacram^t. He became faithful souls V nounsh »Hmt, strength and joy of simplicity, combined wik^fi *? , less rem arkable tor

Jan* the incomparable offering or divine worship, and tluoughout all tame brings a paradise on earth within the reach of the- faithful soul. th'c?Lw'°°2 a ! ta^ the °hurch every day perpetuates ths holocaust of the Divine Redeemer; and the Pro- ' fj? are- fulfilled: < From the rising of .the sun/ SnfilP? the S ol ' n S My name is great 'among the is <£&» tn m 6Very P lace , ther e is sacrifice and there i« Jtt + My name a clean oblation: -for My name jMaiach i am ?i S ) G * ntileS< Saith the L ° rd o£ » ost^ th^tasf ll S rS me !'^f + a + C - CUSed af mullrDlying sacrifices of holooSS nf n slutostltutis l utostltutin g them for one all-satisfying fISS * f £ alvar 55 r ' alld <« thus derogating to the dignity and: efficacy of the sacrifice of the Cross Such from that nf+ffT* 10 "' !V S not a di^rent sacrifice -i ™Mn Sa ye" < v*L Pe ii C s P^ ated '" f eaven - ™" Lamb S ?rs ay a e nd 'it™?^ YeU * iouS i^^ioT Such" pray" £^^ c^v a^t «- art ™t S ineSiP^ii gin - g Wi t hin the 0 7 faithful JSSS • termS f!f ? e^ ngS T, of the holoc aust of Hiis life, sufas &v nr P i eath \ Durin & lhe Holy Sacrifice -we' are £ lvl J Present to "our Blessed Lord, as were the Le r S S at Bet ' hl f^ n1 ' as were the disciples in Galithe font S fT rr o the faithf^ women of J^usalem at toL m t tj e Cross on Calvary. We offer to God the most perfect) tolooaust all-ple a sing in His sight we perform the sublime-st act of divine worship, Ind JSJS P^.^ating the Divine Majesty we may P confiwe nl sLn PP d el t On neS. "" the "I* l ** <* Which TPi+w lo^ 6lloll^ lhe trying time of Persecution our f£t£y, brav ? d e very hardship, and faced death itsSf that they might assist at tho Holy Sacrifice. The t^TT l^ ?- hver c romwell, in his pride of tyranny, mm a de it his boast that wheresoever his sword could reach no Mass would be said. And yet despite his threats the faithlul in Ireland assembled on the hill-sides and in the remote valleys or silent caves, at morning- s dawn, around the rude altar where, under the broad canopy of heaven, the good shepherd, leady to lay down, his life for his flock, bidding defiance to the wind and hail and snow, offered - up the Holy Sacrifice. Such heroism was invincible, such Viety oouM not but be crowned with the abiding victory that heaven- has accorded to it. t ipi? d !l ere aiw > th6r thought preslents itself.. Whilst fulfilling her marvellous mission the Church has availed oi tne auxiliary aid, which the arts in their varied resources presented, and at the same time she perfected those arts in their highest ideals - and crowned tfloro with immortal splendor. Even in the Catacombs wu-ii the sword" of persecution ever impending over them, the early Christians were intent on the adornment of the centres *of sacrifice, and of the shrines of devotion to the intent that the material structure might in some way embody their conceptions of the Sacrifice which was offered, and of the Deity Whom they adored a nd' might gi."e expression to their piety and love. When -peace smiled upon the Church then indeed were the monuments of religion multiplied .by the faithful, resplendently showing forth their ardor of devotion and tfte'ir conception of the supreme worship which is the Creator's due. Better than any words of mine, an expert in the sphere of Christian art will tell you of the triumphs achieved by Holy Church in this indirect outcome of her Divine irission. ' How little could friend or f o e of the new-born Faith have foreseen that out of it there should unfold itself a poetry infinitely greater, an art infinitely higher than the old world had ever seen; that this Faith which looked so rigid, so austere, even so

forbidding, should clothe -itself in forms of grace and loveliness .such as the world had never dreamt of before ; or that a' day should arrive when above many a dark vault and narrow crypt, where now the Christian worshippers gathered in secret, should arise 1 domes and cathedrals embodying loftier ideas, because Ideas relating to. the eternal and the infinite, than all those Grecian temples which now stood so fair and so strong ; b,ut which aimed not to lift men's hearts and minds" from the earth which they adorned. . . Christian architecture had done many wonderful things ; but it had not spoken its last word, nor shown all which it could accomplish, until the unfolding toward the close of the 12th century of that which is as -the bright consummate flower, the crown and completion of all which had gone 'before. Words are weak to express ,the unairvel and the glory of the <Uu-ildH)gi which in emulous rivalry covered in a little while the face of Germany, of Northern. France, of England. For the building, which now, obedient to ifoe architect's wand, sprang up, was not merely a stupendous fabric of richest elaboration, of rarest audacity of conception. It was in all its parts, in great and in small, a" symbolism, the embodiment in material forms of an idea, and that idea the grandest which the world has known ; a spiritual poem taking visible shape and fashion before the eyes of men ; admitting the amplest variety in detail, but not the less under law ; as much under a law ever present and ever active as the- " Divine Comedy " of Dante, and like it a poetry and a' theology in one.' , \< I have said that the Church in a marvellous way,' throughout the course of centuries reproduces the Di-i! vine characteristics ■ of the Redeemer's mission. She,, preaches Christ crucified and perpetuates His lessons of, Divine Truth. She preserves for the faithful and im-' parts to them the treasures of divine graces and the supernatural life in the Holy Sacraments. Unceasingly, she offers -up the holocaust of- perfect worship of thelj Most High itn the Sacrifice of the Mass. ; But might I not perhaps have given more accurate expression to these great truths by stating that the Divine Redeemer Himself ever living in His Church perpetuates through her those ineffable gifts of His infinite mercy and love, His truth, His life, His- sacrifice. In this ever-abiding presence of our Saviour 'in Holy Church have we not the secret of that divine vitality which characterises her, and of the manifold triumphs which age after age have marked her ever-victorious career. Towards the close of the 4th century St. John Cforysostom in, one of his eloquent discourses to the faithful of Antioch, described the Catholic Church as invincible. For four centuries all the powers of this world had warred against her, and she had not been oviercome ; the false wisdom of the world, and the passions of evil-designing men, and the arts of Satan had all been marshalled against her in - vain. This, says the great Doctor of the Church, is a standing miracle which every one who has eyes to see can see, a manifest miracle which even those - who assail the Church cannot gainsay. Fifteen centuries' have run their course since Chrysostom thus pronounced the very existence qi the Church to be a standing miracle. Throughout those centuries the Church has ever been on the battlefield, but all the efforts of hell have been in vain against her. With manifold greater reason, 'then, may we > not in deepest gratitude to the Most High repeat St. Chrysostom's words, the Church of God is; invincible. Sustained by divine power and wisdom,- it is a standing miracle which even its assailants cannot gainsay. And now in conclusion, may I not be permitted to recognize in the development of religion here among yourselves in this fair land, another distinctive feature which like the seal of heaven set upon the mission of the Holy Church, is a sure pledge of the choicest blessings reserved for a chosen people. The" Psalmist's words have indeed been fulfilled : ' Euntes ifoant ,et fleibant,' going forth they sowed the seed and watered it with their tears : they return exulting, bearing on their shoulders the richest harvest sheaves. The beginnings) of the Church amongst you were as the tiny mustardseed. Difficulties, beset its growth such as. to all human calculation would be insurmountable"; and yet- despite all this It has attained the fair and stately proportions which to-day rejoice your citizens. It is only a few years, since one of your pioneer citizens, Mr. Thomas Poynton, passed to his reward. He was 1 already in the summer of life, when he came hither the first Catholic resident in New Zealand, and yet before he closed his eyes in peace, he saw four dioceses erected, which, embracing the whole Colony, were fully equipped with clergy and, churches, with schools and institutions of charity, and bringing the consolations of religion to almost 90,000 faithful souls. I refer with particular pleasure to this Irish pioneer of the Faith amongst you, because he links the begin-

nings of religion here with ruy own beloved, diocese of Sydney. Mr. Poynton had carried on business for some years in Sydney, and he had taken to himself a Catholic wife. When she was born in {Sydney in 1811, there was not in all Australia a Catholic priest "to administer the Sacrament of Baptism to her; Six' years later when a volunteer priest, Father "Flynn, landed 'In Sydney, he was thrown into prison, for the Government" of the day had decreed that there would be no place for the Catholic Church in Australia, and to that priest in prison, the child, now six years" old, 'was brought to receive the waters of Baptism.' In 1828 this devoted .wonnan landed with her husband at Hokianga. The following year a child- was born to' her. There was no priest in New Zealand,- and the heroic mother with her infant set out on a journey of 1200 mUes to Sydney, that at the hands of Father Therry her babe might, be regenerated In holy Baptism. Two years later she makes the journey a second time by v still longer route, for the vessel sailed around by Tasmania, that her second child might in like manner be baptized. Such religious journeys of more than ' 1000 miles which mark the beginnings of the Faith' in, .Auckland are, I think, unique in the history,, of the Church. Meantime, other Irish Catholics 'have settled, around Hoki'anga, and in- their name in. 1835, Mr., .Poyntloai •makes again the journey to Sydney to petition "that the little scattered -flock in New Zealand would not-, "be left without a pastor. ■ I need not dwell upon the. anafliy dangers and difficulties that beset "the r first: zealous Bisihiop and priests who. landed here. The, church Yin > which we are assembled recalls one scene which- - will serve- as a specimen of. them all. A church was to be erected here dedicated to the Most. High, under- -the/invocation of St. Patrick. The stones for the. Jbuilding were duly landed on the wibarf, but how , w«?re , they to be borne up the hill to this commanding site. The zealous priest will himself undertake the task,., He takes a Mock of stone on his shoulder and bears ,'she burden hither. Brave soldiers, however, were . , then stationed in Auckland. They were the 88th Irish' Regiment, known as the Connaught Rangers. .With- the Commandant's leave they undertook the work, and, borne on the shoulders of these devoted men, the whole material for the old St. Patrick's was gathered here where we are now assembled. The wars ol 1860 .and the following years brought utter ruin to the religious works among the brave Maori race, and overwhelmed the zealous Bishop with anxious cares. Ignorant prejudice, bigotry, studied misrepresentation, the. basest slanders, all beset his path with such relentless, persistency, that men would shake their heads and say the Catholic Church is doomed in Auckland. And yet the mi'ljk-white hind was fated not to die. "To whom is due the -victory of religion over aU its foes ? ' You already anticipate my words. That a glorious and abiding victory was achieved, and that religion came forth in triumph from all the assaults that were made against it, was 1 in a great measure due, to the heroic nuns who, in those terrible days, of trial, never flinched from 1 the post of danger*' but fearlessly anjd ■ persever- ' ingly' prayed and worked for the. peace .of 'Jerusalem, and rested not till the , standard of the Cross .which they kept ever uplifted, was richly adorned with the laurels of victory. - . - Those .. days of trial have long since passed away. Your illustrious Bishop and his- devoted clergy - pursue their sacred mission in the paths of - peace, arid * the outpouring of heaven's blessings in rich abundance- recompenses your love of religion, your piety, and -your 1 zeal. 'Dearly beloved faithful of Auckland, I offer you my heartiest -' congratulations on tne earnestness "and devo-ted-ness "of 'which you have given* abundant proof, carrying "on' to completion this gem of a Cathedral, so fair in its proportions, so perfect in 1 -its architectural merit, so rich in its ornamentation, and arrayed in beauty "even as to its. minutest details.- "Thus- equipped 'in - everything that is- needed, Holy: Church will be en"abled in the fullest- measure "to- i carry on unfettered her glorious mission, amongst- you.^ Here> the lessons of heavenly wisdorri, the priceless, heritage of the Redeemer's_ love shall be unfolded ;- to -you. Here you will partake- of the Sacramental Graces ••■ and dacaw forth waters in gladness from the fountains of our Saviour. Here day by day the Holocaust of expiation will be offered up, and the Patriarch's vision shall be again verified ; the angels guardian of Auckland will bear aloft from this .sanctuary of piety as fragrant incense to the golden altar of the Lanab, the prayers' and' petitions of your fervent hearts, and they will bring back In overflowing abundance from the Throne of Mercy the blessings 'and spiritual gifts for which you prayed. You have achieved a noble work. Holy- Church, will long cherish in fond memory the manifestation of your piety, and your devotion for the beauty of God's

House, and the inspired words of my text shall be fulfilled in you : ' Pray for the peace of Jerusalem ; and rray abundance be unto them that love thee.' . ~ ' At the conclusion' of the Mass, his Lordship Dishop LeniHan expressed his thanks to Cardinal Moran for having come from Sydney to perform the ceremony, and for thj. beautiful historical sermon preached by him.. His Lordship . also read a special message of congratulation on the completion of the Cathedral, which had been recei.ed from his Holiness Pope Pius X., and which was accompanied by the Papal Blessing. A beautifully wrought reliquary, containing relics of^ \arious sai ts, had been prorided for the occasion, and* was to be deposited in the hagh altar of the Cathedral. The collection at the ceremony in aid of the Cathedral d.'bt amounted to £590. THE LUNCHEON After Mass his Eminence the Cardinal, visiting prelates, and clergy were entertained at dinner in the Con,\ent school by Bishop Lenifoan. The local clergy were aso present. The school was beautifully decorated. Bishop Lenihan presided and proposed the toast of the 'Po^e, and' King,' and thon that of 'his 'Eminence Cardinal Moran.' His Lordship said he rejoiced exceedingly that hia Eminence's hsaLh had been preserved to enable him to ma'-e a stormy sea-passag<e in order to be present "wi.h them that day. He had been in communication' wivh all the prelates of Australasia in connection with the celebrations of the dedication of the Cathedral, and one and all had replied in the most sympathetic terms, wishing him every success in his undertaking. iWhile' all could not find at convenient to attendi he had received a very liberal response to his invitations; and ' the gathering of high dignitaries of the Chuich there assembled was probably unilque in the history of the Church in New Zealand. The Archbishop of Melbourne would have gladly been with them but for the fact that he was in the midst of preparation for x his visit to Rome. He replied' expressing his regrets and forward-^ ing a cheque for £21 towards the Cathedral fund. Bishop Verdon w a s leaving the next day to take passage by the ' Oihir,' en route lor Rome. The Australian prelites had 1 come to Auckland at great inconvenience. Bisho.) Gallagher, of Goulburn, assisted at his consecration, and of course he had a right to look after him, and Bishop O'Connor felt that he must come. They were all d -lighted to have his Eminence with them, and lie wondered how the gocd people of Sydney allowed him to leave them, even fo.r a little' while. On behalf of the clergy and people, he b n g^el the Cardinal to recognise the resw,ct and admiration in which they held him. His (the Bishop's) sincerest hope was that his Eminence would be long preserved t 0 rule so wisely and_ well in his beloved Australia. His Eminence thinks he has lived a goodly number of years (remarked the Bishop)' but yesterday, when he was at the Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, he recognised that he was about the youngest there. At any. rate he hinted as much. Together win i the other Bishops of the Province, he hopnd that the time was not far distant when his Eminence would visit New Zealand aejain. The toast of the ' Cardinal was then taken with musical honors. His Eminence Cardinal Moran; in .reply, said • he dil not Vnow how to return thanks for the enthusiasm with which they h\d received the toast.- I have' already sroVen at some length, said his Eminence, and some of my Mends are most anxious to have something to' say. but I certainly must thank his Lordship for inviting me to be associated with him in the beautiful ceremony of tn-dqy. It was most striking;, strengthening, and corrf rting to see the great concourse of . people-assem- '^ in the beautiful Cathedral to do honor to- your ilI'str'ous Rishon on the oompletion of this splendid wor ', just accomplished. The Cathedral is the centre of thp Usht and religious enthusiasm of the whole diocese" and a magnificent monument to the generosity of a devo cd l reorilg. It was a -pleasure to be -associated with . your illustrious.- Bishop, who was untiring in his efforts - to mafoe our; visit one/ continuous holiday. - After a magnificent recentionv we were sent to Rotorua, where the asspm^r^d to see us, and the fine old- Maori race pave us a h°arty welcome, ■ and I may say.* that the Miori welcome more than recompensed us in making the l-n-2thy trip from Sydney to Auckland 1 , and a long train iourrev from Ai'cMand to Rotoma. It was a magnificent end grand display of tho^e Maori chiefs and f-l!owers. It was really a grand thine to witness, and I would be prepared to come f r om Sydney hal f a dozen times t 0 he present at a Maori function Kkp that. A great many of our Australians must realise wh->t v fm° rare the Maoris are : their lan^uafre is so noetic and CYnre<s.«ive. arid the noMe hearine; of their chiefs cn-ild scarcely be surpassed in any other race. I trust that

the race will be preserved, and their language handed down. It would be a terrible* fatality if -your Government were to allow such a race to "perish, and their language to be forgotten. I notice many improvements since 'my last visit to Auckland, 22 years ago. - .Tnen there were many institutions in various -stages of development, now that development has been completed: Your i-isbop is justly proud of his palace. My visit to the grand Mater Misericordiae Hospital, conducted by .the Sisters of Mercy, impressed upon me that here was the boginrAng of what will be one of the grandest institutions of its.- kind in New Zealand, while the beaullfulcoUege af the Marist Brothers, and other, institutions ha/c arrived at their perfection Since I- was here amongst you. This shows that religion in Auckland its not stagnant. These institutions are perfect in their way, still they are but the beginning of greater works. You will be compelled to cross swords with Australia in the near future, but the struggle will be along friendly iines^for Australia is lcolung with kindly - intercut on your development. I congratulate you on your grand prosperity. Your ■ Government has developed along lives cf sound democracy, and from day;' to "day marks out - t'..e pathway, not only to Australia, but even fa the Home ■ go> ernments, pointing ; out How 'they- -must - pursue these avenues of go /eminent tending to the highest measure of happiness for all. I look forward- to the future ; you a re only making a beginning .of: what will one '^• y ; be ,. a great i2 te g ral Part of the Empire. I do- not .think' Ihit any d-ocese in, the world could! have extended a heartier welcome than you accorded us last Sunday ITS? £ 7 °". r Pe SPH tui : ned out iin> thousands to give us a hearty and enttastiastic reception. For my own part I thank you most heartily for that welcome, which, must serve r as a model for othersv When vdsiting that institution, fox aged poor, I was pleased' to find there old people just as- old as myself, and I remarked, on their: happiness and the wonderful care taken of them by the Sis- ' S + ft F SUC f- cir «:«mstances I should "not be surpfis,od to see them Irre to be 100. In some way your city seems to re-produce everything that is best in Sydney •Our batter is , fame d for its bbaky, and you have no reat i harbor , ifc has beauty all its own and will always ran^e amonqst the finest harbors of the worlX The Sty itself is dclio-htfully situated for a brilliant future and is amen? ; the grandest and most favored cities not only of New Zealand, but of the whole cE AustraKa (LonJ and continued applause), v^wig. t oJhIL P al r d ' inal * h ? n Proposed the health of « Bishion nS?+ /n/ n re^y in S h is Lordship stated that the priests and people had helped him in every way -to Th rr P r7 vo U ms -P lans - T hey were not a wealth^ Jeople The young priests were as anxious for the welfare of the diocese as he and the older priests, and but for thTnl ca A rty i, CO "i )p l ration he could d 0 ahsoiutely nothing Auckland, he considered, was at one time'badly si+t + f <> r » during a period of five years, they were without a Bishop, and on another occasion a spiritual head was badly wanted for twenty months : then Bishon Luck, one of the .finest men he ever kneV, came ' 3 put .everything in good- order. When' he died Rome again dad Auckland another 'injustice. He' thought they > had been forgotten", they appointed him Bishop (laughter). -He was about to leave for Rome with no ' misgivMigs, as he knew that in leaving the affairs of the diocese to Dean Gillan they could not be in better hands. It was through his instrumentality, coupled with Father Holbrbo'k and the .priests of St. Patrick s; that he had been enabled to bring- the completion of the Cathedral to a successful issue. With such ■ an able lieutenant he could look forward to his trip' as a long holiday, and knew that on Ms return everything would be in order. " . Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly proposed' the toast of th© Visiting Prelates,' and in doing so he referred to 'the Arch/b'ishOD as -an illustrious metropolitan who, on account of his burning eloquence, had been called the' star of the south. There was Bishop Gallagher, of Goulburn Onown as ' the Demosthenes of Australia); "and Bishop Verdon, a relative of , their distiniejuiisihed "Cardinal, and last but not' least Bishop O'Connor, of Arm»idale, who was famous' for - his geniality— a/n Irishman in every senpe'of /the" word. : His Grace Archbishorj Redwood, in the course of his reply, said "the celebrations they had just assisted! at would te handed down as one of the biggest events in the history of the Church- in New Zealand. He hinted that the Cardinal might 'be expected to> - visit Wellington, about this time next year to lay the foundation of the new Cathedral, and if that visit came about he could .'promise. his Eminence that a hearty welcome would ; l await fiiim, perhaps, if it were pos-

(Continued on page 22.)