DIAMOND JUBILEE of the AUCKLAND DIOCESE

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8, 27 February 1908, Page 22

DIAMOND JUBILEE of the AUCKLAND DIOCESE

(Concluded from page 15.)

sible, on even a .larger scale than in Auckland. In. completing the "Cathedral at a comparatively moderate outlay Bishop Lenihan accomplished what. a less experienced cairipaigjtier might reasonably have spent on inferior work. Auckland had every reason to be grateful to his Lordship. His Grace said he recognised.that Auckland had made 'immense progress, and was a very good rival to Wellington, and it will be a neck-and-neck race during the next few years. When the new railway will be finished, about this time next year, the people of Wellington will be able to shake hands (. with those of Auckland. There will be great progress then. He would be able to pay frequent visits to Auckland then, wit/h the means of communication so much improved. Bishops Gallagher, Verdon, and O'Connor also spoke. Bishop Verdon expressed the hope that in the event of the Cardinal visiting Wellington next year, he would find time to extend his tour to the southern portions of New Zealand. He could promise that his Eminence would receive a most hearty welcome in all the centres that he \4sited. Rev. Father Mahany proposed the toast of the 1 Laity,' which was responded to by Messrs. E Mahony and J. J. O'Brien. Very Rev. Dean Hackett proposed the ' Visiting Priests,' irmentioning particularly Monsignor O'Haran. Very Rev. Father O'Shea, V.G-. (Wellington l)', responded. PRESENTATION OF ADDRESSES As early as half-past four o'clock people sought admittance to the Cathedral, and by seven o'clock the sacred edifice was crowded, hundreds being unable to get in. At seven o'clock a procession, consisting of the Cardinal, Bishops, and clergy, left the presbytery for the Cathedral. As the procession entered the sacred edifice the organ pealed forth a triumphal march. When the Prelates and clergy had taken tlue'ir seats in the sanctuary, Bishop Lenihan, ©peaking to the congregation, said the address from the priests would not be read, but would, with other addresses, be subsequently forwarded to his Eminence the Car- ' dinal. Mr. Mahony, accompanied by Mr. J. Lynch (faon. and Mr. M. J. Sheahan (hon. treasurer), read the address from the laity. Bros. Corbett (district president), Dane, Nerheny, Kane, Sheehan, all in regalia, presented the address from the New Zealand District of the Hibernian Society, which was. read by Bro. M. J. Sheaihan. The address from the St. Vincent de Paul Conferences was read by Mr. C. Little, the address from the Catholic clubs of the Dominion by Mr. • Jas. Mc'Kenna, who was accompanied by Rev. Brother ■ George and Mr. J. J. Furlong, The following address from the clergy of the diocese was presented to his Eminence :—: — I ' May it please your Eminence,—A generation has passed since the clergy of Auckland had the happiness of welcoming your Eminence to ithis the • mother Siocese of New Zealand, and during the years that have passed by since your last' visit there are many who have gone for ever from amongst us, and whose faces you will miss of those who welcomed you then to our shores with all the warmth of Irish hearts which they felt for one of Ireland's illustrious sons. During that interval also the priests of this diocese, and in fact of all New Zealand, have followed with just pride the career of your Eminence in Australia in your championship of our holy faith on many trying occa- . sions, and in your ceaseless advocacy of Ireland's cause. Your voice, your pen, and your purse have ever been at the service of those two noble_ causes, and at - an age when many think that their life's task is completed your exertions for Faith and Fatherland are undiminished. Great Britain loves to honor those of her sons who extend the limits of her dominions,, and callsthem Empire-builders ; the Church honors those" of -• her , sons with an imperishable renown who. extend, the frontiers or the prestige of the Empire of Christ on earth." We recognise that • during the time which your Eminence has Sipent In the Southern Hemisphere you have indeed raised the status of the Church ; you have cn r hanced the prestige of the old Faith in these new lands, and caused it and its children to be respected in an eminent degree. It is recognising this in - common with the rest of the clergy of New Zealand that we wish to pay our homage of admiration and gratitude to your Eminence for your labor.' The address from the laity was as follows :—: — 1 May it please your Eminence,—We, the Cathqlics of

this -diocese, desire to tender a hearty welcome to your Eminence. It is now two and twenty years since yWr Eminence visited us, and then it was our privilege and honor -to welcome you to. Auckland, and to a diocese' in which but seventy years ago the faith was planted by Bishop , Ponnpallier, whose jurisdiction extended throughout the whole. of New Zealand and the Pacific group. Since your visit the Colony, now called the Dominion, has grown apace, -and with it the city of Auckland and its surroundings. The old Cathedral, „..- built in 1848, in which your Eminence, was last received, ha-s, with the march of progress both temporal and spiritual, been demolished and replaced by the present' • edifice. At an advanced age and with so many cares to occupy your attention in your own archdiocese,your Eminence has -graciously accepted the invitation of our zealous and beloved Bishop, under whose active guidance this building has just been completed, and you .- are here to-day to dedicate the work so -successfully accomplished by. him through the loving - support of the faithful who here, ' as everywhere, are always ready to co-operate in erecting • and beautifying temples to ; -the honor and glory of God and the advancement "of His work. Your Eminence is known throughout the whole world as an unswerving and watchful' prelate and prince of the Church, and as a conspicuous upholder 1 and defender of our holy religion.. And we look upon your visit as another evidence of your" readiness to co L ' operate in every good world for the welfare of theChurch; Your zeal in the cause of Ireland and the - esteem "in which you- _ are held by your countrymen and by all ardent - lovers of liberty and justice -are too -' well known for us to say -more than that we join in"- r the chorus of praise resounding on all sides for your • ardent and noble patriotism. Once more •we welcome • your Eminence and we pray that the function > at"- 1 ' which we have the honor to assist this day may be accompanied by God's blessing, and that the visit of> •• your Eminence may •be looked back to by ' you for '. many years to came with the same pleasure as it'has been looked forward to by every member o f O ur -community. . • We now subscribe ourselves on "behalf of the Catholics of this diocese your Eminence's most obedient subjects, J. T. Boylan (committee 1849), P.- Darby(trustee), E. Mahony (chairman), M. J. Sheahan ' (treasurer), M. J. Lynch (secretary), P. J. Nerheny (St. Patrick's),- P. Brophy (St. Benedict's), D. Plynni (Sacred Heart), T. Mahoney (Paanell), J. J. O'Brien (Devonport).' The following waisjthe address from the New Zealand District of the H.A.C.B. Society :— ... ' May it please your Eminence,— On behalf of the New Zealand District of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society we greet you with a hearty * Cead mile failte.' When it became known throughout this Dominion that your Eminence was to visit us for the .purpose of dedicating St. Patrick's Cathedral, which stands as a monument of the energy and zeal of his - Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan, Auckland's beloved Bishop, a thrill of joy went through our branches. Now that we have you in our midst even .for a short interval, we are deeply grateful and highly hon- . ored. As a prince of our Holy ' Church we proudly proclaim our fealty to you. Your scholarly exposition, and constant defence of its sacred truths, have always aroused -our admiration, and re-kindled within us our love for the old faith. Your strenuous efforts to ameliorate the hard conditions of the residue of our race in the Old Lamd have endeared you to our hearts. You have striven to inculcate into the youthful minds of the Commonwealth an ardent love for Ireland, her glorious yet sad "history, and her long heroic struggle for the right to govern herself. To" our Society, as its chief chaplain, your Eminence has always 'been a true friend and a tower of strength. We earnestly pray that God in His infinite mercy may long spare - you to guide ' the destinies and guard the interests of faith and fatherland.' - . • We' beg to remain ever yours devotedly, John Corbefct (district president), Edward Dane (district vicepresident), 'Patrick Joseph Nerheny (past' district president), -Michael Joseph Sheahan (district treasurer) , William Kane (district secretary').' ' " The St. Vincent de Paul Society's address was as follows- : — "*" ~ ' _ . 1 May it please your Eminence,— The members- of the, various Conferences of the Society of St. Vincent .-de ■ Paul in the city of Auckland are desirous of tendering „to your Eminence a hearty welcome, - and of showing their deefci appreciation of, your splendid efforts in the cause of- charity. Since the work of the Society was inaugurated in Australasia, you have ever been earnest in -fostering it, blessing it, and extending' the sphere , of , its influence. • We are confident that your recent ex- .

posure of so-called charitable organisations operating in your arendiocese has had a very beneficial influence on the work, of Catholic charitable institutions in • these lands, by. bringing before the public the unselfishness of - those engaged -in fulfilling the- interests of true charity. In the., challenge which you issued to them, you reechoed the words of the founder of our Society — ' Show us your works '—in answer to the taunts •of infidels and sceptics. The works of the St. Vincent de Paul Society — the good results accruing from visiting the poor in their homes, the little helps they receive in. a spiritual and temporal sense— are well (known to your Eminence. /It is for this reason that you have so nobly championed our cause,- instituting; orphanages and refuges, and by voice and pen extolling the work of the Society. We pray that you may long be spared to the Australasian Church, of which you have been such a shining light. 'In conclusion we huinibly asik a blessing on our Society, and remain your faithful children in St. Vincent de Paul, C. Little (St. Patrick's)., G. Littte (St. Benedict's), W. Fallan- (SS. Michael and George)-.' Address from the Federated Catholic Young Men's Clubs. ••' May it please your Eminence,— To us, the undersigned members of the Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Association, has been given the privilege of extending to your Eminence, on behalf of the Federated Catholic Young Men's Clubs of New Zealand, a hearty welcome to our shores. While we are justly proud of the remarkable development in recent years of these organisations for the welfare of ovr Catholic youth,- we are nevertheless not insensible to the fact that the pioneers of the movement in this country took as their models of constitution and government the very excellent associations which, under your Eminence's paternal guidance and • direction, are at present in such a flourishing condition in the archdiocese of Sydney. The Catholic men of New Zealand remember with pleasure the important part played by your Eminence in bringing about the - Federation of the Australian States, and with gratitude the noble example you set them of the ideal statesman— a lesson to all iren that, in addition to tne duty of. loyalty to God and the Church, there is the duty of service to their country. We • have read with delight your Eminence's scholarly work on the rise and progress of Catholicity in Australasia, and your historical researches among the records of the early Irish martyrs for the old Faith, for which our forefathers suffered, show that you have not been unfaithful to your family motto, ' Lucent in tentebris.' In conclusion, we pray that God may long spare you to us, to use 'both voice and pen for the defence of oux Faith, the chamtpioning of our cause, and the betterment of humanity. 1 For the Federated Catholic Young Men's Clubs of New Zealand, H. F. Holbrook (chaplain), Brother George (president), Jas. F. MdKtenna (secretary).' THE CARDINAL'S REPLY His Eminence Cardinal Moran, in replying to the addresses, said >:—: — I accept with pleasure the beautiful addresses so replete with sentiments of affection and devote&ness which you have been pleased to present to my brother Bishops and myself, and I beg to assure you that we reciprocate in the fullest ' measure those endearing s< ntiments in regard to your illustrious Bishop, his zealous clergy, their faithful people, and your enlightened citizens. We accept these addresses with the greater pleasure since you welcome us to your beautiful city not as strangers but as friends, as your brothers in the Faith, fellow-memlbers- of the one mystical body of Christ, which is His Holy Church. Many visitors hasten 'to your shores in search of the health and strength which yorr invigoratine; cl'mate 5s known to impart ; many come to enjoy the unrivalled scenery of your coasts, and the magnificent panoramas which your wide-spreading plains and glorious mountain ranees present':, and many also, who are seeikiwgi their laurels in the political .arena . will visit your favored Islands, anxious -to contemplate the grand results whichi in this youthful and vigorous Dominion a sage democracy, guided, by enlightened statesmanship, has been able to achieve. We would' fain to be associated with all these pilgrrms in the pleasant lessons which they cannot fail to receive, but in the oresent instance we come amongst you with a yet higher and more ennobling- purpose. Th* nioneer bastions, priests and faithful neople of this beautiful district of Auckland accomplished' in their day a- grand and '- noble work". They were mew of profound piety, of enlightened zeal.^ of boundless , generosity, and of indomitable enthusiasm) in promotine- the sacred cause of - religion. ■ They lawis deep and solid the foundations of the edifice of Divine Faith, from which would one day radiate the bless-

ings of piety throughout the whole of these vast regions. They were indeed' the pioneers of religion, noli for >c*ar own immediate district only, but for the whole of these beautiful Islands'. " And thus, as long as time shall last, it will be" the prowl distinction of Auckland that it was the cradle of relgion for your flourishing Dominion, and the fouintain-spring in which the beneficent religious streams of' New Zealand s piety had their souoroe. ' Your illustrious Bishop, heir of the piety, enlightenment, and zeal of "those vqherable pioneers, aided by a zealous clergy and a generous people, has carried on towards completion the great work of -religion which' they had so' au^ icaously begun. St Patrick's Cathedral may be saad to> compendiate the whiole of the - great work which, religion accomplishes, and its completion in all its perfection and " crowning grace, symbolizes the manifold triunr hs wlw h your 7e a l and piety and generosity have attar ned'. We re;cice to be associated with you inthe festive celebrations of these triumphs, wit-ft-sses of your j i ty, and partakers of your joy. We ' are happy to attest that your zeal and enlightenment and' enthusiasm in. the cause of religion find thfir counter part in our own Australian Commonwealth. Our 'Peo-le enjoy in th- full. at measure the blessings which a free constitution imparts ;, patriotism is racy of the sail, a genuine patriotism which, 'sanctified bj' religion, and sustained, strengthen -d and quickened by enlightenment, cannot fa'l to build up a great ?ni prosperous natirn. Our statesmen are engaged in framing projects at 'defence by land and sea to miafd our sea-girt c n- ot.n^n<-, ?nl ropel eery enemy th\t may assail our liberties ; our clergy axe united in promoting the religious interests cf an enlightened peowlc ; churches and schools anil lns'atuti-ns of- charity and beneficence are studded everywhere throughout our fair l>nd ; centres of piety enlightenment and 1 peace, si'ent witnesses', which none can erauisay, to the imdomita 1 le (union that bands Wether the fciithr-1 pastors f,nd their demoted flocks Thus we are Hinted, with you in the tri le bond of Da me Faith, of loyalty to the Throne, and of enthusiasm, in promoting e-ery good wor'c which piety, education, and charity may command. Th- sacred cause of genuine -patriotism snd reliinon, which such a un'on represents, cannot but hold a prnma-e-t place in the pains" of the world's progress, and. <hffiiisinec far and wide around it, the blessiTgvL^reSs: haPpin6SS F6aCe ' Shall a^ hie ™ Rid At r he .f 00011181011 of <*c address by his Eminence, BishoTi ■ Lenihan ga-e a short stat-m-nt. showin- the amount of money exnended on the .Cathedral. A sum of I,J f^ aS exv l*^ d &ince Ma y> ]905 . whilst the total 41 P k\ WGV ? ,£5, £5 , 2 ' 36 ' lea in * a debit bal - anc e of- £4739 The Bishon bade farewell to his people, and hoped to meet +?Y? V ,+, + ' he , NeW Year * At the Bisriop's re- ? b if TThT hhh ° le of the .congregation stood up a *d SSSr, ' TThi hhh ° U \ the slnei "Sof 'Faith of Our Katneis. The choir sang 'The Heavens are Telling T and the Te Deum.' Pontifical Benediction was given by Bishop .lenihan, and at the conclusion of the ceremonies hundreds were waiting outside to see the Cardinal, and as he came out of the presbytery cheer after cheer rent the air. The visiting Prelates were also accorded hearty cheers at they dro^e off behind the Cardinal's ...carriage to the episcopal palace. > So ended a memorable day in the history of the Church in the Auckland diocese. WELCOME BY THE SCHOOL CHILDREN -An enthusiastic reception was accorded to the Car- * d'mal iby 15-00 or- 16 0 children from the Catholic schools of the city at St. Benedict's Hall this (Monday) morning. The Cardinal, accompanied by Bishop Lenihan, visiting Prelates, and clergy, arrived at the "hall shortly after eleven o.' clock, and was received by a guard of honor composed of boys from the Marist Brothers ' schools. Inside the hall the .visitors were; greeted with remarkable enthusiasm.. The children sang a song of welcome, which was supplemented with . a c6uiple of. Irish selections. An address -of .welcome from combined schools' to. 'his Eminence was then read' •..by Mis®' Woods. This was- "followed by .a . farewell address to Bishop Lenihan' on the occasion of his leaving for Rome, which was read by Miss Sheahan. ■ Both young ladies read the addresses remarkably well, a fact which the Prelates very favorably commented.upon.. . ,' After reading the addresses ' each young lady-presen-ted the^Cardinal and Bishop Lenihan with beautiful bouquets of flowers, while tw 0 little girls presented similar tokens to" the other Bishops present. Cardinal Moran congratulated the little ones on the good use i they had made of the excellent trailing received from' the good Sisters and Brothers in their singing classes, also on the enthusiasm they had put' into their singing. He hoped' they -would ever cherish with fend affection that dear little. Isle of the Sea, rest-

- Ing assured that the mere love they bestowed :on the land of their fathers the more love they would have for their own country. .- In the .address New Zealand was referred to as ' God's own -country.' • Statesmen were not usually regarded as prophets, but on .occasions they were endowed with the gift -to make a pronouncement of a .prophetic nature. This moist have been the case with tiie late lamented Premier when he hit upon that happy phrase of Thomas Bracken's, ' God's own country.' If the little ones 1 at their Catholic schools profited by the lessons of virtue, piety, religion, and all other good qualities, which they were taught, their influence for good would soon take deep root in the national Kfe of the Dominion. A message that he wished to impress on their young minds was that the apostle of the Church to-day was the school. They could best follow, y in the footsteps of that apostle by entering with whole hearts into the spiritual atmosphere and life of the school, which they iriust regard as of vital importance to their well being, just as much, or more so, than books. Bishon Lenihan, addressing the children, referred tc the excell nt work which the Marist Brothers, - Sisters of Mercy, Sisters ct' St. Joseph, and Sisters -of the Mission accomplished in the education of Catholic children in Auckland. Down South, he said, they pay the Orders according to fixed scale, but the Auckland people were striving} to keep them to the letter of their vows of poverty, as they received, nothing, beyond what the children gave in fees. In this way they continued year after year th^ir educational work, ding a great amount of irood. He asked them not to forget him while away on his trip to Europe. He was going to arrange, if possiblie,'for the/ endowment. o,f Catholic schools,, so that they iriejbt be frpe, and by this means they might encourage all their children to attend their own schools. Archlbtis'hop )RedWood, and Bishops Gallagher, and O'Connor congratulated the children on the maeninccnt recaption tendered to the visitors, and tesitdnedi to the; good wor'f wln'ch the Nuns and Brothprs were accomplishing. The Cardinal granted the children a respite from school work that afternoon and tfan following day. The distinguished ra-rty thpn left the building amidst 'cheers. Th" Cardinal and Bisfaons Lendiian, Verdon, O'Connor, Gnißfnher, Monn->nor O'Haran, and Fathers, Patterson, ?nd McMullan, left at seven this e^eninigi hy the 'Victoria' *o" Crowds e^h-red round Bishon Lenihan to say farewell. Ths Fisliop was much affected. ArohMshon Redwood, the visaing and local priests, ami hundreds the Intv ga IT e tbp oartv an enthusiastic farewell. As the steamer left his E'nrn°noe wa v ed farewell to the as'-eni'MaTe on th^ wharf, "which was responded to l»y loud ch^rs. Rn en^d a memorable h'storic visit -of 'a gr^at prince of the Church. —