Rotorua

New Zealand Tablet, 12 May 1910, Page 743

Rotorua

(By telegraph from our own correspondent.)

May 9. The Rev. Father Kreymborg, who recently arrived from Europe, is spending a few days in Rotorua. The Rev. Father Wieutjes has gone to Gisborne to take charge of that parish, relieving Rev. Father Lane, who recently met with a serious buggy accident. Speaking at St. Michael’s on Sunday evening, Father Kreymborg gave an interesting account of some of the most prominent incidents connected with his visit to Europe. After describing his visit to Rome, where he visited the Catacombs and celebrated Mass at one of the primitive altars which had been preserved for hundreds of years, Father Kreymborg said he had the great happiness and privilege to be present at St. Peter’s in Rome during the beatification of Blessed Joan of Arc, when there were upI wards of 80,000 persons present, mostly French, and it was I only by special ticket that entrance could be gained. The I square outside the Cathedral was densely packed by people I unable to gain admittance. A great picture of the French I heroine had been erected in the Cathedral, and this was sur- ■ rounded by thousands of lights, presenting a magnificent I spectacle. When his Holiness put in an appearance the I enthusiasm and loving loyalty of the huge concourse inside I the sacred building was on the point of being expressed by I an outburst of cheering when his Holiness put up his hands I and thus prevented the people from giving expression to I their feelings. . Arrived before the picture, the Holy Father rose from his seat, and, going forth, bowed dawn in veneration before it. After a visit to Lourdes, at which place the preacher said it was impossible to visit the grotto without feeling the strong desire to pray, the incident which left the greatest impression on him was the visit to Cologne during the recent Eucharistic Congress. The reception to the Papal Legate exceeded in grandeur and enthusiasm any such favor bestowed on King or Emperor. A special . steamer had been chartered to convey the Legate to the

city, and the reception took place in the great Cologne Cathedral in the presence of representatives of every nationality. The greatest and most beautiful spectacle of the Congress took place on the day of the procession of the Blessed Sacrament, in which upwards of 50,000 people took part. The route was through the principal streets of the city. The procession commenced at 3.30 p.m., and terminated at 7 p.m., at which hour- Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given in the open air. It was something never to be forgotten to hear those half million people lifting up their voices in praise in that great national hymn, 1 Great God, we praise Thee,’ which was borne on the ear of the listeners like a mighty storm. Such a spectacle made one feel proud of his faith, and would be a source of great consolation to him during his labors among the Maoris. In addition to inspiring great and holy love for the Sacrament of Altar, the beauty and solemnity of the Congress were enhanced by environment. The city of Cologne itself was admirably adapted for such ceremonies : in fact, there was not another city in any other part of the world more adapted for such gatherings, and then again it possessed the most beautiful Cathedral in the world. The preacher concluded by stating that the impression received would be indelibly impressed on his mind during his life.