THE LATE KING

New Zealand Tablet, 19 May 1910, Page 772

THE LATE KING

PULPIT REFERENCES

WELLINGTON.

At all the Catholic churches of Wellington and suburbs on Sunday, May 8, sympathetic references were made to the death of his Majesty King Edward VII. The Rev. Father Hickson, S.M., Adm., preaching at the Sacred Heart Basilica, said that the British nation had to deplore the death of a wise and good Sovereign, and the people of New Zealand, being on the fringe of the world, as subjects of the great British Empire, felt, too, the great loss sustained by the death of King Edward. Out in distant parts of the British Empire the public did not come into very close touch with the ruling Powers, but they could none the less realise fully what a wise and good Sovereign had been governing the nation for the last ten years. Called to the throne after the death of one who had long occupied it—whose reign extended over half a century late King had great responsibilities thrust upon him. The King from the first showed a rare judgment and a dignity of attitude which at once compelled the admiration of the whole world, and during the subsequent years of his reign he took every opportunity possible to show that the British nation had at its head one who might well be called the First Gentleman of Europe. The King in his relations with Catholics had shown at all times, even before he ascended the throne, great broad-mindedness and a desire to place his Catholic subjects— twelve millions in all—under no disability. Frequently during his travels abroad he had attended Solemn High Mass and Solemn Requiem Mass, displaying always the greatest respect, attention, and devotion. King Edward always showed a deep interest in Ireland, and it was an open secret that he had very tender regards for the aspirations of £he Irish people in connection with their desire for self-government. Catholics, especially those hailing from Ireland, deplored very sincerely the loss occasioned by the death of the King. They had enjoyed many favors during the period of his reign. Of late years especially, England had been an asylum for Catholic priests, nuns, and monks who were exiled from France. The large numbers who had gone to England had received a very hospitable welcome. The King himself had shown a deep interest in many of the communities affected. He had visited some personally, and had shown regret, as far as he could openly do so, for the circumstances in which they were placed. And while we think of the dead, continued the Rev. Father we must also give some sympathetic thoughts to the living’ especially to those closest and dearest to the late King, and those who before, and above all others will suffer bereavement. The sympathies of all must go out to the Queen and other members of the Royal Family. The King’s son, he concluded, will be known as George V., and we wish him length of days, and hope God Almighty will give him as equally a balanced judgment as his late father’s; that he will show as he ascends the throne that he grasps the responsibility, and show wisdom, dignity, an 4 character gener-

ally, which will fit him to carry out the many duties pertaining to his lofty position. Handel's Dead March from haul was then played on the organ, the congregation standing with bowed heads. At the conclusion of the service Chopin's March Funebre ' was played. * At St. Mary of the Angels', the Rev. Father Venning at the 11 o clock Mass on Sunday, May 8, made sympathetic reference to the death of the King. During the nine years or his reign he had proved himself a good King and had earned the affection of his subjects. His efforts towards promoting peace among the nations had gained for him the title, of the Peacemaker of Europe. By his death the catholics had lost a good friend, for, on account of his peacerul disposition, he was a real friend to the Church. At the end of Mass " the Dead March was played by the organist, the congregation standing. The Very Rev. Father O'Shea referred to the death of his Majesty at St. Joseph's Church, Buckle street, and to the great loss the nation had sustained thereby. The 'Dead March was played at the conclusion of the last Mass. Sympathetic references were made at St. Anne's Church, Newtown, at all the services during the day. The Ven Archdeacon Devoy spoke of his Majesty's death as a great national loss, for the late King had proved himself a ruler that would not be easily replaced. Reference was also made to the late King's sympathy for Ireland, which had endeared him to the people of that country. After th« evening service the 'Dead March' was played. At St. Gerard's Church, Hawker street, the Rev. Father ureagh, L.Sb.R., drew attention to the nation's great indebtedness to the late Monarch. The congregation stood during the playing of the Dead March.'

Rotorua.

(By telegraph from our own correspondent.)

Feeling reference was made by Very Rev. Dean Lightheart on Sunday last to the loss the British nation had Sir m the death of , King Edward. The Catholic Church regretted deeply the sudden demise of this illustrious Monarch, _ during whose reign and that of Queen Victoria Catholicism had enjoyed perfect freedom and peace. Ihey were told by St. Peter to < Honor the King,' and the Catholics were not the least among the late King's subjects to carry this into effect, for they recognised in him the preserver of religious tolerance and a prince of peace. hX nthe t 1 1? services on Friday next the church Monarch ■ m respect to the memory of the dead Nelson. At both Masses at St Mary's Catholic Church, Nelson, on Sunday, May 8, the Rev. Father Clancy made length^ M»ri 6 1 mg ™l 6re ?? Q t 0 the K J n * s death, and the Dead gfeg C ation r Tta;S. ™ Pkyed by th "«"*■. «» CHRISTCHURCH. t fc £. o Y in g circular letter has been forwarded by his cSffurchf- meS t 0 th 6 Cl 6 1" ° f the diocese of pi •'? eV w 1 ear F i athe J and Beloved Children in Jesus Ohrist,—We have already united our grief with that of the millions who keenly feel the loss of a great and good King. Our hearts have gone out in sorrow and sympathy to the widowed Queen and her royal household we have besought the God of all mercy to comfort them in the hour ttfliwf dlSt -' a " no 7' as - lo y al sub J and true, l" B . Q " + J be of a duty imposed upon us by our holy faith no less than by the instincts of our hearts. In the midst of our sorrow let US not forget him on whom the mantle of royalty has fallen. Let us turn to the King lS 5 ™ Him from Whom all power descends and through Whom kings reign-and pray that He may deign to guide, guard and defend him who is now King and Empero! of the BIIS Empire and its immense dependencies. May he like his lamented father, ever prove the friend and father of his people. By his wisdom, prudence, and tactful counsels may he promote the prosperity of the Empire and contribute to maintain the welfare and W quihty of nations. Wherefore I will ask you to join n a novena of public prayers beginning on Whit Sunday and continuing until the following Monday week inchSy 7 The ' Vem Creator Spmtus" ("Come, 0 Holy Spirit ») with the usual versicles and prayers, shall be said each mor™ the Mo* & « and ea evening after Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament or the accustomed May devotions Wishing you every blessing. y uevonons. ' X rem ji S l us 3 Christ ear Fathei *' and Beloved Children in ' Yours very faithfully in Christ, ,_ „. , *J J. GRIMES, S.M., Bishop of Christchurch.' Addressing the congregation in the Cathedral on Sunday, May 8 on the occasion of the King's death (writes our Christchurch correspondent), the Rev" Father McDonnell said as an Irishman he mourned the death of the King and he was certain he was voicing the sentiment of the Irish nation. King Edward had teen a great King and by his wonderful powers had welded together in harmony

a lot of the conflicting elements that had been existent in the Empire. He had been a true gentleman, and it was certain that no subject had ever looked upon a better king than Edward VII. His death had come at a critical time. In the days of an Imperial democracy King. Edward had by his great powers made himself beloved and respected as a Sovereign and a man, and it was to be hoped, for the sake of humanity, that the fruits of his reign would not be destroyed by the actions of unwise people. At his special Mass the Rev. Father Daull, of the African Missions, spoke also appropriate of the occasion. He referred to the admirable manner in which the late King preserved the entente cordiale with foreign nations, particularly with France. The sad event of the death of King Edward had plunged the British Emp ; re, but not only so, but the world at large, into mourning. By his death England had lost one of her greatest kings. His was a short reign compared with that of his revered mother, Queen Victoria, but it was throughout benign and peaceful. No sooner had the late King succeeded to the throne of his fathers than his subjects realised that in him they possessed a Sovereign endowed with the qualities of tact, prudence, and wisdom in the highest degree. To-day, through his influence, the most friendly relations existed between England and the Powers of Europe. The late King entertained the highest respect for the religious convictions of his Catholic subjects, and the work of the Church prospered at home and throughout the dependencies of the Empire during his reign. & DUNEDIN. The Hibernian Defence Cadets paraded on Sunday morning with the Battalion at the Garrison Hall and marched to the Octagon with the companies that attended church parade at Knox Church. From the Octagon they proceeded to St. Joseph's Cathedral, where they occupied the seats reserved for them close to the sanctuary. Pontifical High Mass was celebrated by his Lordship the Bishop and the occasional sermon was preached by the Rev. Father U Keilly,lll the course of which he said it was fitting that he should voice the feelings of sorrow caused by the news that had reached them on Saturday week. We might still be said to be staggering under the blow of the King's death It was as yet impossible for us to realise exactly how much the death of King Edward VII. meant. Of this at least we might be sure, in his late-lamented Majesty the world had dost a great monarch, the Empire a good and wise ruler and all his subjects a kind friend and father. These words might well be applied to the late King. His life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, ' This was a man! ' Ihe preacher concluded by exhorting the congregation not miiht V l,,p C J Urch^ lth %V ffei^ lg "P a that there mJHescendon King Edward's successor the Spirit of l*od—the spirit of eae and goodwill—so that he too might " «ft C « 0B ?£ t 0 he -known by the title so honorably 2? hls f atherthe title of the Peacemaker. At the conclusion of Mass the organist, Mr. Vallis, played Chopin's 'Funeral March.' The Cadet officers present were Lieutenants Callan and Keligher. Lawrence. ft +ld t v' P atrick ' 8 Ch "™h, Lawrence, on Sunday, May &.«. -7 eV i Mgr - ? Lear y. in referring to the King's death, said: Only two short weeks ago he was dining with &b a een statesmen and diplomatists; since which time he had been travelling from country to country carrying out his Royal function for the benefit of Empire and tie good l h 2rt" .-. » M said that the late Boer War hastened the death of his august and venerable mother, Queen VicWltihVlt- n ° do ?, bt owing to his great diplomacy Shortl? a V hIS re grettable war was brought to a close ehortly after he ascended the throne. He was a great + ai l d ' humanly Speakin S' ** is to be deplored SS *S ? taen 1 away at a time when his great wisdom ?ememb;Tthat& acy Was S 0 sorely ne eded, but we S 3 remember that God's ways are not our ways and sub missively bow to the will of the King of Kings. To the Boers who were erroneously looked upon as our natural SETS ™ r S v.- al I ays a true . friend, and it is recognised MS his humane influence to grant Home Rule nfn?J n?# fn - a * h " S cement the bond of friendship and unity of Empire m a way that speaks volumes for his wise bot 8 statesman «hiP- *i God - grant that his succes! SSn'iS & George may have the unique privilege of conferring the same honor on Ireland. . . This el-eat Ki P ng has been called by public men Edward the Peacemaker, f title he has justly earned by his wise laws and prudent statesmanship Apart from his kingly power he was a great personality and as such brought to bear wisdom and knowledge of men and nations that has done incalculable good in the cause of the world's peace and progress Independently of his exalted position of King in which 'his rule was wise, prudent, just, great, and progressive, he will be missed by the masses of the people nearer Home tor his philanthropic and charitable works, as he was at all times a friend to the poor and needy. To his sorrowing Queen-wife and family our hearts go out in sympathy and condolence in their sad and sudden bereavement, and we pray God to comfort and console them in their dark hour of sorrow and affliction. ; Gore. o*„ j* ih! 11 !, o ' clo^ k .^ on Suilda y (says the Gore Standard) the Rev. Father Delany, preaching on the day's

festival, referred to the death of the King. Catholics (he said) mourned in common with others the greatest King of modern times. The King had great wisdom and tact, and possessed in a pre-eminent degree the gift of diplomacy, lhat was exercised continuously in the direction of peace. That was one reason why Catholics, in common with others, should deeply regret his death. Another reason was that he was a very tolerant King. Although compelled to formally take the Accession Oath in a form insulting to Cathel'es, there was every reason to believe that he did so unwillingly. Many of his most trusted friends were great prelates and prominent members of the Church. Another reason for loyalty among Catholic Irishmen was his great sympathy and friendship towards Ireland. All classes in that Old Land mourned his loss, and their fellow-countrymen here did the same. In this country the grievances which beset the Old Land were unknown, consequently Catholic and Irish colonists were among the most loyal of the King’s subjects. In the spirit of the festival of Pentecost »e asked his congregation to pray that the Holy Ghost might xu* x g TT^ reng^ib a , n 4 help to the Queen Mother in her trouble, that He might bring wisdom and spiritual strength to the new King that his reign might be long and like that of his father be marked by justice, tolerance, and peace. The late King had earned the name of the Peacemaker, and when King George died might such a glorious title be his also.