GOLDEN JUBILEE OF A SISTER OF MERCY, AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, 3 April 1913, Page 27

GOLDEN JUBILEE OF A SISTER OF MERCY, AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.) March 25 was a memorable day in the annals of St. Marys Convent, Ponsonby, the occasion being the elebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the profession of Mother Mary Ignatius Prendergast in the Order of Mercy. The venerable jubilarian, born in A thy, arrived m Auckland in 1859, nine years after the introduction of the Order into New Zealand by Right Rev Dr. Pompalher and Mother M. Cecilia Maher. This "ranch was a filiation from Carlow, of which convent Mother M. Cecilia had been superior. ' This saintly religious guided and sustained the young community for twenty-four years amidst the toil and hardships incidental to the first days in a new country. During her period of office, branch houses were opened in Parnell, Onehunga, Otahuhu, and the Thames. The girls'

orphanage was also in existence, and the valuable property at St. Mary's, Ponsonby, was purchased by her for the Community, where she built the present convent. She died in 1878, and to this day her memory is treasured and her virtues perpetuated in the Order. In Mother M. Ignatius' period of office the boys' orphanage at Takapuna and the Mater Misericordise Hospital were started, and a convent opened at Te Aroha. For many years she took an active part in all the works of the institute, being. especially devoted to the sick and poor. Her zeal for education was productive of much good to the Community, and she secured the valuable services of many subjects to continue the loved labors of the pioneer Sisters, and to.be trained in the religious life. On the jubilee day, Mass was celebrated at 7 o'clock by Rev. Father Brennan, and a Missa Cantata was sung at 8 o'clock by Rev. Father Ormond. The Sacred Heart Choir/ Ponsonby, rendered the Mass of St. Louis in a very creditable manner, the solos being taken by Mesdames Lowry, Hansen, and McCoy, and the Misses Lynch, Whitstead, and Casey. The solo and chorus 'Jubilate in aeternum' was sung at the conclusion of Mass. Miss Amodeo presided at the organ. The venerable jubilarian received a crown of roses and a Celtic cross at the Offertory. After Mass a dejeuner was served to the visitors in the Community-room. In a few happy words, Father Patterson congratulated the venerable Sister on her jubilee, and expressed a wish that she would live many years" to continue her good works. The Rev. Fathers Ormond, Creagh, and O'Malley offered their congratulations. Mr. P. Darby spoke for the choir, and Mr. Thornes read an address from the old pupils, accompanied with a beautiful folding writing case. At 3 o'clock a concert was given in the High School. Mr. Montague and Misses Bartley and Kelly gave recitations, and violin solos were brilliantly performed by Miss I. Bosworth, accompanied by Mr. Piper. Vocal solos were contributed by Mesdames Hansen, Hall, E. Lanigan, D. Martin, and D. Fairweather. The address was read by Miss McVeagh on behalf of the pupils of the High School. . Miss Amodeo played ' Humoresque' and accompanied the singers. The visitors then assembled on the lawn where afternoon tea was served by the Sisters. At 5.30 Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was. given by Rev. Father O'Malley. Among the visitors were : Very Rev. Dean Mahoney, Rev. Fathers Golden, McGuinness, Tormey, Furlong, and Kirrane. The Ven. Archdeacon Hackett in his eulogium on the great works accomplished by Mother M. Ignatius said: ' Rev. Mother has asked me to say a few words before the concert begins. I am very pleased to do so as I happen to know Mother Ignatius longer than any, other "priest present. She has done a great and noble work in this diocese. She has done more than Michael Angelo, the great sculptor. One day when the latter had completed a perfect work of art, he thought if it could only speak, it looked so life-like, and he took a. mallet in his hand and said: "Speak, Moses, speak." Michael Angelo left a work which will one day perish, but Mother Ignatius's work will never perish. She has trained little children and novices, and when, as a law of nature, she has passed away, she will leav? behind her thousands of little children to pray for he* and a number of holy nuns. The Apostles on Mount Thabor, at the' Transfiguration, wished to erect three tabernacles—Mother Ignatius has erected as many as the souls of the little children that she has instructed. To-day she is wearing a wreath of flowers in commemoration of her golden jubilee. It is my earnest wish that during the remainder of her life God will bless 'her, and that when the time comes for her to go to reap the reward of her labors, it will not be a perishable crown she will wear, but one that will never perish.'