WANGANUI

New Zealand Tablet, 21 January 1915, Page 43

WANGANUI

DEAN HOLLEY ON HIS TRAVELS

v That the Very Rev. Dean Holley occupies a warm place in the hearts of his parishioners -was demonstrated when a large number of the Catholic community gathered in St. Joseph’s Hall, Wanganui, to welcome him home on his return from a round the world trip (says a local paper). The chair was occupied by Mr Thomas Lloyd, who in a brief speech expressed the pleasure of the people at seeing the Dean among them again. Mr John Carmody also spoke words of welcome, as did Father Mahony. A very nice musical programme was provided by Father Moloney, Misses Wood and Cameron, and Mr McLean. Then Dean Holley gave a lengthy and interesting account of his travels, after which refreshments were partaken of, and the opportunity seized to individually welcome the Dean.

Dean Holley, who was very warmly received on rising to speak, said that the meaning of the words, “Home, sweet homo ” had never come so forcibly to him as when

he touched the shores of New Zealand a few days ago. After experiences in many lands, he was convinced that

a man’s best country is ever at home. The Dean then described the various places which he

visited on the voyage from Sydney to Marseilles. Truly France was beautiful when he and his party landed at Marseilles. He had seen it before, but never had it appeared so beautiful or so fruitful. The harvest was exceptionally bountiful, and the vines more heavily laden than ever. From Marseilles the party went to the great French naval station at Toulon, where the Marist Fathers have a large College, at which there were -lot) boarders ranging from Id to 122 or 23 years. Three of Dean Holley’s old schoolmates are professors at the College, and the re-union with them

was very pleasant. They also visited another College near Lyons, which is particularly interesting to Catholics in New Zealand bv reason of the fact that

-—His Grace Archbishop Redwood

at• the age of 12 years, began at the Marist College there, his studies for the priesthood. At that magnificent college the future Archbishop demonstrated his great intellect by eclipsing all his fellows in the literature of France, and it was a source of great pleasure to the New Zealand visitors

to see Archbishop Redwood’s name heading the scroll of fame for the particular year on the walls of the College. Dean Holley said that religious buildings in France had been confiscated by the hand of an impious Government, but amidst the ruins of religion it was a matter for joy to find so many prepared to make any sacrifice. For instance, in four or live instances where religious establishments had been put up to auction, old boys of the Marist Order had purchased the buildngs, and then invited the priests to come back and teach. In some cases they hail had to pay £50,000, £60,000, and up to £IOO,OOO to get possession of the establishments, so that the magnitude of the sacrifice could be realised.

The Eucharistic Congres

Dean Holley then went on to speak of the great Eucharistic Congress at Lourdes, tho hamlet which has grown into a city through the fame of the shrine of Our Blessed Lady and the miracles worked there. “It strikes one as strange,’’ said the Dean, “to find a city' in which the names of every' place are associated ' with holy' things. Even the hotels bear holy names. For instance,

the hotel at which I stayed is called ‘The Hotel of the Child Jesus and the Angel Guardian.’ There were a hun-

dred thousand people, independent of tire residents, present J in the city to witness the celebration. The visitors came from every part of the world, all races being represented, thus demonstrating the universality of the Church. Wonder-j ful addresses were delivered, and wonderful was the place in which they' were delivered, 50,000 people being able to hear with ease every word of a speaker during an hour’s address. Laymen as well as clergymen occupied the pulpit, one of the most beautiful discourses being given by a FrenchCanadian who holds a high position in Canadian politics. Another remarkable thing was the magnificent High Mass celebrated in the open before 70,000 people, of whom there

were quite as many men as women. ' The scene and effect, as the voices joined in the ‘ Credo,’ the ‘Gloria,’ and; the ‘Kyrie, ’ could not he described- in words. The "celebrations concluded with a procession in -which thousands took part. There were six thousand priests, two hundred bishops, and seven cardinals, while all religious associations were represented. For instance, the railway workers of France, a Catholic body numbering five hundred thousand, -were represented by twenty thousand delegates carrying . banners, and in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament they showed the faith that was in them. Over seven thousand Englishspeaking people were present, including a good number from the Antipodes. Bean Holley related an interesting incident where he and his party when making the Way of the Cross came upon another party of English-speaking people at the last station (where a magnificent Celtic Cross had been erected by Irish Pilgrims), and together sang English hymns and performed other devotions.

IN PARIS.

After visiting Lyons, where memorials to deceased priests were purchased, also a set of vestments for St. Mary’s clergy, the party proceeded leisurely to Paris, which

they found still gay, although not to the same extent as previously. The various places of interest were visited,

including the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the Cathedral at Montcmnrte. But the stay in Paris was rudely interrupted, because four days after their arrival the war-note was sounded and the order given for all foreigners to leave France if they did not wish to be detained at least three weeks. As the New Zealand party did not know what these three weeks might bring forth, they decided to leave that day (August 4). Dean Holley would never forget the scene at the station where it took an hour and a half to get tickets. Trains were packed to suffocation, and the scenes beggared description. Boulogne was safely reached and the Channel crossed, the steamer carrying four or five times her registered number of passengers. On arrival at London the Dean lost no time in making a hearty thanksgiving.

—Back to France.

Owing to the war in Belgium it was impossible for the Marist Congress to bo held there. The delegates were advised that the Congress would bo held in Lyons, and accordingly a week after landing in England they' found themselves again in France. They went through the same struggling and trouble, and after getting on board a train at Boulogne were 24 hours in getting to Paris, instead of four hours as ordinarily'. When in Boulogne they were surprised to find khaki uniformed soldiers. They learned from these soldiers that other British troops were already at the front and that those at Boulogne wore on their way'. This, said the Dean, showed how strict was-the censorship, as the public of England were unaware that any troops had crossed the Channel. Paris was in a terrible state owing to the thousands of refugees who were camped about the city. The refugees were mostly of the poorer classes who had gone to the North to take part in the harvesting. Owing to the trains being used for the transport of troops, the refugees could not get away, and the Gare du Nord was converted into a huge camp.

After describing the deferential treatment accorded to the English people now that they had become the allies of France, Dean Holley said that his party on arriving at Lyons made the Congress possible because they constituted the necessary quorum. The Congress lasted ten days and was very successful.

Dean Holley then touched briefly on his journeyings in

England, Ireland and America, and the voyage from Van couvcr to Auckland in the Niagara.