THE APOSTOLIC DELEGATE

New Zealand Tablet, 9 March 1916, Page 29

THE APOSTOLIC DELEGATE

VISITS TO VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS. (From our Christchurch correspondent.) The duration of his Excellency's stay-in this city was-crowded with appointments. On : last Monday morning the Apostolic Delegate .'accompanied by' his secretary, Rev. Dr. Ormond) celebrated Mass -in the chapel of the Marist Brothers' Monastery. During the morning his. Excellency, accompanied by Bishop Brodie and other prelates and priests, visited the convent of the Sisters of the Missions in Lower High street, . and the Sacred Heart College, where he was presented with an address, beautifully bound in suede, and a large floral joy bell, carried by two little girls dressed as angels, Afterwards the children gave a short musical programme, which greatly pleased his Excellency, who acknowledged his reception in a few kindly words, and praised the work of the school. Afterwards the visitors dined at the convent. On Tuesday morning his Excellency visited St. Mary's Convent and School of the Sisters of Mercy in Colombo street, where-a pretty entertainment Mas given, and a streamer over the Collegiate School building proclaimed a 'welcome to Maoriland.' Later his Excellency visited Mount Magdala, .accompanied, by. his Lordship Bishop Brodie and a large party of visiting priests.. On arrival the party was met by the children from all classes, who" lined the avenue ind gave/hearty cheers as the /visitors drove /The eh- : trance was beautifully decorated for the occasion. The party vwas- -received/ in the .main/ corridor bythe_ Sisters in charge, and proceeded: to the chapel, where Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given. Afterwards a number of children gave tableaux and musical items, and the party was entertained at luncheon. His Excellency in a speech of thanks for the welcome, expressed himself.as most impressed with the organisation at- Mount Magdala, " and paid .;;a| high tribute to the work being done by the Sisters. - ;:-"•:."/ On Wednesday morning a visit, was made to the Marist Brothers' School where the boys lustily cheered the distinguished visitors, and afterwards gave a bright : entertainment for which they were warmly : compli- / mented. ;- /"V*: : »:. ; //// > ; ; ■ '.:/ ■/•■■-•./'." r -/ '.' ■'' '■" ■'■ With a., thoughtfulness that was exceedingly sip-: :

/ predated; - his /Excellency * next paid : 3 visit £ to Mr W.-Hay ward; sen., on Cashmere 'Hills, who is very seriously ill. „ , , , " ■ -. _ ■ J ; ; r ; Nazareth House was next visited, where . his Excellency gave Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and was* entertained by the Sisters of Nazareth and children. -""-_' .. : . ; v He subsequently dined at " St. Mary's presbytery, Manchester- street, as the guest of the Very Rev Dean Hills, .S.M.,- and Marist Fathers, and left by the 5.20 p.m. train for Lyttelton, boarding the ferry steamer for Wellington. His Excellency was accompanied to the /port ' by his Lordship Bishop Brodie . and a number of prelates, the latter going on by the same steamer. * . " ;"• His Excellency expressed his delight at his visit to Christchurch, and amazement at the advance made by tho diocese/ / " ■ / /-' ■ . ; The many magnificent institutions greatly impressed him,. and he .takes away the pleasantest possible recollections of his tour in New Zealand. :A CATHOLIC WEEK. Just as Saturday, February 26, which will be «ver memorable -because of -the arrival in our city of his Excellency.the Apostolic Delegate on his first official visit,; was essentially a Catholic day, so the ensuing week may be justly regarded- a Catholic week. Catholic clergy in their numbers were to be seen viewing the sights of the city- and seemed almost as numerous as the khaki-clad fighting men with whose appearance we have become so familiar. -//' ; ; The daily; newspapers have well earned our most sincere . appreciation for the able and liberal manner in which they have kept the constantly succeeding events well in the forefront, devoting columns and columns of space to the chronicling of every detail Our many distinguished visitors have been most favorably impressed with the liberality displayed in this regard by the newspaper press, of this city/and are amazed beyond measure at-the generosity exhibited especially in these strenuous times with-the amount of matter to be dealt with in so many connections. The kindness extended by the citizens generally too, and the deep interest manifested in all our doings have all likewise tended to add great .pleasure to the -stay of so many visitors to our midst, and enabled them to carry away happy recollections of their all too brief sojourn in Christchurch.. On our own part, so much having to be recorded in a short space of time, and the most important features-having of necessity to receive first consideration many minor details were excluded from our last week's report. • , ' - To -enumerate a few of these it may be stated that the reception to his Excellency was most cordial and enthusiastic, vociferous cheers greeting him on stepping from'the/ train, on his appearance in front of the station, and along the entire route. At nights the grounds of the Cathedral and episcopal residence were electrically- illuminated, many pretty designs being effectively worked out with white and gold- bulbs. (the Papal colors),, this phase of the decorations being carried out by Mr. A. Wedderspoon. /. The decorated archways were supervised in their erection and adorn- - ment by Messrs. T.Cahill and P. A. O'Connell, under the direction of the Very Rev. Father Price,- Adm. A fine Papal ensign was hung near the entrance to . the episcopal residence, whilst on the day of arrival the Irish national flag was flown from the Hibernian Hall, and the New Zealand: ensign from the Marist Brothers' School. The Papal colors were everywhere in evidence, and at every function attended by his Excellency, probably the most prominent display being, that at: the Theatre Royal. V ■ ;J ; For : the consecration- ceremony on Sunday large - numbers of chairs were obtained and placed in the / galleries, aisles, and, indeed, in every .vacant, space in : the Cathedral, - and all werer; soon occupied, so /dense /

were the. crowds attending. .Outside, the whole path- • way from/ the episcopal residence to the Cathedral was carpeted. A , word of commendation is due to the Marist Brothers' School Junior Cadets and their officers for; the strenuous duties so capably performed. Out at a very early hour in full strength, the Cadets -'performed their allotted functions of the morning. They- were called upon to parade again in the ■ afternoon, and made a long march to St. Alban's Park to attend a patriotic demonstration, and here compensations feir their way, as they were singled out for complimentary references on their appearance and performance by both his Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Minister for. Defence. Next day (Sunday) and on the following day they again paraded to form guards of. honor. " - The addresses to the Apostolic Delegate. and to his Lordship Bishop Brodie from the clergy and laity were; in book form, tastefully embossed, illuminated, and bound that from the Hibernians of the diocese to the Bishop- was artistically inscribed, illuminated, and framed, whilst that from the Catholic Federation

was in the form of a scroll. Several were the work of the Sisters of the Missions, and were - produced in a style worthy of the reputation they have gained on many previous occasions. No report of all the important proceedings we have seen transacted during the past few days would be complete were mention not made of the episcopal domestic household, who, under their able directress (Miss Brophy), performed duties of outstanding merit, earning the . gratitude of all for their tireless energy during a strenuous period, and especially at the luncheon, which was beautifully prepared and served. Among the clergy present on the occasion whose names were not included in previous lists were the Very Rev. Dr.. Kennedy, S.M. (Rector of St. Patrick's College), Rev; Fathers O'Sullivan, S.M. (Napier), McDonnell, S.M. , (Hastings), Delach, S.M. (Otaki), Aubry, -S.M. (Waimate), Murphy, S.M. (Timaru), Ainsworth,, S.M. (Temuka), MacCarthy, S.M t (Marist Missioner), Bowden, S.M. (Leeston), Hoare, S.M. (St. Mary's, Christchurch), Quinn, S.M. (St. Bede's), Bonnetto (Akaroa), Cronin (Darfield), O'Connor (Hawarden), O'Boyle (Rangiora), Very Rev. J. O'Neill (late of Western Australia), Liston (Holy Cross College), and O'Hare.