THE CATHOLIC WORLD

New Zealand Tablet, 9 August 1917, Page 31

THE CATHOLIC WORLD

GENERAL. At a meeting of trie Cardinals and Consultors of the Sacred Congregation of Rites held in the Vatican Palace on May 22, two miracles attributed to the intercession of Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque, professed nun of the Order of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin, were adduced in favor of her canonisation and considered.

Very notable progress has been made by the Marist Brothers in . Japan. Their primary school and lyceum at Tokio count 850 pupils; Osaka has 760 pupils, of whom 625 are following the catechetical instructions. There are seven Japanese lay teachers engaged at this institution, all of them converts and deeply interested in the work for souls. Native Catholic teachers, graduated by the Japanese Government, have the confidence of the pupils and enjoy greater influence among them, it is said, than Europeans. At the Nagasaki School the number of boys has increased from 100 to 280 since its transformation from a commercial school into a lyceum. Urakania has some 60 boys destined for the Church ; St. Joseph’s College at Yokahama has likewise begun the new school year with satisfactory prospects.

The Daily Fast of Hobart in its issue of July 12 devotes very considerable space to a report of the Solemn Requiem Mass celebrated in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Hobart, for the repose of the soul of the late Major William Redmond, M.P. The celebrant of the Mass was Rev. Father J. H. Cullen, a personal friend of Major Redmond. A feature of the solemnity was the presence thereat of his Excellency the Governor, Sir Francis Newdigate-Newdigate, who was on intimate terms with the late Major in the House of Commons for many years, attended by his private secretaries, Captains J. C. Glanville and P. R. Fitz Gerald. This was his Excellency’s first vice-regal function since his recent arrival, and this act of honor to a political comrade whom he greatly esteemed in the Mother of Parliaments for many years, is very highly appreciated. They were met at the entrance by Monsignor Gilleran and a guard of honor of nearly forty members of the United Irish League and Hibernian Society, and the Catholic Federation.

The separation of the Beda from the English College has been recently accomplished. Both colleges ai - e under the same roof. They are ruled by one rector, the Right Rev. John Mclntyre, Titular Bishop of Lamas—an Irishman, by the way, as is his second in command in the Beda, the Right Rev. Mgr. George, X).D. As the Beda College was founded for English converts of a more advanced age who aspired to the priesthood, their course of studies and their mode of discipline differ from those of the English College. However, both bodies dined together. " The college for converts was founded by Pius IX. in the old Palazzo de Convertendi, near St. Peter's (the very house in which Raphael died in 1520), and it was known by the name of the "Collegio Pio." But Leo XIII. transferred it to its present site, putting the students under the jurisdiction of the rector of the English College. Though Leo XIII. opened it for convert clergymen, convert laymen and some who were Catholics born are on its roll of students. JOHN McCORMACK AND HIS CHILDREN. The artistic little Catholic church in the village of Noroton, Conn., was the scene of a very interesting ceremony on Thursday, May 24, when the children of the world-famed Irish tenor, John McCormack, were

confirmed by the Right,, Rev. Bishop Curley, of St. Augustine, Fla. Three decades ago the Bishop and. the great singer were children together in the town of Athlone, Ireland, After years spent in the schools of the Marist Brothers in their native town the two boys parted ways. Michael Curley became a student in the Jesuit University College of Mungret, John McCormack, at the early age of twelve, distinguished himself in Summerhill College, Sligo, as a prize winner and exhibitioner in the intermediate examinations. After some time both found their way to sunny Italy. John McCormack went to Milan to study vocal music under a maestro of international fame, and the future Bishop of Florida became a student of theology in the University of the Propaganda, Rome. In the front pew knelt Cyril McCormack, aged ten, and his little sister, aged eight years. With them were their mother, aunt, and governess. Never before did the congregation hear rendered as on that occasion the simple yet beautiful Catholic hymns/‘‘Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All ” and “Lord, I Am Not Worthy.” The children’s father, who a few days before had thrilled 8000 people in the Hippodrome, sang the hymns which he and the Bishop had learned as boys in Athlone, with an intensity of faith, feeling, and devotion that brought tears from many worshippers, and the writer believes that the eyes of the great tenor were not dry as in soulful song he prayed for his darling children. Within the sanctuary knelt Cyril and his sister, to receive our Blessed Lord, she for the first time. At the altar railing the children’s father and mother received Holy Communion. Immediately after Mass Bishop Curley, acting with the permission of the Rioht Rev. Bishop Nilan, of Hartford, confirmed both Cyril and Gwendolyn. The boy took the name of Francis, whilst his sister chose that of Cecilia. Poetry and song filled the great soul of the saint of Umbria, and St. Cecilia is the heavenly patroness of music. The “Veni Sancte ■sSpiritus” was rendered as only John McCormack could render it. The young McCormacks were happy children that day, but were not happier than their Catholic parents. The writer has it on the authority of Bishop Curley, who examined them in the catechism, that no children were ever better prepared for the reception of the Sacraments than were Cyril Francis and Gwendolyn Cecilia McCormack. Their home is ideally Catholic. They are both pupils of the Dominican Sisters in New York City, and are in constant charge of a governesss who is a brilliantly educated and devout Catholic young lady. The greatest interest in life of John McCormack and his charmingly accomplished wife is the Catholic training of their talented and promising children.

DEATH OF A HEROINE. There died recently at St. Clara's Convent, Hartwell, Ohio, a member of the Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis (states the Sacred Heart Review). Sister Alcantara (known in the world as Miss Catherine Hooley) was seventy-five years old, and for fifty-three of those years she had labored for the poor, chiefly by soliciting alms. This hardest of all work she did bravely, lovingly even, setting aside all thought of self. It is related that in the beginning of her career, Sister Alcantara and her companion were suspected of being impostors, and were taken to the Police Station. The captain saw that a mistake had been made, and the patrolman offered a humble apology. In her sweet, mild way, the Sister waved aside all reference to herself, and said: "I am sure these kind gentlemen here will give me something for my lost time. Every man present honored the invitation to contribute. Furthermore, the captain invited the Sisters to come every month, and Sister Alcantara went away happy at having been arrested with such profitable outcome for her poor. Needless to say she returned, and to the present day a monthly collection is taken at the police station. ■