QUARANT' ORE AT ST. JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL, DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, 11 October 1917, Page 22

QUARANT' ORE AT ST. JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL, DUNEDIN

The dpvotion of the Forty Hours’ Adoration was commenced in St. Joseph’s Cathedral with Solemn High Maes on last Friday morning, and concluded after Compline on Sunday evening. His Lordship the Bishop presided at the inauguration of the solemnity. The Rev. Father Kaveney was celebrant, Rev. Father Ardagh deacon. Rev. Dr. Kelly subdeacon, and Very Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., master of ceremonies. The Rev. Father Mangan, C.SS.R., gave an impressive discourse on Thursday evening preparatory to the devotion, and again on Friday evening. The First Friday being coincident with the inaugural ceremonies of the Quarant’ Ore, great numbers approached the Holy Table at the early Masses that morning, and again on the following morning. Throughout the period of exposition adoration by the faithful was well maintained. The scene at. all the early Masses on Sunday, commencing at 6.30, was impressive in the extreme. The congregations, very numerous on each occasion, practically in their entirety approached the Holy Table. On this wonderful manifestation of faith they were sincerely complimented by both the Very Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., and Rev. Father Mangan, C.SS.R. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday no less than, six priests were engaged in the confessionals until a late hour. On Sunday morning at the 9 o’clock Mass the members of the H.A.C.B. Society (in regalia) approached the . Holy Table in very large numbers.

There was Solemn High Mass in St. Joseph’s Cathedral commencing at 11 o’clock on Sunday last in compliance with the intentions of our Holy Father the Pope that the blessings of • peace may be restored to the nations, and the present devastating war ended. His Lordship the Bishop presided in the sanctuary. The Rev. Father Kaveney was celebrant, Rev. Father Mangan, C.SS.R., deacon, the Rev. W. Monaghan subdeacon, and Very Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., master of ceremonies. An impressive discourse appropriate of the occasion was preached by the Very Rev. Father Coffey to a crowded congregation. lie pointed out the significance of the date chosen, and feelingly urged the congregation to pray to the God of Victories and to the Queen of Peace to bless the allied arms and bring the frightful struggle to speedy termination. Commenting on the remarkable and most edifying scene witnessed at the early Masses, the Very Rev. preacher said that not since he came to St. Joseph’s Cathedral had he seen so many approach the Holy Table on any one occasion as on that morning at the 7.30 Mass. The music, Gounod’s Third Mass, was splendidly rendered by the choir, with Mr. A. Vallis at the organ and Signor Squarise conducting. The high altar was magnificently adorned and illuminated during the period of the Forty Hours’ Adoration, the devoted work and effective results reflecting great credit on the ladies responsible. On Sunday evening the Cathedral was thronged to its utmost seating capacity, some even being accommodated in the choir gallery. His Lordship officiated at Compline, bore the Sacred Host in the subsequent procession with the Rev. Father Kaveney, and Rev. W. Monaghan as deacon and subdeacon respectively, the Very Rev. Father Coffey being master of ceremoniesgave Pontifical Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, prior to which the Litany of the Saints was sung. The pulpit was occupied by the Rev. Father Mangan, C.SS.R,, who gave a fine discourse on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and incidentally referred to what he termed the glorious and thrice blessed day just experienced. At the conclusion of the ceremonies the hymn ‘‘Faith of Our Fathers” was sung by the choir and spiritedly joined in by the congregation.