FIFTY GOLDEN YEARS

New Zealand Tablet, 23 October 1919, Page 18

FIFTY GOLDEN YEARS

JUBILEE OF MOTHER MARY BERTRAND. St. Dominic's Priory, Dunedin, was en fete on Wednesday, October 15, the joyous occasion being the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Mother Mary Bertrand's profession as a religious in the Order of St. Dominic, or Dominican Nuns, as they are affectionately and familiarly known. The much-beloved jubilarian is the only surviving link with the pioneer nuns who arrived in 1871, accompanied by tho late Bishop Moran and Father (afterwards Right Rev. Monsignor) Coleman, and for this reason Special interest, was attached to the celebrations. During the lengthy period of years since Mother Bertrand's arrival in New Zealand, she lias fulfilled the duties of her sacred calling in various parts of Otago and Southland, notably at Dunedin, Invercargill, Queenstown, and Oamaru. It may well be understood, therefore, that towards one who is so well known and revered, ex-pupils of the nuns and their friends generally, gathered in large numbers from all parts to felicitate her on such an auspicious event. The religious ceremonial began at 10.30 a.m., when Solemn High Mass of Thanksgiving was offered in the Convent Chapel. Father Kaveney was celebrant, Father Woods deacon, Father Spillane subdeacon, and Very Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., master of ceremonies. The music of the Mass was rendered by the Dominican Nuns' Choir in the exceedingly beautiful and devotional manner so characteristic of them. Prior to the commencement of the Mass, Father Coffey, in accordance with the time-honored custom, crowned the jubilarian. At tho conclusion of Mass the Very Rev. P. M. Lynch, C.SS.R., as one who had much to do in connection with the earlier days of the Dominican Nuns' experiences in this city, gave a most impressive and appropriate discourse, winch was listened to with the deepest interest by the large congregation. Others of the clergy present were Rev. J. Delany (South Dunedin), Rev. D. O'Neill (Roxburgh), Rev. T. S. Kavanagh (Palmcrston), Revs. R. Graham and E. Rooney. The clergy, including those above mentioned, also Very Rev. J. O'Neill (Waikiwi), Fathers Liston, Morkane, Collins, Lynch, and Silk (Holy Cross College, Mosgiel), and C. Ardagli, and visitors, were subsequently the guests of the nuns to luncheon. In the afternoon a reception was held in the social hall of the priory, which was beautifully decorated and appointed. There was an exceedingly large gathering of expupils, and on their behalf the following address was read by Mrs. Wise, of Oamaru, the first pupil to attend the nuns' school when they arrived in the Dominion, and, together with a substantial golden tribute, presented to the jubilarian : "Dear Mother Bertrand, — the ex-pupils of St. Dominic's College, are delighted at the opportunity afforded us of congratulating you on this fiftieth anniversary of your religions profession. We congratulate you on the sublime dignity which has been conferred on you by Almighty God, in calling you to serve Him as a nun in the grand old Dominican Order. Our ardent desire, dear Mother, is that j-ou may be given many more years to carry on the good work of your Order. We hope that your path from now to the grave may be strewn with roses of joy and happiness, arid that we shall have the untold pleasure of assisting at your Diamond Jubilee. —Signed on behalf of the ex-pupils: Eleanor Knott, Margaret Jackson, Margaret Shiel, Tassie Meenan."

~ The address was artistically printed in green on whites satin, in the form of a; scroll, by the N.Z. Tablet Printing Company. - ' '-_ ~ "*;'■';■' ;:.-r'^ L/i ■'• - , Father Coffey made suitable acknowledgment on behalf of Mother Bertrand. , .» During the day cable messages"from abroad and congratulatory greetings by telegraph and letter 'poured ini from all parts of the Dominion, also many souvenirs of : the memorable celebration, for which Mother Bertrand expressed her deep gratitude. The proceedings of the afternoon were concluded by Solemn Benediction of the Blessed' Sacrament. . .- '"'•■- it-n \; -\- ,f< jln the even "S a complimentary concert was held,, and so numerously attended that many-were < compelled to enjoy the treat through the open windows.. The following was the programme:Chorus of, -welcome ft piano duet, "Valse Caprice" (Rubenstein), Misses L. Harris and T. Hutton; song, "O Giver of Mercies" (Moulton), Miss Honeyman ; scene Francaise, ''Dans un Ascenseur," Misses Gonza Shiel, J. O'Neill, M. Taylor; song, "Mich"acla's Song" (Bizet), Miss K. Graves; selection, "Serenade" (Drigo), Misses W. and P. Hawcridgo and E. Mil low; piano solo, "Liebestraum" (Franz Liszt), Miss R. Simpson; song, "Gypsy Songs" (Dvorak), Miss D. Hudson; Greeting of The Jewels, intermediate grade pupils; t'rio, "Serenade" (Minkowski), Misses W. and P. Hawcridgo and E. Mil low ; song, "Harbor Night Song" (Sanderson), Miss Carter; piano solo, "Impromptu" (Lack), Miss L. Harris; madrigal, "Blow, Blow, Thou Wintry Wind" (Stokes) and "Hark, the Lark" (Stokes), senior pupils; comedietta, "Amelia and the Dwarfs," junior grade pupils; jubilee ode, Miss M. Cullen; presentation, Misses M. Cullen, U. McKendry, and Mary Hussey; final chorus, College pupils.

JUBILEE ODE.

(Composed by Rev. J. Kelly, Ph.D.) In that far land where Patrick toiled And Royal Brigid prayed, Von walked where saints had walked with God And played where angels played. And fifty years ago there came. To your young heart tho call To follow Him whose chosen bride Must for His -sake leave all. - The home yon loved, the friends of old, The joys your childhood knew — for Him you left them all behind And said, "None, Lord, but You!" Over the rim 'twixt sky and sea The call you followed far, By prayer and precept hearts to win Beneath the Southern Star. Yours were the virtues of the Gael, In the new world and the old, Patrick and Brigid taught you how Young hearts for Heaven to mould. For fitly years your days have sped In alien sun and rain : Years of labor and years of praise Thai have not been in vain. You love the dear land of your birth, Its woods, its verdant sod, And yet a greater love made sweet Exile endured for God. Full fifty years of prayer and praise At God's feet now you lay: Sweeter than incense in- His sight, Your gift to Him to-day. Princes may fail and thrones. may fall, But never fails the breed Of saints, that lonely Erin sends To sow the saving seed. From the far West where Patrick prayed Like you they cross the sea: i" -. * We honor them while here we keep To-day your Jubilee. .'■■."" ■■■.:.-. ... For you wo would a garland weave, W" And shamrock and fern unite, ~'/,< " And with it at your feet would lay ■ ~ r A red rose and a white, .- ■■■••>.; ■■;,■;« ~s<vriui '■>*.?* -• ■ - • -- «a^

: " Binding the land .from {which you came " And that dear land of old, With love for God and all mankind , In one great chain of gold. r At the conclusion of the concert a presentation was made by the present pupils of the nuns for the erection of a grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes in the grounds, and also, by past and present pupils, of a handsomely bound ■and beautifully illustrated jubilee volume of the Dominican Star. Father O'Neill (Waikiwi) thanked the children, on behalf of Mother Bertrand, for their presentation, and for the excellent, high-class entertainment they had given, which showed the diligence of the pupils and the care of their teachers. He wished the good mother many years of happiness and usefulness in her-noble career. Motheu Mary Bertrand had previously been entertained by the pupils of St. Joseph's . School, and by those of the Sacred Heart School, North-East "Valley, and of the School of the Immaculate Conception, Kaikorai, and warmly congratulated on the attainment of her Golden Jubilee/