DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 8 April 1920, Page 28

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) April 5. The ceremonies of Holy Week were observed in their entirety at St. Mary’s Church, Manchester Street. The Solemn Office of Tenebrae was chanted on Wednesday, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday evenings, the Lamentations being sung by Fathers Seymour, S.M., Moloney, S.M., Dowling, S.M., and Stewart, S.M. There was Solemn High Mass on Holy Thursday, Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., being celebrant, Father Seymour deacon, and Father Roche subdeacon. The Altar of Repose was prepared and tastefully decorated by Mrs. Walter Clifford and Miss Holley. The deacons of the Passion on Good Friday morning were Fathers Dowling, Stewart, and Seymour, Veneration of the Cross was followed by Mass of the Pre-sanctified, Very Rev. Doan Regnault being celebrant. There was a crowded congregation. An impressive sermon on the Passion was preached in the evening by Father Stewart. A watch before the Altar of Repose was kept up on Thursday night and Good Friday morning by men of the congregation. Four Masses were celebrated on Easter Sunday morning, all of which were numerously attended, the greater portion approaching the Holy Table at the early Masses. There was Solemn High Mass at 11 o’clock, the Very Rev. Dean Regnault being celebrant, and Fathers Stewart and Roche deacon and subdeacon, respectively; The music of the Mass was Loesh’s Mass of St. Elizabeth, capably rendered by the choir, conducted by Mr. W. T. Ward. At Vespers Father Dowling preached a fine discourse on the lesson conveyed in the Resurrection. The sanctuary and high altar were effectively decorated by the members of the Altar Society and Children of Mary.

Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., on Sunday, iu wishing the blessings of Easter, on behalf of himself and fellowpriests, to the congregation, expressed his appreciation of the work done during Holy Week by the choir, sodalities and societies of the parish.

His Lordship the Bishop entertained the Cathedral Choir on Sunday evening at the episcopal residence. He thanked the members for their attention to practice and for the pains taken to make the ceremonies of Holy Week devotional. Bishop Brodie made special reference to Mr. Bunz, the conductor, and congratulated him on the success attending his efforts. Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy supplemented the Bishop's remarks, and Mr. Bunz replied on behalf of the choir.

Holy Week commenced in the Cathedral, Barbadoes Street, on Palm Sunday, with the blessing and distribution of palms. The ceremonies were continued on Wednesday night by the singing of the Office of Tenebrae. On Holy Thursday there was a Solemn Pontifical High Mass and Consecration of the Holy Oils by his Lordship the Bishop. At the conclusion of the Mass the Blessed Sacrament was carried in procession to the Altar of Repose, where Adoration was continued during the remainder of the day rand during the night. In the evening Tenebrae was again

sung, and was followed by a; sermon on the Holy Eucharist preached by the Rev. Father Andersen, who emphasised the great dignity | conferred Son the faithful by " the gift of the Real Presence. On Good Friday his Lordship the Bishop celebrated the Mass of the Pre-sanctified, during which the Veneration of the Cross took place. A most impressive feature of the morning service was the singing of the Passion by the Rev. Fathers Cooney, Long, and Andersen. At 3 p.m. the Stations of the Cross were made. In the evening the Office of Tenebrae was sung for the last time and was followed by a sermon on the Passion preached by the Rev. Father Long. During the week all services were attended by large congregations. On Saturday morning the Blessing of the Paschal Candle the Fire, and the Baptismal Font took place, after which the Solemn Mass of-Easter Eve was celebrated. lather Murphy was celebrant, Father Long deacon, Father Andersen subdeacon, and Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy Adm master of ceremonies. On Easter Sunday Masses were celebrated at 7.30, 9.30, and 11. There was Solemn Pontifical Mass at 11 o'clock, his Lordship Bishop Brodie being celebrant, Father Farthing deacon, and Father Collins subdeacon. Father Bonetto was assistant priest. The music of the Mass was Gounod's "Messe Solennelle," capably rendered by the choir under Mr. Bunz. At the conclusion of the Mass, his Lordship imparted the Papal Blessing, and m expressing to the congregation his best wishes tor the Easter Festival, thanked the choir the sacristan, the Marist Brothers and Sisters, and others for the- splendid assistance rendered during the services of Holy Week. The congregations throughout were very large, and large numbers approached the Holy Table In the evening at 7 o'clock Pontifical Vespers' were sung. The Rev x Father Collins was assisted by Fathers Long and Bonetto, his Lordship the Bishop occupying the throne The sermon by Dr. Brodie was an eloquent discourse on the text If Christ be not risen from the dead then is our preaching in vain."