Blessed Teresa

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 27, 12 July 1923, Page 17

Blessed Teresa

The Ceremony of Beatification DESCRIPTION BY ONE WHO WAS PRESENT. A French visitor to Rome for the recent ceremony of Beatification of Blessed Teresa of Lisieux, writing in La Croix, says: - ; Pilgrims came to Rome on organised pilgrimages from all'parts of France, whilst several persons travelled privately. I think there must have been about 4000 from ranee in the huge assembly. In St, Peter’s there were also many Italians, as the Beatification of Blessed Teresa was interesting not only to the French, but to Catholics throughout the world. This fact was proved by the representatives of so many nations one met with in Rome during the recent ceremonial. The Thoughts of Those Present. "Whilst waiting for the ceremonial to begin, our thoughts turned to the little girl of 15 who came to Rome in 1888, and who, just like us, assisted at the beatification of a servant of God. Thirty-five years later, and just fifty after her birth, it is the same little maiden we have to honor and petition for prayer. We remembered the audience during which Teresa asked Pope Leo XIII. to allow her enter Carmel, although she was so young, and the Popes reply,, “Yes; it'is God’s Will that you should enter Carmel.” ■ , ft Relatives of Blessed Teresa were present in St. Peter’s, as well as the priest who was the subject •of one of her miracles. Other priests who knew her and gave her spiritual direction were likewise there, and many lay friends. The Great Procession. 1 he procession was composed of some Cardinals, several trench bishops, and Mgr. Lemonnier, Bishop of Lisieux, who was to celebrate Mass. The Secretary of the Congregation of Rites read the Brief of Beatification, which was a resume of the life story and a tribute to the virtues of Blessed Teresa. The entire world will soon hear the echo of these words, because they are the voice of the Church; they come from tile Chair of Peter, and are addressed to all the nations of the world. When the reading of the Brief was concluded the immense apse was suddenly flooded with light, revealing the picture of Blessed Teresa, which represents her kneeling, clad in a brown habit, her arms extended towards heaven, the expression of her countenance • denoting the ecstasy of contemplation with God. At her feet are the angels bearing flowers. Then the “Te Deum” was chanted and Mass followed. In the Afternoon. In the afternoon an enormous congregation assembled again in St. Peter’s. Thousands of voices united in the chanting of the “Credo,” which was followed by the “Magnificat.” At the conclusion the sounding of. the silver trumpets announced the arrival of the Holy Father, who was enthusiastically greeted with the cry “Long live the Pope!” “Long live Pius XI.!” The choir of the Sistine Chapel sang the “0 Salutaris” and “0 Jesu Corona Virginian” during Benediction. As the Pope left St. Peter’s many wept with deep emotion, so beautiful, so magnificent, so deeply impressive had been the ceremony just over. May it bo pleasing to God that Blessed Teresa may soon obtain the two new miracles necessary for canonisation, so that in a few years the voice of the Sovereign Pontiff from the height of the Chair of St. Peter and by his infallible authority may write in the catalogue of the Saints the Blessed' Teresa of Lisieux. , , ■ - - /S . '