The New Zealand Tablet WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1925. A MEMORABLE JUBILEE

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 16, 6 May 1925, Page 33

The New Zealand Tablet WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1925. A MEMORABLE JUBILEE

THE third of May, 1900, is a memorable date in the history of the Church in ' : New Zealand. It was on that day that the doors of Holy Cross College .wore thrown open 'for the first time in order to admit aspirants to the priesthood; it was on that day that the New Zealand Church commenced the vital task of training a native clergy. Thus, the opening ceremony was j'livfged with significance for the future of these islands, for it meant that the Church, which up to this time had been sustained for tho most part by zealous missionaries, was now about to embed its roots firmly in the soil by drawing its priests from native Catholic homes. New Zealand people generally are under a heavy debt of gratitude to our Bishops for having, in accordance with the wishes of the Sovereign Pontiff, decided to establish an ecclesiastical seminary in this Dominion. Many may not be aware of its existence, but nevertheless they cannot escape the influence, direct or indirect, which emanates from the bravo array of splendid young priests who, strong in faith and glowing with charity, pass out through the College gates to minister to the spiritual needs of their countrymen. In Catholics this seminary creates a feeling of security against the many evils, the offspring of unbelief, which rise lip black and menacing on every hand ; • for ! well they know that Satan can meet no more redoubtable antagonist than the institution 'that sends forth an army of priests to offer sacrifice, to administer sacramerits, to forgive sin, to preach the Gospel, to strengthen the waverer, to encourage the ¥"»nch, to do battle with opponents, to bpread the faith. J 1 The wise leaders of the Church throughout Christendom have always recognised the vital importance of native clergy to the strength of the Church. Therefore, when his Holiness the Pope expressed the wish that New Zealand should establish an . ecclesiastical

seminary, the Hierarchy gladly bent their energies to the task. In this they received the generous support of the devoted missionary priests who, filled with apostolic zeal, had left their homes and friends to establish and perpetuate the faith in this land. Dr. Verdon, the late Bishop of Dunedin, undertook the control and financial responsibility of the College; and parent never bestowed so much unselfish devotion upon his child as this saintly prelate lavished upon his charge. Lovingly, yet firmly, did he guide the uncertain feet of the infant seminary, and when he passed to his reward he left behind him a robust centre of Catholic training of which every Catholic in the Dominion may well feel proud. But although the care and responsibility of the College rested upon the shoulders of Dr. Verdon, hi s brother. Bishops assisted him generously to bear his load. From its inception Holy Cross College has had a firm friend and generous supporter in the person of our beloved Metropolitan, Archbishop Redwood. Like all true friends Dr. Redwood showed his friendship most when it was needed most. In the days of its early struggles, when the College was fighting for life—it was then that the Archbishop showed what true friendship meant. If Holy Cross College lost a loving father and wise director when death claimed Bishop Verdon for its own, it gained another in his successor, the Right Rev. Dr. Wliyte. Although our Bishop was denied the privilege of .founding the College, he lias shown since he has been amongst us that nothing that can be done to increase its influence in this country is to be left undone. Like his great predecessor, he brings wide knowledge and ripe experience coupled with tact, prudence, and sound judgment to bear in his directorship; and these rare attributes have enabled him to choose capable and devoted professors to train the students. The present excellence of the College testifies to the efficiency of the Rector, Rev. Father Morkane, and his assistants; and the fact that Dr. Liston, the previous Rector, was chosen to be CoadjutorBishop of Auckland, shows forth the calibre of the men whom it is customary to place over the house. This silver jubilee, while it serves to commemorate a great achievement, will no doubt also serve to remind Catholic parents and Catholic youths that the Church is calling still for recruits to fight under the banner of Christ in the priesthood. It will he an inspiration to our Catholic lads to strive to become dispensers of the mysteries of God. There can be no higher ambition than that. It is not everyone who is blessed with a vocation, but in the work of supplying priests everyone can, to some extent at least, participate. In the words of Father Cearon: "Since it is the duty of the priest to proclaim to all nations the message of salvation delivered by the angels to the shepherds on the first Christmas morning, how important, how necessary the work of. providing men sufficient and suitable for that sublime office! Such is the work of the seminary, the mould of the future apostle. . From it goes forth the young man trained for the ; work to which he has dedicated his life—the

salvation of souls. What a privilege, then, is yours— opportunity of rearing up levites for the sanctuary, of giving priests to the flocks, Holy Mass and the life-saving sacraments to the multitudes! Utilise the opportunity, and you will not have lived in vain,” Many good works in the interests o.f Catholicity are appealing to Catholics, but there is one which towers above all the rest in importance—the noble work of helping to educate young priests for the mission. That is the message which the jubilee brings to Catholics; and while the echoes of the jubilee bells still linger in the air, let us make up our minds to do all in our power to assist in the grand work of training students for the priesthood.