The Australasian National Pilgrimage

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 16, 6 May 1925, Page 57

The Australasian National Pilgrimage

pilgrims would -*p ray- to the Mother of God to /ask/for favors for (Australia: from her Divine Son. v They .would visit Ireland in a spirit of veneration and loyalty to the grand old pioneers who sowed the seed ;of the faith in Australia. 'The pilgrims represented the ardent, living faith borrowed from Ireland, and the faith was -flourishings in Australia; as it was flourishing in'- Ireland. He was leaving Australia for a time, J but he would count the' days till he returned. He was satisfied that during his absence. the clergy and people would see that the progress of the Church was not retarded in/any way. \

DEPARTURE FROM MELBOURNE.

NThe Mongolia left Melbourne on Easter Tuesday, conveying nearly ■, 200 Australians for the Holy Year"-Pilgrimage to Rome and Lourdes ; (says the ) Catholic Press). As the .leader of the pilgrimage boarded the steamer ' at Melbourne it was decided to make that - city the official starting place. His Excellency, the Apostolic Delegate took part in the valedictory gatherings, • and Archbishop Sheehan represented the Archbishop of Sydney. ..;'- . ;,;/' : ..J-, ; -/ : ,'.'>.-■. .;. _ ' ; As the official leader of the Pilgrimage, - the Archbishop of Melbourne received the pilgrims at "Raheen," Studley Park Road, , Kew, on Easter Monday afternoon, at 3 o'clock. The reception was only for those taking part in the Pilgrimage and the clergy -.-';.; of the archdiocese./There was a large gathering, and the reception brought together the different sections of the first Australasian Pilgrimage to Rome. » - Solemn Benediction of the Most Holy Sac- : rament was given in St. Patrick's CaHhedral . at 8 o'clock on. Easter Monday evening. The ' ; Apostolic Delegate' officiated, and was assisted by the Very Rev. Father J. Lonergan, Adm., Rev. Father F. Moynihan, and Rev. Dr.. F. Greenan. Others in the sanctuary included * Archbishop Mannix, Archbishop * .'Sheehan, Bishop McCarthy (Sandhurst), Bishop Dwyer (Wagga), and Bishop Coppo. ' A large-body of the clergy and Christian Brothers and. members of the' Pilgrimage sat in reserved seats in the nave. i; - ,An address of welcome from the clergy and laity of the archdiocese was presented to ' Archbishop Mannix by the Rev. , Father R. ; Collins, of South Melbourne. In the address ..- reference was made to Dr. Mannix's various "' activities,,; and the part_that he took in .establishing Newman College and the Corpus Christi College. Valedictory speeches were delivered' by his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate, by Arch-. bishop Sheehan, and by Bishops McCarthy, '" Dwyer, and Coppo, all ; of whom extended good wishes to Archbishop Man&ix, in his leadership of the Pilgrimage. Archbishop - Cattaneo and Bishop Coppo said they knew that the -pilgrims would receive a warm reception in -Italy. Dr. Sheehan said that if , '.■ an announcement had been made earlier that -.'.- Archbishop Mannix was to lead the Pilgrimage it would have been necessary to charter a special steamer to accommodate all the .-pilgrims. :,•■ As it was, - however, the Australian party consisted of nearly 300 persons, who would appear before the Pope like har.r. Testers returning from the field. Archbishop Mannix said that he hoped that the immense gathering that night was / a happy omen for what he believed would be I: jhe triumphal progress of the. first Pilgrimage from Australia and New Zealand to ; I* I©' 1 ©' feet of the Sovereign Pontiff. -i There * r %was no Bishop in the whole of Christendom who had a more faithful and loyal priesthood, and a more devoted" and affectionate people: than he had. He desired to acknowledge his deep and heartfelt gratitude to the clergy and people. .'With the Apostolic

Delegate the idea of '.: the pilgrimage from Australia to Rome originated. It would be his privilege to assure the Pope that throughout his vast Dominions he had no more faithful subjects than in Australia. The pilgrims who were going to Rome were good specimens of the loyal Catholics in Australia. A million Catholic hearts in Australia beat in sympathy and unison, with the pilgrims who would kneel reverently at the feet of the Pope. ■;-■ At the ghrine of Lourdes the