WELCOMED HOME.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 978, 19 November 1910, Page 6

WELCOMED HOME.

TO ARCHBISHOP REDWOOD, 'AN HISTORIC CONGRESS. Every seat at tho Town Hall was filled last evening when members of tho Catholic community of his archdiocese assembled to welcome Archbishop Redwood on his return from tho great Eucharistic Congress at Montreal. Among those present were Lady Ward and Miss Ward. Apologies for absence were received from the Prime Minister, the Mayor, ' the Hon. Thos. Mackenzie, Messrs. W. C. Kensington, P. B. Waters, and tho Rev. T. H. Sprott. Before tho principal business of the evening commenced a fine series _ of animated pictures portraying various scenes at the Montreal Congress was thrown upon a screen erqeted for the occasion. Following on this was shown a beautifully-pictured drama entitled "In the Times of -the Early Christians." Archbishop Redwood, when he-mount-ed the platform, accompanied by- the Rev. Father O'Shea and_ Mr. Martin Kennedy, was received with enthusiastic applause. Welcome by tho Clergy. Father O'Shea, to whom was deputed tho task of welcoming the_ Archbishop on behalf of his clergy, said: _ ' "My. Lord Archbishop,—l feel it both a pleasure and a privilege, on behalf of tho clergy of the archdiocese, to welcome you homo on your return from ■Canada, where you have been attending the great. Eucharistic Congress in Montreal. We are' pleased to know that you thoroughly enjoyed your trip, that you are delighted with everything you . saw in the older Dominion, and that you have returned to us in splendid health. (Loud applause.) litis is a source of the greatest gratification to your clergy and peoplo. ,1 believe I am correct in saying that, the recent. Congress was the next liotable function at which you have assisted during your . long episcopate, and that you were a representative _of Now Zealand on that historic occasion goes without saying. (Applause.) . For that reason your home coming has been looked forward to with mote than ordinary interest. This large gathering is evidence not only of that interest but of the delight wo feel at having you home again." In further, remarks, Father O'Shea referred sympathetically- to the death of Father O'Meara, and off Mr. J. J. Devine. Finally he extended a right hearty welcome, and expressed a hope that the Archbishop , might long be spared to rule over his diocese, a model of what a true Christian bishop and chief, pastor of souls should be. On Behalf of the Laity. Mr. Martin Kennedy, oil behalf of the laity, joined in the welcome voiced by Father O'Shea. It had been a great pleasure to ■ the whole Catholic community to icaliso that tho Archbishop was representing the Dominion at the Montreal Congress. hi passing, Mr. Kennedy remarked on tile fact that no information whatever had been cabled to this country in reference to the groat congress. It had been a pleasure to reflect, that, notwithstanding this suppression,'they would get news of .the congress from his Grace direct on his return. Archbishop Redwood was to bo congratulated on the public spirit he had shown in going to the congress. (Applause.) By so doing ho had added tg tho maiiy services he hadi already, tenderedto the .Catholic community. The speaker joined the Vicar-General in hoping that his Grace might long be spared to continue, these services to his peoplo. (Applause.) Archbjshop Describes the Congress, Archbishop Redwood was , greeted with very hearty, applause when, ho rose to speak. • "I have to tender my very -sincere thanks,'! he said, "for the words which have been uttered by the vicar-general on this occasion. I tendor my thanks also to Mr. . Martin Kennedy and to the'laity whom he represents for their kind welcome home." It would be a good thing, the speaker opined, if-ho went away more often, for: things _ apparently, were better directed during his absence than, when he was present." (Oh,-no I) Haying voiced his regret at the loss sustained during his absence by -the demiso of Father O'Meara and of Mr. J. J. Devine, the Archbishop entered upon an account of tho Eucharistic Congress art Montreal. He described its leading features with a wealth .of detail.' This twenty-first congress, the Archbishop declared, was by far the most magnificent and most successful ever held. Among tho splendid ceremonies of the congress was a Pontifical high mass celebrated in St. Patrick's Church at Montreal, an edifice worthy to rank as a cathedral in any city. - The mass, sung in a perfect manner, was followed by a sermon ' eloquently preached by. Father, Bernard Vaughan. ' The outside of St. Patrick's Church was splendidly decorated in the daytime with flowers, flags,.'and ' banners. At night 1 it was illuminated with a profusion of electric lights of various colours. A magnificent midnight mass was celebrated in the church of Notre Dame, a Gothic church erected centuries ago and capable of seating 4t- least 12,000 people. He (Archbishop Redwood) was selected to sing the mass. In passing ho stated that ho was _ received in Montreal with every possible honour, snd was treated with princely hospitality. Tho Archbishop of Montreal had it published in all tho papers that a Bishop had como to the congress from the'most remote part of tho world. After the midnight mass 5000 men received communion. The singing at the offertory, ..the Archbishop declared, was very fine. Ono of tho finest ceremonies was a Pontifical high mass, . celebrated in Fletcher's fields, outside Montreal. Here an altar was erected ninety feet high. It was an excellent imitation of white marble. The natural flowers alone, employed in its decoration, cost, £400. The , Cardinal Legate caiue to tho mass in a magnificent carriage drawn by four horses and with cutridoi'S. The attendants were in grand gala, exactly as they would he. at the Vatican. When the elevation of tho Host took place, 100,000 people prostrated themselves in perfect 1 silence. The Archbishop described at length the great procession of tho Blessed Sacrament. On tho day of tho procession tho railways brought 200,000. people into_ Montreal, and something like a million' people viewed its progress. Eighty thousand people took part in the procession, and the grandeur of the sceno was imexpressible. "If yon had been with mo on this occasion," he concluded, "how proud you would have been to be a Catholic. Where is there a religion that can prolues such a wonderful display, as was witnessed in tho Eucharistic Congress .it Montreal?" On the motion of Mr. P. J. O'Regan, tho Archbishop waa awarded by acclamation a voto of thanks for his address.