IMPRESSIVE SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2563, 10 September 1915, Page 6

IMPRESSIVE SERVICE

FOR FALLEN SOLDIERS REQUIEM MASS AT BASILICA Solemn Requiem Mass was offered up at the Basilica, .Hill. Street, .yesterday morning for the repose of the souls of the fallen soldiers. The congregation filled the church to the'doors, wlTile the ceremony was one of the most impressive ever held in the church. The Very Rev. Deau Regnault, S.M., Adm., celebrated the Mass, and the Rev. Fathers O'Connor and Smyth were deacon and sub-deacon respectively with the Rev. Father Hurley as Master of Ceremonies.. His Grace Archbishop Redwod occupied his chair on the sanctuary, and was attended by the Veu. Archdeacon Devoy and the Very Rev. Dean Smytlio. The Mass was beautifully and impressively intoned by a choir of the clergy. "Dies Irae" was sung, while tho Sisters of St. Mary's Convent sang "Requiesoat in Pace." ■ At the conclusion of the service tho Dead March in Saul was played on the organ by Mr. G. O'Mcegan, the congregation standing. Archbishop Redwood delivered an eloquent address, and stirred the feelings of his congregation with touching but consoling reference to the soldiers who had given their lives "in the fight for their country, for liberty, and true Christianity." Tho Archbishop referred to the great consolation Catholics had in the doctrine of Purgatory. They were gathered ,that day in such large numbers to pray for the repose of tho souls of all those soldiers who had fallen so nobly in battle. His Grace remarked that there was every reason to believe that God would look down in mercy upon .such heroes who were fighting for His cause, and would look upon their sacrifice as a great one, and an act of lovei for Him.'

In conclusion the Archbishop, said: "AVhen I see a soldier going to the war I have a, deep reverence for him and foi- liis uniform, and I say to myself 'this is m.v soldier, ho is fighting for me, he is fighting for all my friends, ho is fighting for mankind, for civilisation; he is fighting for that liberty which I_ appreciate above all things, and he is fighting for the British EmWhen I see that ho has died for his country I have sympathy with him,, and more sympathy for his father and mother, and those he has left behind him. And so wo- are here torday in such large numbers, and we hope that by this Holy Sacrifice and our attendance here that we may assist them to gain eternal bliss in heaven."