THE APOSTOLIC DELEGATE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2674, 21 January 1916, Page 11

THE APOSTOLIC DELEGATE

VISIT TO ST. GERARD'S CHURCH. On Tuesday evening His Excellency Archbishop Cerretti, attended by his secrotary, the Itev. Dr. Ormond, Dr. Kaldeway, and the Itev. Father Shcrin, of Sydney, visited. St. Gerard's Monastery and beautiful church. Tho rector, the Very Rev. Father itochc, G.S.S.R., and the members of the Redemption Community, met His Excellency and escortd him during his vist to the various altars and shrines of tlie church. Ainoug tho clergy present were also the Right Rev. His Lordship Dr. Verdon, the Bishop of Dunedin; Right Rev. Monsignor M'Kenna, Very Rev Dean Power, and Rev. T. M'Kenna. Hie Very llev. Father Roche, C.S.S.R., entertained His Excellency and others at ■dinner. The benediction servicc was held at 7.30 p.m. and the procession passed along the centre aislo of the church to tho High Altar, which had been extensively decorated and lighted with upwards of 500 candles, and was a beautiful sight. „ -v The Apostolic Delegate first gave the Blessing to the crowded congregation, and then the Benediction, of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The Very Rev. Dean Power, S.M., was Deacon, and the Rev. Father O'Sullivan, C.S.S.R., cub-deacon. After the Benediction His Excellency stood at tho sanctuary gates and each member of the congregation was presented to him.

During the service the fhoir of St. Gerard's, under the direction of Mr. Frank Oakes, sang: '.'Cast Thy Burden" (Mendelssohn), "God is a Spirit" (Bennett), "0 Salutaria" (E flat), (Elgar), "Ave Vcrum" (Mozart, "Tanturn Egro" (in C Minor), (Lambillotte), "Divine Praises," "Adoremus" (Allegri), and "Jubilate Deo" (Mozart), in a highly finishe'd manner. Mr. T. Gusscott presided at tho organ. After the service the clioir and conductor were presented to His Excellency at the Monastery, and the choir's efforts ivere commented upon by His Excellency, who said that lie had heard many choirs rendering the beautiful music of tho Catholic Church, aiid ho had no hesitation in telling the choir of St. Gerard's that it is the finest and most artistically trained body ho had heard h Australasia.' He wished it to be understood that he said this with a full knowledge of choir singing and interpretation of church music. He then c;ave the choir his special blessing.