FUNERAL RITES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 86, 5 January 1935, Page 12

FUNERAL RITES

Archbishop Redwood

LYING-IN-STATE ON MONDAY Tuesday’s Pontifical Requiem Mass MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY After having been embalmed, the remains of the late Archbishop Francis Redwood, whose death occurred on Thursday night, were conveyed last evening to the residence in Guildford Terrace, next to the Basilica, and overlooking the Marist ’Mission House. There, in the front room, where his Grace interviewed (

and advised thousands of callers, the simple casket was placed and surrounded with six lighted candles. The body lies in the casket attired in the purple vestments of the high office he held during his life. Lying on the breast is the black and white pallium of the archbishop, which will be buried with him. His small and graceful hands are encased in purple gloves, and the episcopal ring adorns the third finger of the right hand. At his feet lies the folded white mitre of the archbishop. This is exactly how he will appear at the lying-in-state at the Basilica on Monday. Big Assembly Expected. It is anticipated that many thousands from all parts of the Dominion will pass through the Basilica on Monday to pay a. last tribute of respect to a great churchman, who t se name is indissolubly associated with the history of religious .and educational endeavour in New Zealand. Archbishop O’Shea will be the heiebrant at the Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass to be offered for the repose of the soul of the late archbishop at tfhe Basilica at 10 a.m; on Tuesday. After the Mass the funeral procession will pass from Hill Street down through Molesworth Street to Lambton Quay, and will then proceed by way of Bowen and Sydney Streets, Tina.kori Road, and Glenmore Road to the Karorl Cemetery. There promises to be a very large attendance of the clergy and. laity from all parts of the Dominion. The Children of Mary and the members' of the Hibernian Society will march in the procession in their regalia. The Port Nicholson Band will also be in attendance. Band of Maori Mourners. A band of twenty Maoris are to attend the funeral. On behalf of the Catholic natives of Otaki, they )}dll lay a mat on the grave of the revered Archbishop, while the women of the party will lament in characteristic manner. At the Requiem Mass there will be a full choir of priests, under the leadership of Father' Schaeffer. Dr. Casey, of Greenmeadows, will be the Master of Ceremonies. , INSPIRATION TO ALL Dr. Dickie’s Fine Tribute By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, January 4. The lit. Rev, Principal Dr. John Dickie, moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly, paid the following tribute to the late Archbishop Redwood “A personality like the late Archbishop Redwood does not belong to any section of Christendom, however widespread and venerable. It belongs to the .Church Universal. There were united in him, the grace and culture of the’Old World, the moral and religious intensity of his church, and the adaptability which is perhaps the most outstanding characteristic of these newer lauds. An Englishman by birth, he came to New Zealand as a child, received his higher education 4n France, became a professor in Ireland, and returned to New Zealand as Bishop of Wellington, almost at the earliest age when it was canonically possible to be consecrated to the episcopate. “One of his first public utterances of wlpch I took note was his generous reference to the friendliness of churches in the early days of our Dominion. It was a wonderful prescience which selected him for his high oflice. He was a great colonist, a great-citizen and a great Catholic bishop. He saw his church grow from small beginnings to its present (Position, and grew with it in the affection and esteem of the community, not only of his own communion but the whole of the community. More and more as the years Increased, all the churches came to accord him the large measure of veneration with which he was regarded by fellow Catholics. • We felt that a man so venerable by the reason of his years, character and position, so vigorous, so steadfast, so able and so (pyal to truth as he saw it. was a strength and inspiration to all. "He has died full ot years and honour, having ■ retained wonderful powers of mind, body and soul, right to the very end. It would be unbecoming to grieve over his passing, but we remember gratefully his long and honoured life, and hope that bis church, and all the churches, may, in the good providence of God, have, leaders like him to keep faith and lay hold on eternal life.” »

MUCH ACCOMPLISHED

Keen Interest in Education

It almost seems incredible Hint so much could be accomplished in the lifetime of one man as that which has come to pass, largely at his initiation during (he life of the late Archbishop Redwood. Education has ever had his first consideration. It was during the first years of his episcopate that the Marist Brothers’ school, for so long in Bouleott Street, was established: but primary education was not enough.’ so. as the city and his diocese grow, he established St. Patrick’s College. 'Chen in 1890 it was under his sponsorship that the two magnificent foundations for the training of priests were established at Meanee, afterwards removed to Greenmeadows. He lived to see the one place flooded nnd the other almost destroyed by earthquake, with sad loss of life.

Orphanages were established at Wellington and Nelson about the same time, and Maori Missions were begun al Jerusalem and Olakl long before the last century ended. A Maori Girls’

College was also established in Hawke’s Bay. It was due to the late prelate that the Sisters of the Sacred Heart were induced to initiate a branch of their Order in Timaru, and afterwards in Wellington. His Grace gave his old residence as a home in Wellington for the Marist Missioners, a purpose the residence in Eccleston Hill still serves. One of the acts of which his Grace was most proud was the framing of Diocesan Statutes, which he found were necessary for the government of the church under the new conditions prevailing in this country. At the synod convened to study these statutes, composed in Latin by his Grace, they were so highly approved by tire assembled Bishops that Dr. Moran (afterward Cardinal) approved of their adoption for his own diocese. “I deem this transaction one of the most important ot my episcopal career,” said his Grace. “I became thereby, so to speak, the founder of practical Canon Law in New Zealand.” After his golden jubilee in 1924 his Grace received an. intimation that his Holiness would be glad if he could make it convenient to visit Rome. En route he visited Holland to attend the Eucharistic Congress there. When his Grace entered the stadium at Amsterdam he was startled to see the vast audience rise and cheer. When the salvos had died down he whispered to the interpreter, “Whom are they cheering?” “They are cheering you—the oldest bishop in the world,” was the reply. Not many people living have seen the Pontificates of six Popes, as his Grace had. He lived under Gregory XVI, Pius IX, Leo XIII, Pius X, Benedict XV, and Pius XI.

UNIQUE PERSONALITY’

c Many Messages of Sympathy

Many messages of _ sympathy from near and far were received yesterday. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea received the following message from his Excellency the Governor-General:—

My wife and I join with members of your great Christian brotherhood in sorrowing for the loss of your eminent and revered veteran chief, who passed from our midst last night. He was for nearly a century so much a part of New Zealand and its civil and spiritual progress and development, and Was so resolute in pursuit of righteousness that the Dominion cannot but feel immeasurably poorer for his passing, although proudly conscious ot having numbered among her citizens and Empirebuilders so unique a personality.

The Apostolic Delegate cabled: “Profoundly .grieved at death of Archbishop Redwood. I offer my. deepest sympatb.v to you, to the clergy and the people or iho Archdiocese in the loss of a great anl venerable pastor. I join all in prayers or his eternal rest.”

The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes: “On’behalf of the Government I desire to extend through you an expression of deep sympathy in the great loss sustained by the Roman Catholic Church by the death of Archbishop Redwood. The late Archbishop’s most distinguished services to the church and his unique record ensured for him a very high place among the citizens of the Dominion, who mourn the passing of a great man and a genial and lovable personality, whose influence in the community will be sorely missed.” The Minister of Justice, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe: “I wish you to accept and to please convey to the clergy my warmest sympathy in the passing of so great « pillar of the cburcli>the Most Rev. Francis Redwood, Archbishop and Metropolitan of New Zealand. His Grace was admired for his work and length of devoted service to his people, and his death will be deeply mourned by all sections of the community.” The Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Health: “In the passing of Archbishop Redwood New Zealand loses a notable and beloved citizen, and the church in particular an outstanding prelate. His demise will be mourned by all sections of the community. To your church and the relatives of the late Archbishop, I tender my heartfelt sympathy in the great loss sustained.”

'The Lender of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage: “On behalf of the Opposition in Parliament I extend deepest sympathy at the passing of a great churchman and citizen. The late Archbishop Redwood has, by his good works, endeared himself with all sections of the people, and we join with them in mourning his loss.” From Archbishop Averill: “Please accept sincere sympathy of self and Anglican communion on great loss sustained by Archbishop Redwood’s death.” From Bishop gprott: “Bishop and Mrs. Sprott send respectful sympathy in the death of the great and venerable Aretibishop.” From Presbyterian Y,M. Bible Class Union : “Presbyterian Young Men’s Bible Class Union in annual conference desires to express deep' sympathy in the loss of Very Rev. Archbishop Redwood. Chappell.” From Wellington Jewish community: “The Wellington Jewish community joins the Catholic people of New Zealand in mourning the passing of your revered and greatly beloved Archbishop Redwood. Rabbi Solomon Katz.” 1 From Archbishop Mannix: "Heartfelt sympathy. I share in the universal sorrow for the patriarchal Archbishop.” From Mr. J. Connolly, M.P.: “I respectfully desire to tender you and the Catholie people of Wellington especially, indeed Dominion, my deepest sympathy on f.he death of his Grace Archbishop Redwood.. The Catholics have lost their illustrious prelate who was ever an inspiration, counsellor and friend; the Do. minion one of its greatest citizens; nnd to-day both Church and State mourns the death' of a true Christian gentleman who nobly and loyally did n great man’s part in the interests of Christianity and consequently in the welfare of New Zealand and its people.” From Mr. Walter Nash. M.P.: "May I extend to your Church, through you. my sincere sympathy at the loss it has sustained in the passing of his Grace Archbishop Redwood, who has rendered mi-iii-eccdented Service to religious nnd national life for so many years.” Messages were also received from Bishop Dwver. Wagga Wagga, New South Wales; Bishop McCarthy, Bendigo. Victoria : Bishop Foley, Ballarat, Victoria : Abbot Catalan, New Norcia, West Australia’', ‘Rev. Louis Loughnan. S.J.. Riverview College, Sydney: Bishop Brodie (Christchurch). Bishop Whyte (Dunedin). Bishop Liston (Auckland), the Very Rev Father Cullen (St. Patrick’s College. Wellington), the Rev. Dr. Rossitbr (Holy Cross College. Mosgiel). Religious Communities of Nuns (New Zealand). Little Company of Mary (Lewisham Svdney). Redemptorist Fathers. I Marist Brothers, Mr. F. O’Sullivan (pre sident Irish National Club), presideir* Earlv Settlers’ Association (Wellington) Mr. G. R. Sykes. M.P. (Masterton), Hon. W. Perry. Otnki Maoris. Provincial of Marist Brothers

HIS GRACE’S STRAD

Incidents in Its Career

Probably the late Archbishop R<“l wood's most precious personal possession was Ills Stradlvarius violin. :l genuine "listed" Strad. worth ti considerable sum of money at: any time, nnd. perhaps, a fancy price, should the purchaser be keen oil possession There Is no stun dard price for such violins Some have been secured at bargain prices: others have realised enormous sums, due to the operations ot wealthy collector-- :n the United Slates and elsewhere. In the eiiso of ills Grace's Strad, th-? templathon to sell was not. even eißet tallied. The violin was given him In ex-

change for another excellent instrument as a sacred trust, a trust, needless to say, that was kept to the letter. Wherever the Archbishop went his Strad went with him. That was' not always advisable or necessary, but Ids Grace' was a strong-willed man, and where he travelled his Strad travelled. On the occasion when he attended the Eucharistic Congress in Chicago, his Grace, always the first to hurry off a train or a steamer, missed his violin case among his luggage, and at once suspected the worst. He was sure it had been stolen, and he entered into a fierce controversy with the semi-dazed negro porter who had handled the other bags. Eventually it was found unharmed near the luggage stacks on the platform, where it had been dumped by some porter, eager to get on with his work. Then on another occasion, when attending the Eucharistic Congress in Sydney, the violin case, containing the precious Strad, could not be immediately, located among the rest of his Grace's luggage on the Margaret Street wharf At once, wit h fire in his eye. he tackled everyone whom he imagined might be I in some wav responsible for its disapI pearance. Hot and bothered, he was about to communicate with the police when his own steward from the steamer came down the gangway with the violin case, explaining that he hail locked it up temporarily for safety as the steamer was getting alongside—in ease of accidents. DISTINGUISHED VISITOR Cardinal Due at Auckland Cardinal McCrory, of Armagh, Ireland, is due to arrive in Auckland from Sydney to-mbrrow. on route from the Eucharistic Congress in Melbourne Though there is no definite arrangement, to that end. Bishop Liston, of Auckland, will attend the funeral of Archbishop Redwood on Tuesday, and it is not impossible that the Cardinal may decide to come on to Wellington, instead of spending the whole week In the Auckland district as intended, Bishop Whyte. Dunedin, and Bishop Brodie. Christchurch, will also be present at the Solemn Ponifical Requiem Mass. Priests will attend from all parts of the country. As most of the visiting priests will be leaving for their parishes as soon as possible after the service and funeral no special arrangements for accommodation will be necessary. They will, however, partake of luncheon at St. Fraife'is Hall, Hill Street, after the funeral.

The funeral arrangements are in the hands of the Rev. Father Smyth, parish priest of Thorndon.

ARCHBISHOP’S NIECE

The Rev Mother de Sales, superior of St. Mary’s Convent. Hill Street, who is a niece of Archbishop Redwood’s, is at present seriously indisposed.