LYING IN STATE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 87, 7 January 1935, Page 8

LYING IN STATE

Archbishop Redwood REMOVAL OF BODY TO BASILICA Last Evening’s Impressive Obsequies BENEDICTION AND ROSARY The passing tf Archbishop Francis Redwood lias sympathetically disturbed not only the whole of the community of this Dominion, but has had its reverberations in distant places far removed from the Archdiocese, where his presence was a strength and s- blessing. His successor, his Grace Archbishop O'Shea, has been the recipient of many further messages of condolence, couched in terms which could only be commanded by one whom his Excellency the Governor-General described as "a unique personality.” These messages denote in a striking manner the impress his Grace made on the age as a devout son of the Church, as one whose great desire was to witness all, enjoy the benefits of sound education, and whose administrative capacity at the head of the Hierarchy was a matter for admiration over an area of the British Empire not confined to New Zealand. To-day will be a day of mourning. The remains of the prelate will lie in state in the Hill Street Basilica throughout-the day. This evening at 7.30 o'clock the Solemn Office of the Dead will be chanted by a choir of priests, which has been assembled in Wellington for that purpose. The Very Rev. Father Schaefer, S.M., rector of the Marist Fathers’ Novitiate at Greenmeadows, Hawke’s Bay, will be the musical director. At 10 a.iu. to-morrow in the Basilica, Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop O’Shea. At. the conclusion of that impressive service, the funeral will leave the Basilica for the Karori cemetery by way of Hill Street, Molesworth Street, Bowen Street, Sydney Street, Tinakori Road. Glenmore Road, and so, by the main road, to the cemetery. MOURNERS AT PRESBYTERY Basilica Draped in Black Many devout Catholics, relatives and intimate friends called at the presbytery in Guilford Terrace on Saturday to view the remains of Archbishop Redwood. Though no intimation that such procedure would be allowed, none was refused admission, and throughout the day people, impelled by an affection and veneration for the Archbishop, were ushered into the chamber of death, almost invariably to drop to their knees before the mortal remains of one who has made church history in this Dominion. These mourners included many of the Sisters of Mercy and Sisters of the Sacred Heart. During Saturday the interior of the Basilica was artistically draped in black and' white as an outward and visible sign of the church’s mourning. Every column is hung with long black and white streamers, and from the centre of each interior arch hang bannerets of black and white, some carrying the letters “R.1.P.,” and other significant insignia in keeping with the solemn occasion. The general lying-in-state will take place to-day. The doors of the Basilica will be opened at an early hour, and people will be permitted to tile past tlie casket throughout the day. As a great many will probably take advantage of this occasion to pay their last respects it is requested that no one will linger more than a second or two beside the casket, and that quiet orderliness will prevail, if queues become necessary. IMPRESSIVE SERVICE Benediction and Rosary at Basilica Last evening witnessed an impressive service at the Hill Street Basilica, which was all too small to accommodate those who wished to be present. Among those who filled the front side pews were about some hundred members of the Hibernian Society in full regalia and about tlie same number of Children of Mary in their pale blue cloaks and white veils. .At the conclusion of the Benediction, at which the Very Rev. Dr. Casey, of Greenmeadows, officiated, the members of the orders mentioned retired in order to act as a guard of honour during the transference of the body of Archbishop Redwood from the residence to the church. During that interval the solo, '‘O Rest in the Lord” (Mendelssohn), was sung by Miss Mary McKeown.

Then, following the solemn tolling of the bell, a priest, bearing the episcopal cross and attended by acolytes with lighted candles, entered the main doors, and as they advanced at the bead of the procession the voice of the priest (Father P. Smyth) could be heard reciting the prayer for the dead. Following the elevated cross came slowly up the centre aisle the Children of Mqry, and following them, in pairs, came the Hibernians in their green regalia. The casket was borne by eight officers of the Hibernian Society, who placed it on a raised catafalque, draped with black and white. The whole of the congregation, led by the Rev. Father Cahill, recited the Rosary with -u--usual fervour and unanimity. At the conclusion of the Rosary, the lid of the casket was raised, and, to the solemn strains of Chopin's “Marche Funebre" the congregation filed past the open casket to take one last glance at him who was for over (10 years Bishop of Wellington. Not only those who were able to attend vespers, but many others entered the church and joined the precession which quietly and solemnly filed past the catafalque. OFFICIATING CLERGY Pontifical Requiem Mass To-morrow As announced on Saturday. ' His Grace Archbishop O'Shea will be (lie celebrant and also the panegyrist at

the solemn pontifical Requiem Mass to be celebrated at tlie Hill Street Basilica at 10 a.m. to-morrow'. The Rt. Rev. Monsignor McManus (Palmerston North) will be the assistant priest, and the Rt. Rev. F. Cullen (Hawera) and the let. Rev. T. Connolly (Kilbirnie) will be Deacons of Honour. The Rev. Father D. Hurley, S.M. (Provincial of tlie Marist Fathers of Nmv Zealand and Australia) will be Deacon. The Rev. Father - Hannigan C.SS.H. (representing the Rector of St. Gerard’s Monastery, Wellington), will be Sub-Deacon. The Rev. Dr. C. Casey, S.M. (Mt. St. Mary’s Scholasticate, Greenmeadows) will be Master of Ceremonies, and the Very Rev. Father W. Schaefer, S.M., will be in charge of the choir of priests. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS In connection with the funeral service to-morrow, tlie girls who are to march in the procession will be dressed iu white, and are to assemble in Guilford Terrace at 10.30 a.m.. while the boys will assemble at the same time at the Hawkestone Street Marist Brother’s School. The Children of Mary are to meet in Guilford Terrace at 11.15 a.m., and the members of tlie Hibernian Society and other men will assemble at tlie same time in lower Hill Street.

Members of the clergy who are taking part in the procession to-morrow between the Archbishop's residence and the Church, will assemble at the Guilford Terrace School at 9.45 a.m.

MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY

Further messages of condolence have been received from the Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, the Minister of- Industries and Commerce, the Hon. R. Masters, the Mayors of Palmerston North. Nelson, Featherston, Otaki, Gisborne, Hiiwera, and Petone, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, the national chairman of the Y.M.C.A. associations of New Zealand, the Public Trustee, the Bishop of Waiapu, Archbishop Kelly, of Sydney, the secretary of the Catholic Lawn Tennis Association, the Hon. Vincent Ward, J. Meyers and Company, Bishop Wade (Solomon Islands), Archbishop Killian (Adelaide), Bishop Hayes (Rockhampton), Bishop Gleeson (Maitland), Bishop Dwyer. Rev. Father Travers (rector, Holy Trinity College, Cork), Very Rev. Brother O’Connor (rector, St. Kevin’s College. Oaniaru), Rev. Father Collins (Dunedin), Dean Darby (Auckland), Rev. Father Carmine (Takaka), Rev. R. Loughnan (Riverview College, Sydney), Mr. C. Redwood (Toowoomba, Queensland), Mrs. Mcßride and family. Nelson), Councillor Burns, Very Rev. Father Rieu (Superior of the Marist Fathers—from the Vatican City), Archbishops Clune and Prendeville (Perth), Archbishop Duhig (Brisbane), Archbishop Hayden (Hobart), Bishop Barry (Gonlbiirn), Bishop O’Collins ■ (Geraldton. Western Australia) Bishop Darnand, S.M. (Samoa), the Rt. Rev. Bernadine (Superior of the Missions at Rarotonga), tlie Very Rev. Father Mullany (Superior of St. Columban’s Mission. Melbourne), the Very Rev. Father Perkins (Superior of the Sacred Heart Fathers, Sydney), the Very Rev. Father Byrne (Provincial of the Redemptorist Fathers, Newcastle, Australia), the Very Rev. Father Herring, S.M. (Glen Lyon, Brisbane). Dr. George Craig (Comptroller of Customs), Mrs. Knox Gilmer, the Commissioner of Police (Mr. W. G. Wohlmnnn). and Lieut-Commander Kennedy. R.A.N., H.M.A.S. Australia, on behalf of over one hundred Catholic members of the warship's, crew.