CATHOLIC CONGRESS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 100, 24 October 1929, Page 7

CATHOLIC CONGRESS

WEEK-END FESTIVAL

IMPRESSIVE SCENES

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 20tli September.

Last week-end Roman Catholics made a brave showing in London. The spectacular note of the National Catholic Congress and its, celebration of the centenary of Catholic emancipation was in full evidence. There were the openair Higli Mass in the grounds adjoining Westminster Cathedral on Sunday morning, the procession of school children with music and banners on Saturday from the Embankment to the Cathedral, and the silent march of thousands of men from Southwark to Westminster on Sunday afternoon. For the High Mass the altar was erected at the top of the sward of the extensive grounds of the' Cathedral. It stood on a high platform, approached by a flight of carpeted steps, and canopied in green and white. Before it was assembled an immense congregation of men and women, filling the grounds, and so crowded that there was no room to kneel even at the most sacred parts of the Mass. The Mass was pontificated by' the Archbishop of Birmingham (Dr. Williams), assisted by priests acting as deacon, sub-deacon, and master of ceremonies. "Cardinal Bourne, wearing the Cappa Magna and occupying the Throne of the altar, presented in their crimson Hierarchy of England and Wales, consisting of four Archbishops . and 19Bishops, assisted at the service. Four Benedictine Abbots were also present. All these prelates, grouped at the foot of the Altar, presented in their crimson and mauve dress a vivid contrast to the subdued white and gold vestments of the celebrant and his ministers. The music, which was sung by the choir of tne Cathedral, was plain song, unaccompanied, and Byrd's five-part Mass. At ,the offertory, "O Socruni Conviviuni," by Tallis, was sung. A EECOED OP PROGRESS. The Archbishop of Liverpool (Dr Thomas Downey), who preached, said that the_ history of the Boman Catholic Church m England was indeed a wonderful record of progress in the hundred years that had elapsed since Emancipation. The rough road which they had traversed was marked by such monumental milestones as the re-establish-ment of the Hierarchy, the building of Westminster Cathedral, the multiplication of the Provinces, the creation of new sees, the founding of new parishes, the continual opening of new schools, a steadiiy increasing stream of converts, and churches packed with worshippers in an age which complained of empty peSi This was life, full-blooded and vigorous, the tempestuous life that bore them with its current ever onwards, pent-up, released to flow Like music from long silent strings Like gushings from deserted springa, Life and life abounding. ♦w^'l^,? 3 the ™an wh° ™>uM say that Catholics had not availed themfound in^the forefront of every walk in Me, m the arts, in the sciences, in the ?fc« ISTl S T, S) M commerce- In a century they had leavened the whole of somet^ The hope of a nation lay in its youth Lately they had witnessed the inspirit spectacle of the gathering together of m a world-embracing Jamboree. In the great camp at Arrowe Park the Mass was offered up daily by no fewer than 110 priests, who had accompanied the tte£ uLT tin£ nta o£ 'Scouts *™£ their homes. It was no exaggeration Bova£ , 3t eaSt °^-halfof he Sm« 3 °f *£ c worid were Catholic, and they were all aware that the rover--35 BrSfl" 4/ 0"131103 CWeflr ■«»*- Here they had-a sure index of. progress. The grain of mustard-seed had *, eat tree ' ana > as "4 con- - templated it, they were reminded that Catholics were vital factors in the consolidation of Britain's Jar-flung Empire Time had shown that they were not the less loyal to the land of th^fr birth bvaltv3^ ! ckno^dged a spiritual thad t lf% dld ey S Bthem eno^ Church the prophet of the Lord spoke FESTIVAI, OF YOUTH. It is estimated that 12,000 bo'vs anrJ &e?L^gt^,Cath°lics^of greater London took part in the aftpr noon procession. All the children were with holy pictures were carried an,! several boys' bands contributed the accompaniments to the hymns that =Wi &£*="££§■ engaged in the teaching of qMs So .erent habits has never been seen in. to^beaa, which tag ftoi^S iiea witn the Papal colours StvmiJ