THE NEW CONVENT.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1831, 5 January 1880, Page 3

THE NEW CONVENT.

The foundation 5 1 n no of the now convent was laid yesterday morning by the Bight Bov. Dr. Redwood, Lord Bishop of Wellington. The building, a description of which has already appeared in the Pebss, will be erected in the enclosure adjoining the present convent, the main front facing Barbadocs street, and will have an imposing appearance. The ceremony took place at 11 a.m., by which hour a great number of spectators had assembled to witness it.

The procession left the convent in the following order, the nuns singing the “ Veni Creator ” as they walked : Cross Bcrer Acolytes Guard of Honor of the Sacred Heart Children of Mary Girls Sisters of Notre Dame Des Missions Men Choir Boys in Surp'icea Prio-ts Eight Bev. Lor i Bishop of Dunedin Eight Eov. Lord Bishop of Wellington Ladies

The procession having made the circumference of the ground, the sisters chanting “ Ave Maria Stella,” were ranged in a largecircle, and the ceremony of laying the stone was proceeded with. The trowel, of richly chased silver with an ivory handle, which was used by the officiating Bishop, boro the following inscription:—“ Presented to the Bight xvev. Dr. Redwood, Lord Bishop of Wellington, by Theodore B. Jacobsen, architect, at the laying of the Foundation 6tone of the Monastery ol Notre Dame Des Missions of the S-icred Heart. Christchurch, January 4!h, 1880.” The stone bore tho following inscription : “In the 2nd year of tho Reign of Loo XIII. the Foundation Stono of the Monastery of the Sacred Heart of N.D. Des Missions, was laid by the B. Rev. Dr. Redwood, L B. of Wellington, January 4th, 18S0. Preacher, R, Rev. Dr. Moran,"L B. of Dunedin ; P.P., L. M. Ginaty, S.M Sup. Gen., M. du Occur de Jesus; Y. Gen. M. St. Michael; P.M. St. Gabriel.” The following is a copy of tho inscription on parchment which, enclosed within a butlle, was placed beneath tbo stone :—“ In tho second year of tho glorious reign of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIII., Victoria being Queen of England and Sir Hercules Robinson Governor of New Zealand, was laid the foundation stone of the Monastery of tho Sacred Heart, Not.ro Dune des Missions, by his Lordship the Right Rov. Dr. Redwood, Lord Bishop of Wellington— January 4t.h, 18S0. Preacher, tho Right Rev. Dr. Moran, Lord Bishop of Dunedin ; parish priest, Rev. Father L. M. Ginaty, B.M {; superioress general and foundress of the institute, Bev. Mother Marie du Occur do Jesus; Vicar-General for New Zealand, Bev. Mother Mary Bt. Miihasl; prioress, Rev. Mother Mary St. Gabriel ; sub-prioress, Rev. Mother Mary St. Anne ; councillors, Rev. Mother Mary St. John, and Sister Mary St. Cecilia; professed Sisters of the community, Sister Marie de la Sto. Esperance, Sister Mary Jost ph de Jesus, Sister Mary cf the Annunciation, Sister Mary St. Philom na; Sister Mary St. Patrick ; architect, Mr Theodore B. Jacobsen.”

While the stone was being lowered into its place and during the sprinkling, the “ Magni Heat ” was sang, and the ceremony concluded with the consecration of the ground with Holy Water, tho procession returning to the church, the Sisters singing tho “Hymn to tho Sacred Heart.”

After the ceremony solemn Pontifical High Mass was celebrated by his Lordship the Bight Rev. Dr. Redwood, Lord Bishop of Wellington ; assistant priest, tho Rev. L M. Ginaty, S.M.; deacon, the Rev. Father O’Malley, S.J.; sub-deacon, tbe Rev. Father Martin, S M.; master of ceremonies, the Rev. Father Devoy, S.M., assisted by Master Hobm. Tho other priests present were—Rev. Father Ecuyer, Rev. Father Carcw and Rev. Father M'Caughey. Tho sermon was preached by the Bight Rev. Dr. Moran, Lord Bishop of Dm.edin. The Maas was Mozart’s No. 12, Kyrie, Gloria, Benedictus, and Agnus D i. Haydn No. 1, Credo and Sanctus. Offertoire —Adoste Fideles, and after the sermon and during the exposition of the sacrament the choir sang “ O Salutaris ” and “ Tanto Ergo.” AtSp.m. the rite of confirmation was administered by the Bishop of Wellington to 300 children, who had lately made their first communion. Solemn Pontifical Vespers were celebrated in the evening, the sermon being preached by tho Rsv. Father O’Malley, 8 J. The collection at tho close of tho service, including the donations made during the ceremony of laving tho foundation atone, amounted to £530. This evening the Rev. Father O’Malley, S.J., will deliver a lecture in aid of tho building fund of the convent, the subject chosen being “ The Catacombs.”