EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1926, Page 4

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

ENORMOUS CROWDS ASSEMBLE. AUCKLAND. Aug. 23. Some idea of the magnificence and enormous scale on which the Eucharistic Congress was carried out in Chicago was given by Bishop Liston in a sermon in St Benedict’s Church last evening. The Bishop said it would bo impossible to tel! more than fragments of tho whole, as few would envisage the full magnitude and meaning of the whole congress. The congress was officially opened by the Papal Legate in Chicago Cathedral at ten o’clock. “Entering the cathedra! with its magnificent decorations, our first thought was that the church was clothed in fabric of gold,” Dr Liston said, “but flapping banners brought a second impression that it was clothed with a living fabric. Only about 2500 bishops and priests were able to obtain entrance to the cathedral, hut wireless amplifiers in tho pulpit, nt tho altar and in the choir gallery permitted transniision of the service to millions who waited outside ' and listened-in throughout, the whole of the United States. In New York a priest explained to a multitude of people. Catholic and 11011-Catholic, details of the service as it came over the air Mini was heard through, loud speakers.” Dr Liston said that as lie assisted in that colourful and dignified service he, could not, help allowing his thoughts to go hack two hundred and fifty years to the day when m Jesuit father from Quebec lauded on the shore of tliclako where Chicago now stands. Ho was the first white man to tread that soil, and one felt, as lie looked down at the congress, that he must give thanks for the great transformation which It id taken place.

The out-of-door celebrations of the congress were held in the Soldiers’ Field, a. stadium which provided accommodation for at least half a million people. A high altar had been erected, and before it services were conducted. Tho singing of 62,000 children on Children’s Day loft an impression on Dr Liston’s mind that surely hero was something 'almost as sweet as a Mass sung by angels, so sweet and fresh were the voices of the children. Dr Liston also described AVomen’s Day. But, impressive as all the celebrations were, one that seemed to be outstanding was the Alen’s Service, where over 400,000 men, holding candles aloft on a calm, moonlight night, recited their declaration, of faith. As wns the rule with gatherings of men of such a character, the service broke quietly and nervously, the men appearing to he held with the deep religious fervour of the service.

The congress was brought to a close with the celebration of Pontilieial High ALiss a few miles from the city. Overnight, thousands slept in the open in order to be early for the. service, and when Atass was read there was an at- ; tendance of at least 800,000 people. A great procession was formed after Afass, Catholic societies from all parts of the world being represented. The Sacred Host u ns carried, and, as it was borne past, the crowd knelt in adoration. Dr Liston mentioned that as the procession was moving a thunderstorm could bo seen approaching. There were anxious moments, for it was possible that under the storm people might become a rabble, with consequent danger to many aged men and women who were present. The anxiety was needless, however, for, although there was lightning, thunder, hail and rain for nearly half an hour, the people remained steady with bared bonds, and ns the Host came by they knelt in tho mud.