EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1927, Page 2

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

IX SYDNEY XEXT YEAR. SYDNEY, Aug. 4. Preparations are already in progress for the big Eucharistic Congress which i.s to he held in Sydney next year, and which will he attended by pilgrims from all parts of the world. Already three big vessels have been chartered to bring visitors from the United States ; another vessel has been booked ii]) by a Canadian pilgrimage. There is certain to he a large attendance from New Zealand. The visitors from oversea are expected to exceed 200,000, and as it will he impossible for the hotels and big hoarding establishments to accommodate them, especially in view of heavy demands ordinarily upon their space, the local Organising Committee is now making an index of all the accommodation available in Roman Catholic homes. It will he quasi-billeting on the grand scale. Sydney will witness at this great gathering, for the tirst time since the picturesque days of Cardinal Ato ran, the brilliant robes of cardinals, as well as of other princes of the Roman Catholic Church. Several European cardinals will grace the historic ceremonials. These august dignitaries will fP headed by the Papal Legate, sent especially by the Pope to preside over the Congress. The honour wii’l fall cither to the famous Cardinal Merry Del Yal. who was Secretary of State to Pope Pius X.. or to Cardinal Ceretti. well-known in Svdnoy as former Apostolic delegate. Roth speak English perfectly. The international character of the Congress is indicated by the fact that sectional meetings will he held in English. French, Spanish. Italian, and other languages.

The completion of St. Mary’s Cathedral. Sydney’s most statei'y edifice, is being hurried in view <>t the Congress. The crypt, which is part of the big extension, is a great cathedral in itself-