EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1928, Page 3

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

THE EUCHARIST. PRIVILEGE ACCORDED TO ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH. (Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, Aug. 29. For the first time in Australia, the Roman Catholics will have the privilege of worshipping the exposed Host, which will be inaugurated at St. Patrick’s Church, in the city, by Cardinal Cecetti, Papal legate, on September sth.

The privilege accorded St. Patrick’s arises from the fact that the house in which the Eucharist reposed for nearly two years in 1818 after the deportation of Father O’Flynn by Governor Macquurrie, was contained in tbo grounds of St. Patrick’s Church. St. Patrick’s therefore, becomes the Australian Catholics’ National Shrine of perpetual adoration. (Received this day at Q n.m.) SYDNEY, August 30.

At Sydney the priests officiating at St. Patrick’s in connection with the Host are all New Zealanders, mostly formerly associated with St. Patrick’s College. 'Wellington.

CARDINAL CERETTI. -MESSAGE TO NEW ZEALAND. (Received this day at 11 0 a.m 1 SYDNEY. August 30. Cardinal Ceretti. with other distinguished leaders of the Catholic Church, arrived in Sydney this morning aboard the Orama. They were welcomed by local dignitaries.

Cardinal Ceretti. in a special message to the people of New Zealand, which was handed to the Press Association through the courtesy ol Bishop Cleary, says: “It is indeed a verygreat pleasure to visit, alter an absence of thirteen years, the Commonwealth of Australia. If circumstances permit, a no less pleasure should lie mine in visiting the unforgettable islands of New Zealand. I can well remember the sentiments of surprise and admiration experienced by me on visiting that privileged land of such wonderful beauty, with its lofty mountains. its flower-decked plains. Us crystal lakes reminded me lorcibly o-l inv own fail* land, Italy. Ibe natural riches of the country astonish visitors, and then there are industries so varied and so prolific, but most of all does a stranger to its shores wonder at those marvellous thermal regions for which the islands are famous, bill lar beyond the abundant fertility of the soil, yea. even more than the wondrous energy of its people, do I recall the kingly generous enthusiasm with which the people received me on my first, but I hope not my last visit, to New Zealand. Citizens, without distinction, class, or creed, bid me welcome and did all in their power to make the visit agreeable.

“In a special manner does my memory retain the enthusiastic manifestations of the kind and brave Maori people and a lively impression in witnessing their quaint and significant customs lingers still in my mind and speaks volumes for the noble traditions of natives of that interesting land. Truly New Zealand is a wonderful land, wonderful in what it has been, wonderful in wliat it is. and as nature seems to have showered her choicest blessings on it so may the Good God send his abundant blessing on its generous and hospitable people. It is then, with deep affection, and with grateful memory, that I pray our dear Lord to bless that beautiful laud ami its gentle, noble people.” A SPECTACULAR display.

A procession of motor cars containing Church dignitaries leaves Peninsular wharf, Wooloomooloo Bay at ten o’clock for Saint Mary's Cathedral. The whole route, a mile and a half is lined with children from Catholic schools. The j-ic-li dressings and the insignia of rank of the vaiiyus orders will he enhanced by manyquaint national 'dresses from foreign lands and make this, the preliminary display, wonderfully spectacular and such as has never hitherto been seen in Australia.