A GREAT SCENE

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1928, Page 3

A GREAT SCENE

OPENING OF ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL. THE BORE’S MESSAGE. Australian Press Assn.—United Service (Received Lliis day at 9 a.m.) SYDNEY, September 3. I n the presence of enormous crowds, Cardinal Cereti opened the new St. -Mary’s Cathedral. In the morning, the Archbishop of Sydney, surrounded by the whole Australian hierarchy numbering forty bishops and many overseas prelates, celebrated the opening Mass and in the afternoon the Papal Legate officially opened the building. It was a most impressive sight. There was a packed cathedral, surrounded by thousands who were unable to gain entrance. The speakers included Cardinal Cereti, the Premier, Archbishop Redwood, and many other visitor prelates, who stressed the fact that the magnificent building was the life work of Archbishop Kelly, who had completed the work of raising in the youngest of nations of Christendom, a temple worthy of a great and ancient nation.

ihe chalice presented by the l’ope l was delivered by Cardinal Cereti, who I also read a letter from His Holiness wherein he said: 11 We consider we are, acting on instructions which we regard as coining from the angels of the Aus- 1 traliah Church in adding to the mission already destined to accompany our Legate at the Eucharistic Congress, the special charges of hearing and present-. ing to you, Venerable Brother, a clial-j ice which we desire to see used in the sacred functions of the Congress. We, I moreover, wish that it afterwards be I kept in your cathedral ns a perpetual . memorial of our Spiritual presence, at, an event of such importance. j From an early hour in the morning, I crowds began to congregate and when the opening ceremony commenced there I were at least 30,000 gathered in the vicinity of the Cathedral. | The whole service was audible to all, i as numbers of amplifiers were placed all round the cathedral. ; The function was uni<|iie. Never before was there such a gathering ol overseas prelates in Australia.