EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1928, Page 2

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

ANOTHER VAST THRONG. (Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, September G. Fifty thousand people to-day congregated outside St. Mary’s Cathedral, which was packed, to hear Pontifieial High Mass celebrated by the Bishop of Namur, Rev. Dr. Heylen (President of the Congress), in the presence of tho Papal Legate, Cardinal Cerretti. The Mass was heard by the crowds in Hyde Park outside by means of amplifiers, many of those in the waiting throng dropping to their knees and praying.

From an early hour, the Cathedral was a scene of great activity. A congregation of over nine thousand was assembling therein long before the Mass commenced, including the members of • lie Consular Corps and the Chief Civic Commissioner of Sydney. There was a most impressive and magnificent sight as the procession entered the Cathedral, headed by the Knights of Saint Gregory and of Saint Silvester, and the Wearers of the Crown of Leo, all in dress clothes, anil wearing their orders. Next came the Monsignor of the Papal Household, and the Vicar-Gener-als of Dioceses, and Master of Ceremonies. In their long line, the purple-clad bishops, with the colours of many different nationalities and orders,-made a brilliant spectacle.

It was by far the most brilliant sight of the Congress proceedings. SHOAY G ROUND CONCOURSE.

The crowd which attended the Congressmen's night demonstration in the evening at the Agricultural Showground was estimated at between one hundred and sixty and two hundred thousand people. ' The spectacle was unprecedented in Australasia. AVlien Cardinal Cerretti (Papa! Legate) and Archbishop Kelly of Sydney (Host of the Congress) arrived with other dignitaries, the cheering was simply deafening. The occasional address was by Dr O’Doherty, oil “The Duties of Parents,” and was a most eloquent one. The devotional aspect ol the vast gathering was most impressive, and a remarkable spectacle was that of many thousands of men kneeling on the green sward of the Showground. Among those present were two thousand five hundred priests. The singing of the many thousands, who rendered several hymns, was wonderful. It was directed by Rev. Father Herlihy, who had been in Lewisham Hospital for some time, having lost one of hiA eyes, but lie was able to be present and to direct the myriad voices. All around the ground were microphones, also amplifiers, as well as electric lights. The great altar used was specially built for demonstration during the evening and for the Congress Open Air Mass on Friday morning at the Showground. After the singing of the “Tnntuin Ergo ” and “ 0 Salutaris,” the Papal Legate imparted the Benediction. It

was announced that the blessing would extend to all radio listeners to the Cardinal, and that messages had been received that the broadcast was wonderfully clear throughout tho world. The electric lights were extinguished, and candles were lit instead for the Pope s blessing, and the Benediction was an unforgettable scene. Though the Soldiers’ Field at Chicago had a greater crowd at last Congress, the reverence, and zeal of tho Sydney gathering excelled that of the American one. All knelt for the blessing, holding candles aloft. As Cardinal Cerretti descended front the altar tho cheering broke out louder than ever.