OUR LADY OF MERCY

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1931, Page 5

OUR LADY OF MERCY

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS.

OBSERVANCE IN HOKITIKA.

The commemoration of the centenary of the foundation of the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy was observed at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church to-day

Solemn High Mass was celebrated at 9.30 a.m. The celebrant was Rev_ Path, er Finnerty, Deacon Rev. Father Long, Rev. Father Lauden, Sub-Deacon, and Rev. Father Anderson, Master of Ceremonies. Other Clergy present in the Sanctuary were Rev. Fathers O’Doher* ty, (Ross), Houlihan and Gregory (Grevinouth), McGrath (Westport), and Seward (Ahaura). The occasional sermon was preached by the Rev. Father Anderson, M.A. The music of the Mass was rendered by the Convent Girls’ Choir, The Sanctuary and Side-Altars were very tastefully decorated by the ladies of the Altar Society. A concert was held this afternoon in St. Mary’s Club rooms, where the fol* lowing programme was presented:— Piano duet, “Valtfe in A Flat,” Misses M. Fitzgerald and M . Stopforth; vocal duet, “God be with You,” Misses E. Dale and R. Motgah; violin duet, (a) “Londonderry Air,” (b) “Souvenir*” Messrs j. Ackers aittl D. Heinß; ybcal goipj “Dark Rosaieen,” Miss R. Morgan • refutation, “The DOolil dt Stephaims,” Miss M. McGavih; piaho solo, “Country Gardens,” Miss J. Jacobs; Vocal solo, Selected, Miss M. Jones; violin solo, 'Un Spirit Portici,!’ Mi' J. Ackers; solo and chorus, (a) “Ring Bells Ring,” soloist, ' Miss M. Jones; (b) “A Regular Royal Queen,” soloists, Misses M. McDonald, M. Hanrnhan, J, Warren and A. Mclntosh. Salve Mater Misericordiae'

A playette entitled “The Laughter Bureau,” was als opresented, the cast being: Madame Souriante, Miss E. Dale; Miss Knott-grave (her secretary), Miss Esther Dale; Hyldegarde Harcase and Ermyntrude Strongly (Clients), Miss M. Kennedy and Miss. Lucy Dale.

ORIGIN OF FOUNDATION. CATHERINE McAULEY’S NOBLE WORK. Religious Orders grow up in the church from the roots of Faith, Hope and Chartiy always alive in it. The; gardening is God’s—the . objects are ever the same, God and the neighbour. The needs change with the times, Catherine Elizabeth McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, was born September 29th, 1787, at Stormanstown House, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Descended on her father’s side and a.so on her mother’s from ancient and honourable families, she reaped the priceless advantage <}f fluence.

At the age of eleven years it was Catherine’s ‘misfortune to lose her worthy parents. A few years later She M r ajj adopted by wealthy relatives. Such was the clmnn of her manner that in a. short time slip became the idol t»f their luxurious home. On her adopted parents Catherine lavished the most devoted’ eare, waiting op them with filial tenderness and affection. Her self-sacrifice was literally rewarded. Mr Callahan, her adopted father, in dying made her his sole heiress. His property exceeded somewhat £30,000. When Catherine'came into possession, without condition of any kind, of this immense fortune, she felt she must show gratitude to Gcd by doing something for his poor. The Order 'of Mercy was the outcome of her communing? with God on the subject. Thg “Order” came into existence when Ireland need, ed it most—just before the famine time, the cholera, time, and the period of increased emigration.

The Sisters of Mercy spread rapidly through Ireland, England and the English-speaking countries of the world. In our own New Zealand the first band of Sisters of Mercy arrived in Auckland as early as 1849; while this little town —Hokitika.—in 1878, claims the distinction of having welcomed and given a home to the pioneer band in the South Island. Since then, Convents of Mercy have been established in almost every province ■ of our fair young land—some'provinces have several Convents of the Order. The special needs of the various localities are being attended to in each.

The distinctive feature of the “Order” is that its works are the ‘“Works of Mercy” and that it unites the active life with the contemplative. The Sisters of Mercy are engaged in the laborious duties of instructing children ill schools—day and boarding—and academies, in managing Industrials Schools, Training Colleges, Hospitals and Orphan Asylums, in visiting the sick and imprisoned. In fact, 1 the Sisters of Mercy undertake any good works for the neighbour,-that charity or necessity require. ;

On December 12th, 1831, Mother Mary Catherine McAuley made her solemn consecration to God, devoting her wealth, her exertions and her life ro the alleviation of human misery. All her rare and magnificent qualities she turned to one subject—the greater, glory of God. She once said:—“l feel that no sacrifice is too great to save from ruin or perdition the humblest of those for whom Our Saviour shed his precious blood.” An appreciation of one of her biographers runs thus : —“Amidst the host of religions women who devoted their lives to the alleviation of human misery and who were angels of mercy to multitudes of suffering ones throughout the history of the Church, none looms up more conspicuous or is clothed with more glory than Catherine McAulev.” •

Tt is pot surprising that one so valiant and of such magnetic spirit should gather round her many kindred spirits. Her spirit is still alive and is being

passed on to succeeding generations bv her host of children who glory in the name she has given them and who, at the present day, are numbered by hundreds of thousands scattered in every quarter of the globe from Northern Ireland to Southern Africa.

May the memory of. this benign gracious, genial, generous -benefactress of the human race go down the ages through her children and serve as an inspiration and a stimulus to generations yet unborn,