EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3843, 11 September 1928, Page 2

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS.

CLOSING CEREMONIES. THOUSANDS LINE ROUTE OF PROCESSION. Sydney, September 9. Scenes of religious fervour and adoration were witnessed with the progress of the Host through the City streets from Circular Quay to Saint Mary’s 'Cathedral. Thousands upon thousands fired Avith religious enthusiasm, lined the route and as the canopy, borne by eight Victoria Cross Avinners, eoA T ering the Papal Legate, carrying the monstrance containing the Sacred V afer passed, remarkable scenes were Avitnessed. CroAvds containing members of all denominations, bared their heads and thousands of men and Avomen dropped to their knees, securing a benediction from the Cardinal as he passed. From early morning, a colossal pilgrimage commenced and all roads literally led to Rome’s representatives. Thousands thronged the approaches to Saint Mary’s Cathedral hours before the ceremony commenced. The Host AA T as brought from Saint Patrick’s College at Manly where Cardinal Cerretti, at an immense high altar on the steps of the •College, celebrated High Mass, by the Papal barge, Avhich Avas a converted ferry steamer to Circular Quay. The scene coming up the harbour Avas magnificent. The Papal barge painted snoAv Avhite Avith a yellow hand all round, these being the Papal colours, in a stately progress up the harbour Avas accompanied by an immense fleet of small boats and numbers of aeroplanes overhead, Avith the foreshores, harbour and every vantage point thronged, and as the stately procession passed heads Avere reverently bared. On reaching Sydney, a procession formed at Circular Quay and thence to the Cathedral, the Host being reverently borne. The scene in the vicinity of the sacred edifice was indescribable, as the procession passed the bareheaded multitude, and provided a scene of remarkable ecclesiastical splendour. Princes and Prelates* of Church from all countries in gorgeous robes, accompanied priests and monks of all orders, Avith members of all the Roman Catholic brotherhoods, pacing majestically through the packed streets lined with Children of Mary in their veils and robes, gave a kaleidoscopic effect to a scene of religious solemnity never before Avitnessed in Australasia. As the procession wended its solemn way to the Cathedral the raising of which has been the life Avork of Archbishop Kelly, the strains of sacred music broadcast from the Cathedral lent an added touch of solemnity to the almost OA r er-powering scene of religious fervour.

As the aged Prelate, Archbishop Kelly passed, the enthusiasm of the onlooking multitudes reached feAer heat and cheer after cheer greeted the Archbishop. The culminating point of a day Avhich made history in Australasia was reached ay hen the Papal Legate appeared on the steps of the Cathedral and after declaring the Eucharistic Congress closed, blessed the Avaiting multitude, Avho fell to their knees to receWe the Cardinal’s benediction. To-day’s extraordinary demonstration marked the close of a week’s devotional fervour never before Avitnessed. Country people from all parts of the Commonwealth and Ngav Zealand and other countries flocked to the city and the accommodation was taxed to the utmost. From early morning to late at night, Saint Mary’s, Avhich will be a perpetual monument to the life work of Archbishop Kelly, has been thronged Avith Avorshippers and such a Avave of religious enthusiasm has sAvamped the City that all other issues have been croAvded out altogether. Many Avild threats of violence were made, but to-day’s proceedings passed off without a hitch. It has been a memorable Aveek, Avhich Avill live perpetually in the history of those of Catholic faith in Australasia.