NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 302, 22 December 1939, Page 8

NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

Official Statement of Archbishop CENTENNIAL IMPORT WELLINGTON, Dec. 21. An official statement on the New Zealand Centennial National Eucharistic Congress to be held in Wellington from February 1 to 4, 1940, was made last night by his Grace the Most Rev. Thomas O’Shea, Archbishop of Wellington and Metropolitan of New Zealand. Archbishop O'Shea said that his Holiness, Pope Pius XII, in his first Encyclical, "Summi Pontificatus, ’ ’ two months ago, stated to the world that "from the movement of the Eucharistic congresses, furthered with loving care by our predecessors, there How forth fountains of grace and reserves of strength which could hardly be sufficiently prized in the present time, when threats are more numerous, needs multiply and the conflict between Christianity and anti-Christianism grows more intense." It was the proud privilege of the Catholic Church in New Zealand to sponsor a National Eucharistic Congress, said the archbishop. Its implications grew in importance now that the w'orld was at war. It stood as a source of "reserves of strength" not only for this young country but for the darkening and war-torn world. Had tho war not come, France would have sponsored the International Eucharistic Congress in Nice in September, 1940, but now that, once again, the French nation was fighting for its liberties, this outstanding event of the Catholic world had unfortunately had to be postponed. With the exception of possible regional congresses in the United States, the National Eucharistic Congress in Wellington would be the sole Eucharistic Congress in a year momentous not only for Christianity but for civilisation.

. More and more was mankind being L led to realise that salvation for the world lay in a return to the saving and > imperishable doctrines of Christianity; . that the sole antidote to the material- • ism of the age lay in a deepening spirituality; that the sole remedy against i tho deification of the State, the Chris- ; tian valuation of the individual, was of > infinite worth. In the consideration of • such estimates, rested the. importance J of the Eucharistic Congress, not merely J for the Catholie section of the communI ity but for all men of goodwill whatr ever their creed. 5 Religion and Nation. 1 "It is indeed fitting that in this ’ Centennial year, amid the commemorar tions of New Zealand’s material progress as a nation, the great part that 1 religion has played and must play in the future (if we are to consolidate • that progress) should worthily be re- ’ cognised," continued Archbishop ' O’Shea. "In furtherance of this need the Catholic Church, in sponsoring the Eucharistic Congress, would make a ’ striking contribution to the New Zea- | land Centennial celebrations. The Church throughout New Zealand’s his- ( tory has played its part, working in harmony with the State, in the build- , ing of the nation. It no less desired to offer its co-operation now that the . country celebrated the achievements of the first century of its existence. The congress represented the principal contribution of the Catholic Church to tho ,present fitting recognition of the Centennial, but only secondary in importance was her participation in the Exhibition in the form of the Catholic pavilion. Two Years’ Preparation. Only one intimately associated with the organisation of such a congress could appreciate tho tremendous amount of work entailed. For nearly two years, preparations had been in hand. He had returned comparatively recently from a world tour with the mission primarily of obtaining the great favour from the Holy See of a personal representative of his Holiness —a Papal Legate. Tho late Pontiff, Pope Pius XI, readily and graciously < bestowed this, the highest honour it was in his power to confer upon the ; Church in this or in any land, and his i successor, Pope Pius XII, confirmed the decision.

It was the intention of his Holiness, but for the disturbed international situation, to honour New Zealand by the sending of a Prince of the Church to represent him, but with the outbreak of war such a desire was impossible of fulfilment. His Holiness, nevertheless, had graciously granted to New Zealand a Legate invested with the same powers for the occasion as a cardinal in the person of his Excellency, Archbishop Panico. His Holiness has thus gone to unprecedented lengths in his manifest desire to give not only New Zealand, but the world, the fullest blessings of a Eucharistic Congress in a year fraught with momentous possibilities for mankind. Position of Legate. Since the signing of tho Lateran Treaty in 1929, the Pope enjoyod tho temporal sovereignty, being sovereign of the tiny State of Vatican City. Subject to no civil authority on earth, but a king in his own right, he was able to give univided attention to his august office. Diplomatic representatives of many nations, including Great Britain, were accredited to him. In consequence, a legato was representative not merely of the Pope in his spiritual authority, but was the representative of a recognised temporal sovereign. Such a legato received, as of right, all diplomatic privileges. To gain a parallel, his position was akin to that of tho Governor-Gicneral of a British Dominion in his capacity as a Viceroy. Tho effect of the Lateran Treaty was made manifest in the diplomatic privileges accorded by the British Government to the representatives tff the Pope on the occasion of the Coronation of Their Majesties, the King and Queen, in London in 1937. Hobson Street Residence.

It would thus readily bo appreciated that the fitting reception of the Papal Legato in February had greatly increased the responsibilities of the or-*

J \ ganisers of the congress. It was cus- ' tomary that one appointed ot the high office of legate should have his own k special residence, which then took rank 1 as an embassy. In this instance the problem of providing a suitable residence had been obviated by the gracious offer made to him by Mr. and Mrs. lan Duncan, in virtue of which their home in Hobson Street, would become the official residence of the Papal Legate. Accompanied by his suite, including the Eight Kev. Monsignor King, 0.8. E., and Dean Crowley, of } Sydney, his Excellency would take up residence on his arrival on January 23, and would almost immediately, as the k representative of a King, pay his official 1 call upon his Excellency, the Governor--3 General. In his residence, the legate would 3 have his own private chapel and would * also have means of fulfilling official 3 formalities associated with the represen--1 tative role that he fills. “I am indebt- ' ed to Mr. and Mrs. Duncan, who have * thus ensured that the personal repre- ' sentativo of the Pope will be accord--1 ed the dignity and the hospitality in ■ keeping with his high office,” said » Archbishop O ’Shea. 1 Preparations were now far advanced : for the opening of the congress. Every 1 effort was being made to ensure that in its external setting this great event would be worthy to rank with other centennial assemblages of Dominionwide interest. Many Phases of Congress. The notable changes that were being carried out the direction of the buildings and grounds committee on the congress site at St. Patrick’s Collegehad greatly quickened interest in the congress. The preparatory work of this committee was typical of that being done by the several committees which had been working just as steadily if less I publicly for many months past. There were, for instance, separate ■ committees responsible for the organ- * isation of the different activities of the men’s groups, the women’s groups, and of the school children in connection ( with the congress. Such multiple phases of the congress as were represented by the liturgy, music, lectures, receptions, precessions, Maori celebra- ( tions, entertainments, transport, accommodation, and publicity, were all 1 receiving attention from a special committee. Evidence was daily accumulating ( which indicated that the official congress organisers in Auckland (Rev. Dr. < Buxton), Christchurch (Rev. Dr. Keunedy), and Dunedin (Rev. Father J. Hally), had been working most efficiently. Throughout New Zealand there - were encouraging signs of an ever-grow- 1 ,ing interest. It was expected that with tho added attraction of the Centennial * Exhibition, and notably of the Catholic Pavilion, many thousands of Catholics would be coming to Wellington for the first week in February. “Thus,” concluded his Grace, “the stage is being prepSred for a truly outstanding event in tho Catholic, and - indeed in the religious life of New Zealand as a whole. May the fruit of the - congress be the fulfilment of the Pope ’a • words, that ‘reserves of strength’ will come, not merely to this country, but : to the lands that lie far beyond our shores. ’ ’ Official Programme. The official programme for the congress is:— Wednesday, January 31: 8 p.m., reception for congress members at National Art Gallery. Thursday, February 1: 11 a.nr., Pontificial High Mass, St. Patrick’s College ground; 2 p.m., meeting of Missionary Union of tho Clergy; 4 p.m., Priests’ Eucharistic Hour; S p.m., men’s night.

Friday, February 2: Children’s morning; 11 a.m., Pontilicial High Mass, St. Patrick’s Collego ground; 3 p.m., unveiling of monument to the late Archbishop Redwood at Karori Cemetery; S p.m., Maori concert, Town Hal], Saturday, February 3: Women’s morning; 9 a.m., Pontilicial High Mass for Religious, St. Mary of tho Angels, Boulcott Street; 11 a.m., rontificial High Mass, St, Patrick’s College

ground; 2 p.m., garden party, Sacred Heart Convent, Island Bay; 8 p.m., Youth Pageant, Town Hall. Sunday, February 4: 7.30 a.m., Low Mass, General Communion, Holy Name Society, St. Patrick’s College ground; 11 a.m., Pontilicial High Mass, St. Patrick’s College ground; 2.30 p.m.. Procession of Blessed Sacra,ment. Monday, February 5: Maori celebra tions at Otaki.