THE MARIST ORDER.

Shannon News, 3 May 1929, Page 4

THE MARIST ORDER.

REV. DR. RIEU WARMLY RECEIVED IN OTAKI.

The Catholics of Otaki, and a large number of Natives, congregated at the court yard at . the Church yesterday

for the purpose of according a welcome to the Rev. Dr. Rieu, Superior- " -General of the Marist Order, and a recent arrival from Rome. The grounds were decorated with flags while the school children were arranged as a guard of honour from the main gates to the meeting-house. Punctually at the time appointed the distinguished visitor from over-seas, accompanied by the Rev. Father Moran, and the Rev. Father Devoy, arrived, and was met by the Rev. Father Reardon, Parish ... priest, the Rev. Father Melu, Rev. Father O’Shaugbhcssy, and Rev. Father Butler. The former was arrayed in a Maori mat and with the visitors marched to the court-yard, being welcomed en ( youte by a number, of Natives who were 4 most enthusiastic. Mr. Pokaitara, a well-known Native (through Mr. Pirimi Tahiwi, interpreter), addressed the visitors, and in doing so accorded them a very hearty welcome on behalf of both Natives and Europeans. In extending to them the welcome the speaker emphasised the fact that the Rev. Dr. Rieu had come all the way from Rome to see his peo; ple on this side of the world; ho had come across the seas from tlie land ot their people, and it was pleasing to see him there. It was the desire of those assembled to pay'homage to such I a . distinguished visitor, and to i give 1 him a hearty as well as a warm; wel- . come. The good work of the Rev. Dr. Rieu. had spread, and ho trusted that God -would spare him so thac he could continue the good work and help the people here to do likewise. As head of the Marist Order throughout the world he welcomed *him as the head of the people here. Welcome, he said, as the representative of o.ur friends from overseas, you bring peace, comfort, and gl,ory; may you always supervise the work .to be done by our people. Tot day, said the speaker, they also commemorated the deeds of the brave 1 heroes who died that we might have freedom. They grieved for those who died for their King and country, but rejoiced in the fact that peace ; now Signed. The speaker, in conclusion,. ngaih-tAyglcomed the Rev. Dr. Rieu and prayed blessing would be bestowed upon-hinn2(Applause). Mr. Rota Rawiri also extended a warm- welcome to the visitors, especially piebtioning the Rev. Dr. Rieu. He stated that all had gathered together to pay their respects to him, to: one whom they looked upon as a great friend. Welcome to you, Dr. Rieu, he said, and welcome to our friends from Wellington.' The Ngatiraukawas, he added, were proud to join in the reception and to join with Dr. Rieu in establishing a memorial to his people. Welcome, Dr. Rieu, to this our court yard, he said, a hearty welcome to,one who had come across the seas, and from Rome to see iis all. You bring with you love that it may be spread among all; welcome to Otaki. The speaker stated that words could not express the joy and gratification that was in their hearts at having such a ■ distinguished visitor in their midst. They rejoiced to see him there and he hoped that when Dr. Rieu returned to Rome he would" take his greetings to friends there. Mr. Rawiri mentioned that he was probably, the only one present that, had;.met John Comte, who had jbeebscon' a trip to New Zealand 1 many years ago and the first priest in Otaki. Dr. Rieu had also come from the land of another beloved friend, the Rev, Father DeLach, who had done much good work in Otaki. Seeing the Rev. Father in their midst brought back happy recollections of years gone. r by, it brought back vivid recoD lections of Father DeLach. Mr. Rawiri expressed his pleasure at having Dr. ■ Rieu in their midst as he was there to do good, therefore they rejoiced, and he thanked him for good already done, of Scones and Pikelets, to be made the In conclusion he thanked Dr. Rieb for the honour he had paid to Otaki by his ! presence, and this, he said, would be cherished by tbe people here. They Would always look upon the visit with pleasure and regard Dr. Rieu as one of themselves. (Applaus’e).

•After a haka of welcome Mr. Kipa Roera endorsed the remarks of previous speakers, and thanked the Rev. Dr. Rieu for his visit to Otaki. Ho thanked the heads for sending to Otaki a great chief. Mr. Roera, in referring to the visit of Bishop Benne'tt, stated that that gentleman regretted that he could not be present to take part in the welcome. On behalf of other Churches Mr. Roera expressed goodwill, and extended to the Rev. Father a very bearty welcome. Welcome, he said, to our home where the first seed of Christianity was sown, and which was the means of . bringing peace among our people. To-day they saw the fruit derived from the seed sown; there were branches everywhere, and the good that had come from it was great. To-day both the Maoris and Pakehas had their ehurehes showing the effect of the gospel, and evidence of the goodwill between the two races. They had the two churches but the Maori and Pakeha weref as the dtr'e race. Mr. Roera, amidst applause, then extended a further greeting to the visitors.

The Rev. Father Reardon extended a hearty welcome to the Rev. Dr. Rieu and the Rev. Father Moran, and said it gave him great pleasure at having such visitors present. To Dr. Rieu, as head of the Marist Order, he had pleasure, he ) said, in extending a loyal and cordial welcome, and their minds went tack to theHimfj when there were no Toads or even a track, with difficulties innumerable, but since then true faith had been spread by the Church, and the altar of false gods thrown down and salvation spread to those who sat?

in darkness. We extend, to you, said Father Reardon, a very loyal welcome and we all express joy at seeing' you. It was now fll years since the first Marist arrived in New Zealand, and he hoped that Dr. Rieu’s coming would be a great benefit to the Maoris. It was right that he should be their chief, and he looked to him to revive the Maori missions. There were but few workers and he hoped more would be granted. There were times, said Fatuer Reardon, when one's heart was too full for words and this occasion was one. Dr. Rieu could rest assured, he added, that they were true Catholics and as such they welcomed him. He had pleasure also in extending a warm welcome to Father Devoy, their parish priest. (Applause).

The Rev. Dr. Rieu said that he was very grateful for . the welcome, and stated that he felt, deeply impressed by the kind words uttered. He also expressed pleasure to know that Father DeLach had not been forgotten, and he thanked them for the recollection of a. friend he knew so well. He was glad to know that they cherished memories of old Fathers' who were oned 1 here, and was pleased to know that the Maoris and Pakehas were as one family. The Rev. Dr. Rieu expressed his heartfelt thanks to all the Maoris, to the Catholics, and to the Anglicans for their welcome. He came from Rome where the Pope was living; the Pope knew of. the Maori people, and when he (the speaker) returned he would speak to the Pope of them all. The Rev. Father then made reference to the day as Anzac Day, and in conclusion said that he was very happy to be with his Maori people, and said that he would never forget them; he would always hold them dear in his memory. He prayed to God to bless them all and to give them prosperity. (Applause).

The Rev. Reardon then invited all present to partake of luncheon. A large number availed themselves of the opportunity and partook of a very fine spread.

In the. afternoon the Maori maidens gave two exhibitions of the poi dance, and also a Maori haka. The Rev. Dr. Rieu was presented with two handsome Maori mats and a staff, wbii later the Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament followed. The Rev. Dr. Rieu and Rev. Father Moran stayed overnight in Otaki and left for Highden this morning. The Rev. Dr. Rieu and his secretary. Rev. Father Moran, are visiting all the Marist Houses in New Zealand,Australia, and the Pacific Islands. The Vollowing is the history of Otaki: This mission station was founded by Iff. Comte in 1844. For ten years he made Otaki his headquarters, and during that period he ministered to the Maoris--who in those days were settled in large numbers all along the coast between Wellington and Wanganui. .From 1854-85 this chain of stations was Visited periodically by various inissionurics of whom we might make special Mention of Fathers Seon, Petitjcan, lltcrtuis and Moreau.

The present convent, presbytery and school were opened in April, 1894. On December 30th of the same year the golden jubilee of the mission was.celebrated with befitting solemnity. A huge commemorative cross was erected bn the summit of the historic hill bPukekaraka) close by the present station, near the site of the old church in which Fr. Comte officiated. The actual site itself has been suitably enclosed and set apart as a cemetery tor priests and brothers belonging to the, Fr. Cognet and Brother (Stanislaus are buried there. A little iower down stands a carved house on the site where Fr. Comte had his poor tittle hut. The imposing Loudres Grotto was erected in 1913 and blessed t>n Christmas Day. On the same day the magnificent statue of St. Peter, erected by the Maoris as a tribute of flove and fidelity, was blessed. It litands in a commanding position overlooking the whole mission station. In (April, 1925, the huge Cross was trans-' formed into a Calvary to commemorate the Catholic pupils of Blessed Chanel’s school, Pukekaraka, who felJ In the great war. In March, 1926, llrchbish'op Redwood blessed a set of •jut-door Stations of the Cross (in (narble), the first of its kind in New Eealand. These begin at the foot of the hill and are placed at convenient intervals, reaching the Calvary.on the fcummit.