CATHOLIC MEN GATHER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 265, 30 January 1928, Page 14

CATHOLIC MEN GATHER

HOLY NAME SOCIETY RALLY ST. BENEDICT’S CHURCH FILLED An impressive demonstration of Catholic faith was made last evening, when St. Benedict’s Church was filled with men of the various parishes in the city and suburbs in the first Dominion rally of the Holy Name Society, and when the pledges given by members were renewed. The local branches of the society were fortunate in having the presence of the Very Rev. Father Powell, 0.P., the Provincial of the Dominican Order in Australia, who preached an inspiring sermon on “The Holy Name as a Witness to the Divinity of Christ," and who imbued the big congregation with the correct spirit for a worthy renewal of their society pledges. The pledge includes the followi\r articles: "I pledge myself against pex'jury, blasphemy, profanity and obscene speech. I pledge my loyalty to the flag of my country, and to the God-given principles of freedom, justice and happiness for which it stands. I pledge my support to all lawful authority, both civil and religious." It is hardly a year since the first branch of the Holy Name Society was formed in Auckland, and the progress of the membership has been extremely gratifying, as was demonstrated in the manifestation of devotion last evening. In other parts of the world the membership is counted in tens of thousands, and in the United States alone there are nearly a. million members. The objects of the society are the maintenance and increase of men’s faith in the Divinity of the Saviour, to promote respect and hemour for His Holy Name, and to encourage respect for authority, civil and religious. The excellent congregational singing was a feature of the serviefe, '’.