THOUSANDS HONOUR BLESSED SACRAMENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 341, 30 April 1928, Page 14

THOUSANDS HONOUR BLESSED SACRAMENT

CATHOLIC DEMONSTRATION One of the greatest Roman Catholic religious demonstrations ever held in New Zealand took place yesterday afternoon in the grounds of Sacred Heart College, when 13,000 people joined in a procession and ceremonies honouring the Blessed Sacrament. There were 3,000 people in the procession, and 7,000 participated in the devotions. The procession was held for the purpose of preparing Auckland congregations for the revival which will be associated with the International Eucharist Congress to be held in Sydney in September. The Blessed Sacrament was borne from the college chapel by Bishop Cleary, who was accompanied by Bishop Liston, Monsignor Cahill, Monsignor Ormond, and 25 priests. Flower girls scattered petals on the ground as the procession passed on its solemn way among the thronging crowd which bowed reverentially. A halt was made at a temporary altar where the Rosary was recited and Benediction given. There were 1,500 school children in the procession, 400 children of Mary and choirs from city and suburban churches. Many other religious societies, including the Hibernians and the newly-formed Holy Name Society, also joined in the procession. The principal of Sacred Heart College, the Rev. Brother Benignus, organised the procession and Archdeacon Holbrook was master of ceremonies.