COLOUR AND SOLEMNITY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 450, 4 September 1928, Page 13

COLOUR AND SOLEMNITY

WELCOME TO PAPAL LEGATE

MAGNIFICENT SCENE: MEMORIES RECALLED

(THE SUN'S Special Representative)

AT ttigty-tt -- SYDNEY, August 30. UIHOUGH it seats 6,000 people, St. Mary’s Cathedral was packed to its doors to-day when his Eminence Cardinal Cerretti, the Papal Legate to the XXIXth International Eucharistic Congress, was welcomed on behalf of the hierarchy, the clergy and laity of Australia by his Grace the Archbishop of Sydney (Dr. Kelly). It was primarily an ecclesiastical day, and so many were the official visitors that invitations had to be strictly limited. Picturesque figures like the handsome Bishop of Hawaii, or-the full-blooded native bishop of India, the Syrian Vicar-General, or Prince du Croy of Belgium, were lost in a miscellany of notabilities from every country in the world.

The address of welcome was delivered by Archbishop Kelly. He said that their happiness in having been accepted by the Holy See as capable and worthy hosts of the XXIXth International Eucharistic Congress was enhanced by the fact that His Eminence had been chosen to preside over its celebration. His return to Australia, said the archbishop, revived the sense of confidence which led them to regret his recall to Rome. Almost 12 years had elapsed since then, and they had been spent by his Eminence entirely in distinguished services for the Holy Father. With a three-fold joy they hailed his return: firstly as one especially interested in their country; secondly as an honoured member of the Sacred College of Cardinals; and thirdly, as Papal Legate, presiding over their International Congress, in the name of the Divinely appointed Vicar of their Divine Lord and King of Kings. “The second century was but just beginning since the Catholic faith was proscribed in Australia, and a Catholic missionary deported,” said Archbishop Kelly. “Yet their directory gave the following summaries;—Catholic population in Australia and New Zealand, 1,358,123; dioceses gnd vicariates, 32; parishes, 1,007; churches, 2,599; seminaries, 11; schools, 2,267; charitable institutions, 142; priests, 1,854; religious brothers, 903; religious sisters, 9,773.

“So to-day we may happily welcome in our completed cathedral representative catholics from all parts of the globe, and from every nation under the sun. May all our thoughts, words, functions and ceremonies tend to the greater glory of the Eternal Deity, to the sanctification of each individual, and to the peace of society, here and everywhere. “We bid 1 Your Eminence thrice welcome, and we implore the blessing of the Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Pius Xlth, successor of St. Peter and Vicar of Christ,” concluded the archbishop. OLD MEMORIES RETURN Attended by Monsignor Peoples, of the Cathedral, the Cardinal entered the pulpit, against which a sandstone pillar emphasised the glow of crimson robes. The lights caught the scintillating diamonds, which framed the beautiful square-cut sapphire of his ring, as he raised his hand in greeting before commencing his address. He made few, but very telling gestures . . . His golden voice rang out through the vast nave, every word bell-like in its clearness. He said he was glad to be back in Sydney, and he looked it. “To-day old memories come back to me,” he said. “Thirteen years ago I came to Sydney, practically unknown to you all. I had no recommendation save one, namely, that I was sent among you by the Holy Father as his representative. Straightaway you took me to your hearts, and while life remains with me, I can never fox-get the spontaneous demonstration of affection and esteem shown to me, a stranger, simply because I was the delegate of the Holy Father. It was an unforgettable demonstration or the profound loyalty of the hierarchy and the priests and people of this

great country, for their spiritual head. “When I left Australia I entertained no hope of returning, and you cannot conceive the joy that entered my heart when the Holy Father selected me as his legate for the International Eucharistic Congress. To-day, on my return to you I find the same kindhearted prelates, the same generous priests, and the same thoroughly good people. It is all the more pleasing to me to enter this glorious temple of God with you. inasmuch as, thanks to the unceasing energy of your Grace, and thanks to the generosity of your people, we are able to see it completed to-day and to admire it in all its beauty.

To you, my Lord Archbishop, I offer our most cordial congratulations. The untiring perseverance with which you have pursued this objee}:, the burning zeal with which you have inspired your helpers, and the generosity of its people, are crowned in the triumph of to-day. Your long episcopate, which we earnestly pray will be prolonged for many years, has been rich m many and splendid achievements, but even if you had only* completed this majestic cathedral and organised the celebration of the International Eucharistic Congress, your name would have been inscribed among the most glorious in fhe history of the Church of the Southern Hemisphere, and would be held in benediction by generations, present and future. Nothing will make me regard as a mere coincidence that the completion of St. Mary’s should synchronise your first International Eucharistic Congress.

PAPAL BLESSING “It seems rather to be in accordance with an ordered Providential plan that so sublime a shrine for the God of the Eucharist should be ready to receive Him after His triumphal procession through Sydney, when the gates will bg lifted up and the King of Glory will enter in. And Providence has also chosen the man who should fulfil its admirable plans, and that man is yourself, my Lord Archbishop. “I am more than pleased to have been selected by the Holy Father as his Legate, and to represent his august person on these two solemn occasions, and to convey to you, my Lord to the whole hierarchy, to the clergy and people, his heartfelt congratulations and paternal blessings. I am especially commissioned by him to assure you that he will be here in your midst these memorable days, not only in my humble person, but also with liis constant thought and his coustant prayers.

“‘Tell my far-distant, but mostbeloved, children in Australia,’ he said, ‘that I shall follow the progress of the Congress day by day, and I shall rejoice with them for tne glory that will redound to the Sacred Host, and for the graces which shall be showered down with such abundance on that beloved land and on its sons and daughters.’”

“His Holiness has shown in au exceptional way his lcve for his Australian children, and his ixaternal interest in this International Congress, by sending a delegtion of which I have the honour to be the leader, and composed of eminent prelates attached to his own pex-son and sei-vice,” said the Cardinal. “Among them is one who, more than any other person, is ever at his side—his own Master of the Pontifical Household. He bears on behalf of his Holiness a precious gift, destined to record for all time this unique, celebration.” His Eminence concluded by again thanking the Archbishop of Sydney, the hierarchy of Australia and the priesthood and laity for their wonderful demonstrations of kindness which would ever remain engraved in his heart, and whose memories would be cherished among the dearest of liis life.