“Triumph of Faith”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 516, 20 November 1928, Page 12

“Triumph of Faith”

CARDINAL TALKS OF CONGRESS Stone Laid at Mater Hospital INSPIRING SCENES AT OFFICIAL WELCOME THE visit to Auckland yesterday of Cardinal Bonaventure Cerretti, Papal Emissary to the Eucharistic Congress at Sydney, was marked by an inspiring demonstration of Catholic faith, and of affection-for his Holiness Pope Pius XI., as well as a display of warm personal friendship for the Cardinal himself, who visits New Zealand for the second time. In his address last evening, Cardinal Cerretti said the Eucharistic Congress at Sydney was the greatest triumph of Catholic faith ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere. In the afternoon his Eminence laid the foundation stone of the new wing at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital.

The magnificence of the view from the hospital grounds was enhanced by brilliant afternoon sunshine which glittered delightfully on the brightly ornate vestments of the Cardinal and the highly polished cross and candlesticks which the acolytes carried as they preceded the Cardinal and the other Church dignitaries around several thousand people and up to the platform, which was elaborately furnished for his reception. The crowd stood in respectful silence as the procession entered the enclosure, and gave the visiting Papal Legate a hearty round of applause as he took his seat on the platform. With him were Bishop Cleary, Archbishop of the Diocese, Bishop Liston, Archdeacon Holbrook (who acted as master of ceremonies), Monsignor Cahill, Vicar-General of the Diocese, and several other members of the clergy, laity and the medical profession. “MENDER OF FENCES” The bright green lawns at the rear of the hospital were covered by the crowd, and throughout the short programme of speeches, generous tribute was paid to the efficient nursing and devotion to duty of the Sisters of Mercy, under whose charge the Mate 1 ’ Hospital is conducted. Before ascending the short steps to the platform, the Cardinal blessed the foundation-stone and recited speciallyprepared prayers for the occasion. i Bishop Cleary recalled the previous visit of Cardinal Cerretti, and mentioned that in 1916, when he hart visited Roforua, a chief of the Arawa tribe of Maoris had greeted him: “Welcome among us. You will And 1 many holes in our fences, and you are the man to mend them.” The Apostolic delegate was here again tp mend the holes in the fences —to assist in the mending of the twisted, broken and worn bodies—to execute the work of the Divine Physician, who was Christ Himself. Cardinal Cerretti expressed genuine pleasure at his second visit to Auckland, and in addressing the gathering as friends, recalled that he had made many friends on the occasion of his i previous call here. Many of these, be expected, would be present this dav He regretted that Bishop Cleary had been unable to attend the congress in Sydney, on account of his motor accident, but rejoiced at this opportunity of visiting him at Auckland as he r<* turned to his home at Rome. TRIBUTE TO SOLDIERS The Cardinal paid a gracious tribute to the part which New Zealand played in the war, and said that when he was in Paris, as the repre sentative of the Vatican, he heard the personal tribute of Marshal Foch. who said that the New Zealand soldiers were not bettered among the Allied armies. He had pleasure In conveying to the people of New Zealand this impression. The Sisters of Mercy were highly praised by the Cardinal for their unselfish work on behalf of the sick. The spirit which he had seen in America and elsewhere was manifest in their work in Australia and New Zealan 1. Their record had been made through out the ages, and would live after them. He paid his personal tribute of appreciation to their untiring efforts, and also mentioned in terms of praise the work of the medical staff of the institution SWELLING THE FUND In a reference to New Zealand, the Cardinal said the people did not realise what a wonderful country they possessed. As commerce trans portatlon brought it into closer touch with the other countries in the world, more people would come here and spread further abroad its fame, for they could not help but gain impressions similar to those gained by himself in his two delightful visits to these shores. Bishop Liston spoke briefly upon Catholic Ideals and the unselfish work of the Sisters of Mercy, and short addresses of appreciation and encouragement were given by Dr. Garrick Robertson, Mr. Kenneth Mackenzie. Dr. Gunson and Dr. Maskell. Mr. J. J. O’Brien, on behalf of the laity, appealed for funds for the new institution, and announced that Bishop Cleary had donated £SOO, Bishop Liston £IOO, and Bishop Brodie, of Christchurch, £SO. A collection taken up later realised £2,584. Mr. William Wallace, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, added a generous tribttte to the work of the Sisters of Mercy, particularly at the time of the 1918 influenza epidemic. Special mention was made in the addresses of the work of the Rev. Mother Gonzaga and Sister Mary Agnes. The Cardinal and visitors were entertained at tea. MUSIC AND PAGEANTRY BRILLIANT RECEPTION AT CATHEDRAL For the official welcome to Cardinal Cerretti last evening St. Patrick’s Cathedral was a scene of solemn splendour. The huge building was packed with people, -who participated in the inspiring ceremony of Benediction and knelt devoutly to receive the Pope’s special blessing An address of welcome/t'rom the bishops, clergy and laity of the Auckland Diocese was presented to the Cardinal by Bishop Cleary. Long before the hour appointed for the ceremony the big cathedral was packed, and many people were compelled to listen outside to the broadcast of the proceedings. His Eminence Cardinal Cerretti entered the church preceded by over 20 priests of all parishes in the diocese, and acolytes bearing lighted candles,

and attended by Bishop Cleary' and other Church dignitaries. Then followed a body of Hibernians and men of the parish. For Benediction the altar was brilliantly lighted with flood lights and a multiplicity of candles, the white and gold decorations in the Sanctuary toning harmoniously with the vestments of his Eminence as he officiated at the ceremony. In the Sanctuary itself were the priests, acolytes and assistants. The inspiring Ecce Sacerdos and the solemn Te Deum preceded the official welcome ceremony, and the O Salutaris and Tantum Ergo of the Benediction were specially chosen by St. Patrick’s Choir. The atmosphere was one of holiness and devotion, and after the Cardinal had responded to the address of welcome, and had given the Papal blessing to the kneeling crowd, the tinkle of the sanctuary bell resounded melodiously through the high walls of the Cathedral, adding a note of inspiring dignity to the whole. CRADLE OF THE FAITH In his address Bishop Cleary referred to the Auckland Diocese as the cradle of Catholic faith in New Zealand, and said that the visit of Cardinal Cerretti in 1916 as the first Apostolic Delegate to these countries marked an event second only to the foundation of the Catholic Church on these shores. His visit on this occasion was a mere clasp of the hand in passing, but it would ever remain as one more precious jewel in the casket of happy memories of the Catholic people of New Zealand. The address thanked the Cardinal for his signal services to the Church, and added that the Catholic heart and soul of the people comprised the greatest asset which New Zealand possessed The Cardinal spoke of the hospitality he had received in New iSbaland. both in 1916 and yesterday. The ceremony that evening had equalled in its magnificence the functions which had been held in Sydney and other Australian cities during the Congress. He was not surprised, however, for he had been acquainted during his Australian visit with the devotion of the people in these lands of the Southern Cross to the Holy Father. He entertained the greatest admiration for the zeal of the people, and assured them that the Congress had proved to be the greatest event ever celebrated in the Southern Hemisphere. The results of this triumph of Fotholic faith would live forever. The Cardinal imparted the Pope’ special blessings, and said: “Mav it console you till you receive the blessing from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself when He will give you your reward in Heaven.” As the Cardinal and the procession left the Cathedral, Handel’s rousing “Hallelujah Chorus” was sung by the solo work of the evening Mrs. T. Monaghan revealed a pleasant soprano voice in Gounod’s “Ave Maria. and Miss J. Smith sang with credit Bizet’s “Agnus Dei.”