MOVING CEREMONY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 40, 17 February 1939, Page 8

MOVING CEREMONY

REQUIEM MASS FOR POPE HUGE WELLINGTON CONGREGATION REV. FATHER SPILLANE’S TRIBUTE | Pei Pre®* Association.] WELLINGTON, Feb. 16. About 2000 people, including the Governor - General's representative, ■ the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, Ministers of the Crown, members of the consular corps, members of Parliament and representative citizens were present at the celebration of the solemn Requiem Mass in the Church of St. Mary’s of the Angels for the repose of the soul of the late Pope Pius XI. The seating accommodation of the church was inadequate to accommodate the huge congregation and many were unable to gain admission. The celebrant was the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Connolly, administrator of the diocese, in the absence of Archbishop O'Shea. The deacon was Father J. • Joyce, the subdeacon Father F. Walllace. and the Master of Ceremonies Father A. Robinson. The sermon was preached by the Very Rev. Father J. S. Spillane. Superior of the Marist Mission Staff in New Zealand. In the course of his sermon the Rev. Father Spillane said: "As the 260th successor of St. Peter. Pius [xi for 17 years adorned his office with befitting dignity. He indeed ‘honoured the vesture of holiness when he put on the robes of glory and was clothed with the perfection of power.’ He fulfilled our claims for the papacy. claims exemplified throughout the long history of Christendom. May the dying words of Pius XT. ‘peace, peace,’ be as a balm lof healing to a world torn asunder Jby discord and strife. May they be las words of prophecy and hope. May |the sacrifice of his life for the peace .of the world bring peace and goodI will to all. not mere mutual toleraItion of men and nations, but the 'peace of Christ, ‘that peace which surpasseth understanding and which 'the world cannot give.’”