BISHOP LENIHAN AT VALLADOLID.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 1, 4 January 1900, Page 5

BISHOP LENIHAN AT VALLADOLID.

Two weeks ago there appeared in our columns, from our Auckland correspondent, a report of B'shop Lenihan's visit to his old Alma Mater at Valladolid (Spain). The following more detailed account of his Lordship's journey thither will be read with interest by his many friends in New Zealand. It is from the special correspondent of the Catholic Times of November 17 : —

As we briefly stated last week, the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan (Bishop of Auckland, N.Z.). accompanied by his former class-fellow, Father Lennon of Biundellsands, has been paying a formal visit to his Alma Mater al Valladolid. Travelling overland through France, they made their way to Lourdes, where the privilege of celebrating Mass at the Silver Altar in the Grotto was graciously accorded them.

At Pau they were heartily welcomed by the Rev. Father Tuckwell, the English Confessor in that beautiful health resort. On Saturday, October 28, his Lordship presided, by delegation of the Bishop of Bayonne, at the reception of two postulants in the Ursnline Convent, a ceremony described in a former issue, and on Sunday morning he offered the Holy Sacrifice in the convent church. Making their way to the Spanish frontier, his Lordship and Father Lennon arrived at Valladolid on Monday morning. The venerable rector, Mgr. Allen, met them with a warm welcome at the station, and after a slight rest at the English College. escorted them to the Palace of the Cardinal-Archbishop and the residence of the Bishop-Auxiliary, by whom they were cordially received.

The great improvements and additions recently effected in the time-honoured college of St. Alban's were the subject of most laudatory comment. Besides the complete installation of the electric light, the new dormitories, exhibition hall, billiard room, lavatories, etc., several minor arrangements for the comfort of the students in the garden and recreation grounds surprised and greatly pleased the visitors. Their expressions of admiration and congratulation were heightened when, on visiting the country house, they found the former rural dwelling-place transformed into a complete suburban collegiate, adorned with a handsome new capilla built of pressed brick in the Roman style, with ample accommodation for the students, as also for the farm servants and labourers on the college estates. Here, too, has been erected a shady covered resort, affording protection against the prevailing winds as well as the strong rays of the Iberian sun. Everywhere the appointments are commodious and comfortable, showing the wise and fatherly consideration of the good rector at a time when, owing to war taxes and unfavourable seasons, money must be scarce. At the close of the vacations the annual retreat by desire of the rector was conducted by Father Lennon, concluding on the Feast of All Saints. On Saturday, November 4th, the Feast of St. Charles, the rector's patron, Bishop Lenihan celebrated Pontifical High Masb in the college chapel, assisted by the priests from the Scots College in the city. In the sermon preached by Father Lennon at the Gospel reference was made to the fact that the Right Rev. Mgr. Allen, who sat in State in the sanctuary, was the first rector in 300 years who bad ever witnessed one of his own alumni pontificating at that altar. A banquet to the guests and visitors, with appropriate and affectionate felicitations to the Lord Bishop of Auckland, concluded a unique day in the college annals.

On a later occasion the students entertained a large company with a concert and operetta in the new hall, and at an interval presented a handsomely illuminated address of welcome and a •valuable rochet to their diatinguised Albanian Bishop. His Lordship replied in feeling terms with an expression of his great indebtedness to their kind and estimable rector. That evening Dr. Lenihan and his reverend companion left for England, but the Bishop's portrait in his robes, painted at the expense of the rector, hangs in the dining hall to commemorate the name and character of one of St. AlbanY greatest sons.