FUNERAL OF THE LATE MONSIGNOR MCDONALD.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2, 11 January 1900, Page 5

FUNERAL OF THE LATE MONSIGNOR MCDONALD.

AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE.

(From our Auckland correspondent.)

THE funeral of the late Very Rev. Monsiprnor McDonald took place on Wednesday, the remains being interred in the Catholio cemetery at Panmure. The funeral cortege waa the largest eeen in Auckland for many years, the attendance of mourners giving striking testimony of the love and esteem in which the deceased priest was held by people of all creeds and claeßes in the community. The remains lay in state in the Panmure Catholio church until Tuesday evening, when they were brought to St. Patrick's Cathedral. The body was received at the Cathedral entrance by the Very Rev. Dean O'Reilly, the Very Rev. Dr. Egan, 0.5.8., and Fathers Eeogh, Mahoney, Buckley, Brodie, Darby, and Kamp. The casket containing the remains was placed near the high altar, and the office for the dead was solemnly chanted by the clergy. After the service the congregation, whioh completely filled the church, were allowed a last look at the face they knew and loved so well before the coffin was closed down. The remains were watched through the night. On Wednesday morning a Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral, commencing at eight o'clock. There was a very large congregation. Amongst those present were his Worship the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. P. Dignan (ex-Mayor), and several members of the City Council. The Very Rev. Dean O'Reilly was celebrant of the Mass, Rev. Father Mahoney acted as deacon, and Rev. Father Kamp, of St. Benedict's, as sub-deacon ; Rev. Father Gillan, of St. Benedict's, was master of ceremonies. There were also present in the sanctuary Very Rev. Monsignor Paul, V.G., Very Rev. Father Hackett, Fathers Golden, Purton, Buckley, P. J. O'Hara. In the choir were the Very Rev. Dr. Egan, 0.5.8. (conductor), who also officiated as organist, Fathers Kehoe, Mandolini, 0.5.8., Ahearn, Brodie, and Darby. At the conclusion of the Mass the Rev. Father Gillan briefly addressed the congregation, referring to the good that had been done amongst them by him whoße body was laid before the altar, where so often he offered the Holy Sacrifice for them, and asking them to remember the deceased in their prayers. The coffin was then carried down the church and placed in the hearse. The coffin was of polished kauri, handsomely mounted with brass, and bore the following inscription : ' Monsignor Walter McDonald, died December 31, 1899 ; aged 69. Requiescat in pace? The body was robed in vestments, presented to Father Walter by the late Archbishop Steins. At a little after ten o'clock the funeral procession started from the Cathedral, proceeding along Albert street, Customs street west, into Queen street, and thence on to Panmure. Monsignor M 'Donald having been chaplain to the Auckland military forces, a military funeral was accorded to his remains. The funeral procession was quite a mile in length, and contained a long line of about 120 carriages and some 50 or more vehicles of other kinds. It was headed by a firing party of the Devonport Navals, who marched with arms reversed, under the command of Captain Parker. The Garrison Band followed, and along the route discoursed the ' Dead March ' from ' Saul ' and the solemn airs, such as 'The Final Halt,' appropriate to military funerals. Next in order came Bishop Lenihan's carriage, with Father Purton, his Lordship having cabled instructions that he was to be represented at the funeral. Other carriages followed bearing Very Rev. Dean O'Reilly, Very Rev. Father Hackett (Paeroa), Very Rev. Dr. Egan, Father Mandolini (Hamilton), Fathers Kehoe, Buckley, Paul, Golden, Ahearn, O'Hara, Kamp, Mahoney (Thamej), and Gillan. The pall-bearers were Lieut-Colonel Banks, Brigadier-Surgeon Lieut.-Colonel Dawson ; Captain Grant, District Ad jut nt ; Captain Parker, Devonport Torpedo Corps ; Captain C. T. Major, College Rifles ; and Captain Myers, Newton Rifles. Following the hearse marched as many of the volunteers as could get away from bufriness for the occasion. Four carriages were occupied by the Sisters of Mercy, the other carriages being occupied by many of the leading citizens. The New Zealand districts of the H.A.C.B. Society were represented by the executive : District president (Mr J. Patterson), district vice-president (Bro. D O'Sullivan), past district president (Bro. P. J. Nerheny), secretary (Bro. W. Kane), treasurer (Bro. M. J. Sheahan). In the cortege were : Rabbi Goldstein, Hon. J. A. Tole (Crown Prosecutor), Mr W. J. Napier, M.H.R. (chairman of Harbour Board), Mr E. Ford (secretary of New Zealand Natives' Association, with members) ; the Newton Band, of which deceased waß patron, was represented by Secretary Edmonds, Treasurer Harding, and Drum-major Robinson. At Ellerslie as the procession passed through the Union Jack was half-mast, and at the entrance of Panmure Colonel Dawson (chairman), and Mr. Carter (seoretary), of the Mount Wellington Road Board, joined in, as well as a large number of the country settlers from far and near. The children of the Catholio Panmure Sunday -fchool also met the procession, and Father Walter's horse was led into its place, with saddle, and saddle-cloth and whip. At the service at the cemetery, whioh was conducted by the Very Rev. Dean O'Reilly, the clergy chanted the • Benediotus,' followed by the usual prayers by the Very Rev. Dean O'Reilly, who also delivered an address referring to the life and labours of the deceased clergyman, dwelling particularly on his zeal and faithfulness in the performance of his duties. When one remembered the state of Monaignor's health upon that fatal Sunday when he, heroically, it might be said, celebrated two Masses, at places over five miles apart, and he would tell his Protestant friends that the sacred functions of a Catholio priest must be performed while fasting, it may easily be seen under what trying oiroumstances Father Walter

stnok to his poet to the very last. There was an old saying, « To know a man yon had got to live with him.' Well, he (the speaker) had lived with Father Walter for three yean, and also with his brother, the late Very Rev. Jas. MoDonald, V.Q., and the affection between these two brothers was beyond the love of brothers. The speaker also alluded to the unselfishneiss of Father Walter's character, and his zeal for the service of God and the salvation of soule. He expressed his gratification at seeing so many settlers from the neighbouring districts — non-Catholics — who were present to manifest their respect and affection for the deceased priest. Truly the Scripture might be appropriately applied to him, 'Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.' He was very muoh struck by an expression Father Walter made nse of on the Sunday when he visited him, and suggested to him that he should procure medical advice, ' I will be all right in a day or two.' This was verified in a few hours, for they had reason to believe that his soul was all right in the sight of God, and that he had already received the reward of his labours in the eternal kingdom. After the singing of a hymn by the children, the party of Navals fired farewell volleys over the departed, whioh were given with splendid precision, and the earth closed over all that was mortal of Father Walter MoDonald. Many persona at the burial service were affected to tears. (By telegraph, from our Auckland correspondent.) Very Rev. Dean O'Reilly received the following telegram from the Premier :— ■• I am exceedingly shocked and deeply grieved to hear of the death of my dear old friend, Father Walter, and feel his loss all the more because it was so sudden. I know his other friends will join with me in tendering our sincere sympathy in the loss you have all sustained.' Archbishop Redwood aluo telegraphed to Dean O'Reilly from Nelson the expression of his deep regret at the demise of Monsignor McDonald. The eleven o'clock Mass on Sunday last in the Cathedral was sung by the Rev. Father Patterson. He preached on death, and in the course of his sermon said of the late Monsignor McDonald that his sad and lamentable demise had left a gap in the Auckland diocese that oould not be easily filled. His priestly life was one of great sanctity and benevolence ; his brother priests dearly loved such a noble and self-denying ecclesiastic. He was a perfect Irish gentleman, and spent himself and was spent for the good of his fellows. He was gentle and kind with all — a real soggarth aroon. He was admirable in his charity. The poor had lost in him a true friend and father. A few days (said the rev. preaoher) have scarcely elapsed since you had borne away through the aisles of this cathedral the precious mortal remains of one who has spent a life of usefulness and honour to the Church he loved so much. Your children, too, have lost a fond father. Members of other denominations and non-Catholic clergymen have shown by their eulogies from their pulpits their high esteem of one whom they revered and respected for his geniality and kindness, and regarded as a true man of God. We are left to regard the loss of a true friend and the termination of a career which was full of usefulness and zeal for the salvation of souls. The rev. preacher exhorted his hearers to pray for their late good pastor, for (said he) as the sun has its spots, so the soul that has fled may require prayers from you whom he loved so much in life. The peroration of the sermon brought tears .to the eyes of many of the con* gregation. A widespread desire is being expressed that a fitting publio memorial should be undertaken to the late Monsignor McDonald.