DIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 31, 30 July 1903, Page 1 (Supplement)

DIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From our own correspondent.) July 26. On receipt of the news announcing the death of his Holiness Pope Leo XIII his Grace the Archbishop directed that the beils of the three churches to be tolled for an houi, and the following telegram was sent to the priests of the archdiocese : ' Pope dead. Toll bells for one hour Celebrate Solemn Requiem Mass as soon as possible.' His Grace also forwarded a cablegram of condolence to Cardinal Rampolla, Secretary of State from the hieiarchy, clergy, and laity of New Zealand.' The following letter was received from the Premier by his Grace :—

4 Dear Archbishop Redwood,— Though not unexpected the grief of all our Catholic colonists will be none the less for the loss they and their Church have sustained by the death of his Holiness Pope Leo XIII. He has now passed away full of years and honor, deeply regretted by those of his own faith, revered and admired for his Christian qualities by all classes and creeds ; and yourself, the clergy and Catholics of this Colony have my sincere and heartfelt sympathy. Through his Excellency the Governor to the Secretary ot State our sympathy has been conveyed to the Papal authorities at Rome ' The children's Requiem Masses for the repose of the soul of the late Pope Leo XIII. were celebrated at the Church of the Sacred Heart by Very Rev. Father Lewis V G., on Thursday morning, and at St. Joseph's Church by Rev. Father Moloney. At the former the sanctuary and pillars m the body of the church were heavily draped. The Very Rev. Father Lewis preached on devotion to the souls in purgatory, and dwelt at length on the many virtues exhibited by the late Pontiff. At St. Joseph's, the altar was suitably draped. The Rev Father Kimbell addressed the children and spoke on the life of the late Pope The Rev. Father Kimbell also presided at the organ, and at the end of the Mass played the Dead March in ' Saul.' At both churches hymns appropriate to the occasion were sung by the children. His Grace the Archbishop, in the course of a circular letter to the clergy of the archdiocese, directed • 1 That, besides the High Mass of Requiem which I ordered, by telegraph, to be celebrated on the first possible day in all the parish churches of the archdiocese one, or more, Requiem Mass be said in every church and chapel of the said archdiocese. That, for nine days after the receipt of this letter, the 'De Profundis ' be said in English after every Mass and public service with any appropriate prayer which the clergy may think fit to add. That, to implore the Divine protection and guidance upon the conclave, in the election of the successor of Leo XIII., the Collect, etc., from the Mass of De Eligendo Summo Pontifice, Sede Vacante, be added to every Mass and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, until the news of the election reaches you. That a Solemn Pontifical High Mass of Requiem be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church, Wellington, on Tuesday, July 28, which all the clergy of the archdiocese, who can possibly come are invited and expected without fail to attend.' On receip-t of the news of the death of his Holiness the Pope the ' New Zealand Times ' printed an extra edition of the paper Both the morning and evening papers devoted the leading article and many columns of reading matter to the late Sovereign Pontiff Thirty men from the H.M.S. Phoebe ai tended Mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart on Sunday last The dedication by his Grace the Archbishop of the new organ at St Mary of the Angels' took place at the 11 o clock Mass on Sunday last. Solemn High Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Hills, with Rev Father Moloney deacon, Rev. Father McNamara sub-deacon and Yen. Archdeacon Devoy assistant priest. His Grace the Archbishop, Rev Father Holley (Thorndon), and Rev Father Kimbell were present in the sanctuary The choir sang a Mass composed in honor of Our Lady of Good Counsel by Victor Hammeril, and given on Sunday last for the first time in New Zealand. The solos were sung by Miss Hyde (soprano), Miss Kenny (contralto), Mr. Brook (tenor), and Mr. Seivers (bass), all of whom acquitted themselves admirably. Mr. D Kenny was organist. Signor Boffa led the orchestra and Mr P Oakes who conducted, arranged the orchestral parts of the Mass The subscriptions to the organ fund at both services amounted to £72 lls 3d. The new organ which was built by Mr. Arthur Hobday, of Wellington, is of two manuals, with a pedal clavier, there being 56 notes to each manual, and 30 notes to the pedals An electric motor is used to supply the wind power for the instrument. This is the first introduct'on in New Zealand of electric power for such purposes, and it has proved itself thoroughly effective. His Grace the Arch-

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