THE CATHOLIC CONCRESS

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 44, 3 November 1904, Page 5

THE CATHOLIC CONCRESS

•* THE OPENING CEREMONIES

(From our own correspondent.) iMci bourne, October IX. Interest m the approaching Congress runs higher ami lii^iu-i the eagerness ot membeis has been uiamested Was week in a rush made on the oflice at the ( athedral Hall on its opening, on Monday morning wllmi badges weie issued to all who presented receipts signed by the general or local seuelaries The badges have been \ci> neatly produced, m shape something after the design ot a .Maltese eros--, Each bo, us the name of the particular member, and those of the piesident Most Rev Ui. fair, and the hon secietary, Dr \ L Kenny 'l'hey are made ot cardboard and in color' are of a gieenisli tint, beaimg in black leUeis the title and dates ot the Congress. Provision has been abundantly made tor peipctuating the memoiy ot the Congress by means ot the photogiaph art. The principal picture will be that ot me members in a body, which will be taken on luesdciy ioienoon, 23th mst, outside St. Patrick's Cathedial Smaller groups, \anously associated, will also be^ photographed Copies oi all will be obtainable. l'Ahibi Is and Papeis. Vn e\lubil oi special mleiest will be a collection of Bibles containing the earliest editions procurable. An appeal was made on Sunday in the se\eral churches by the dergv, requesting niembeis ot tlie Coiigregations'who had m then po .session lM;les of old-time publication to send them in 101 the occasion, so that they might go to me lease the numbei t.iat his (irace the Archbishop had alieady seemed Ihe signilicancc of this exhibition, will be evident, and it is unnecessary to dwell on it. OI ttie papeis to be lead not the least interesting should be that ot l)i De lim^menu, who, as I mentioned last weik, comes iiom New Guinea. '1 he scene ot the inissionaiv, labors ot this pi elate deiives a special mteiest just at piesent tr o m the terrible massacre that has recently been lepoited l tie locality concerned indeed, was in Gorman tern Lory, but the disposition of the mines can luudly be atlected by the particular flag under which the} live, and m one pait of the country as well as m another, the missioiiaiy must carry his life m hi.-, hand, A tact signi/icaut of the standing of the men. who, nevertheless, devote themselves to the wont ot these missions ot the Sacred Heart, may he moted in the selection ot one oi then number— Rev. Father Genoa hi— to serve at Home on the Biblical Commission appointed by the late Pope. A scholar ot such eminence does, indeed, descend m a dcgiee little, if anything, less than heioic, when he de\otes himselt, as in the case of which 1 speak, not only to instructing the mind ot the savage but even to personally tending his diseased body. The natives ot New Guinea are specially liable to sores and ukets which they expect the missionaries to handle and heal A paper of a diucieni kind but also of deep interest may be anticipated m that on the Gaelic re\i\al, lo be read by Dr' ,\. M. O'Donnell, who is an enthusiastic promoter of the movement in question. Such headway as the lcvival of the language has made in Melbourne is due to the Doctor's ertoits. And now that the movement is worldwide and louns an international bond, as witnessed, for example, the other day when the Pan-Celtic Congress was held at Carnarvon, and the Stone ot the Nation, lepiesentuig the six Celtic nationalities, was laid, theie are valid reasons to advance in support, of it. It seems at least lightly characteristic oi any hody claiming the name oi Celtic that one of their obieets should be the revival of the national language There is m Melbourne a body bearing the name ot The Celtic Clvb 1 and consistently filling the pllace suggested in their title, ot whuh also, by the way, Dr. O'Donnell is' a member and committee-man. The Club have recently moved then quarters to a position in Elizabeth street, facing St. Fiancis' Church, their whereabouts being notably proclaimed by the words, ' Cuidcachta na nGaedheal,' inscribed in gold letters, of; Irish type, on the front of the building above their looms. The rooms consist of a suite ot seven, and aie sufficiently spacious and convenient. There is a leading-room well supplied with newspapers and containing a glass case in which is a well chosen selection of books, those of a national character being prominent ; a fine billiard-room, with two excellent tables ; a card-room, and other snuggenes and accommodations. The official stafi' is— Mr, O'Sullivan, piesident ; Dr. Maloney, M.P., and Mr. J< Hughes, J.P., vice-presidents ; and Mr. R. F. Rice, secretary. That Gaelic good-fellowship, which may be taken as implied in the. Gaelic title of the Club, is a distinctive characteristic of the body has been made plain in

the fact that ail gentlemen in attendance at the Congress have been invited for the time being t o become, honorary members of the Club— of whose rooms they will have full use, finding there a thorough Celtic welcome. The invitation will, no doubt, be gladly accepted, and due appreciation will attend upon the advantages thus made available.

Melbourne, October 20 Although the General Communion or the Catholic Young Men's Society of Victoria, which took place at 8 a.m. in St. Patrick's Cathedral on Sunday, is not, properly speaking, to be included among the events of the Congress, it, nevertheless, may htly be mentioned in connection with them. The sight of the great building hlled with the united body of our Catholic youth was very beautiful. Three Masses were celebrated, respectively by his Grace the Archbishop at the high altar, the bishop of Rockhampton at the altar ot the Sacred Heart, and the Bishop of Arnndale at the altar of the Blessed Sacrament. Afterwards a breaklast was held in the Cathedral Hall. His Eminence Cardinal Moian, Archbishop Carr, and the visiting prelates were present. On Ufo conclusion of the meal a toast list appropriate to the occasion was proposed and duly honored, his Holiness the I'ope, coupled with the name of Cardinal Moran, taking precedence. ll'n> Eminence made an eloquent icspomhe. It will T\2 of particular g'nT Crest to' many leaders of the ' Tablet ' that one of the piincipal toasts, that of the visiting prelates and clergy, gracefully pioposed by one of the hon. secretaries, was in the hands of a gentleman who, tor many years, took an actnc and useful part in Catholic movements in Dunedin, namely Mr. X A. Dunne. The Bishops of Maitland and Hockhampton responded. The Catholic Young Men's Society was proposed by the Cardinal, Mr. B. Iloarc, one of the first vice-presidents, responding At 11 o'clock the Cathedral was again thronged Pontifical High Mass was celebrated by the Right Rev. Dr. Dwyer, Coadjutor-Bishop of Maitland, who is especially distinguished as the lirst native-born Australian to attain to episcopal dignity, the Right Rev Dr Kelly, Bishop of Geraldton, being the second. The ceremonies were granU and solemn in the extreme. The long procession in which the Cardinal, Arehbishlops, Bishops, and clergy entered the church and on the termination of the ceremonies left it was most imposing, and the sanct|uaiy, in wtiicn were present so many prelates, was a scone oi great magnincence. The members of the hierarchy in attendance were the Cairdinal-Archbishop of Sydney, the Archbishop of Melbourne, the Coadjutor-Archbishop ot Sydney, the Bishops of Maitland, Sale, Clnistchurch, Rockhampton, Wilcannia, Sandhurst, Auckland Arnndale, the Coadiutor-Bishops of Maitland, llobait, and British New Guinea. The music of trie Mass was performed by a choir assisted efleetively by an oichestra of strings. In the evening Pontifical Vespers were sung, the preacher on the occasion being Archbishop Kelly. At 10 a.m. on Monday 'Ihe Formal Opening of the Congress took place in the Cathedral Hall. Tin inaugural address was delivered by Archbishop Carr, who prefaced it by reading a cablegram from Rome in which the Benediction of (he Pope was conveyed, and al^o a letter trom the Archbishop of San Francisco expressing his Grace's sympathy, and dwelling on the blessings and advantages of Catholic union. Dr. Can's address was terse and vigorous, couched also in the graceful and polished style "exceptionally character isitic of the illustrious writer. As, however, the address will appear in the published volume and has already appeared in that excellent monthly, the ' Austral Light,' it is not necessary for me to make any attempt to give your readers an idea of iti. Such an attempt on my part, moreover, must result m failure. His Grace was followed by the Cardinal, who read a paper on devotion to the Blessed Virgin, in the ancient Irish Church. Last week I acquainted you with the comparison that had been made between the volume of the Sydney Congress and that now to be published. Comparisons, they say, are odious-, but to compare a writer with himself may perhaps be held less invidious. His Eminence's paper seemed to many to surpass anything they had so far heard trom him. But again it is said that it was in turn excelled by that read by him on Tuesday forenoon on the relations that, throughout the nineteenth century, had prevailed between the Irish priests and the Irish people*. His Eminence, in short, has the happy and somewhat rare gift of always expressing himself to the best advantage. A photograph, lent by the Cardinal for the purpose, of the Blessed Virgin as represented in ancient Irish illumination will be included in the miblished volume, and will form a most valuable and interesting addition to a valuable and important work. In the afternoon sectional meetings were held, at which various papers were read, one or other of the prelates presrdmg at each. Jn the evening at 8 o'clock

the Arcnuishop of Melbourne received the members of the hierarchy and clergy, and the members generally in attendance-in number exceeding 18uU— m the Cathedral Hall. 1 lie hall is, m fact, a nobLe .apartment and one oi wnicti the C athohcs of Melhourne may well be proud It is, seen to perfection in the blaze of tihe electric lamp& 1 with wiueh, in most tasteful arrangement, it is providcd. On the occasion in question the floor was carpeted Inrougnout. Seats were conpned to one line against ihe wall, running from end to end. On the side opposite was a bullet provided with refreshments. 'ihere was, however, little time allowed for the contemplation ot the carpet. The members came pouring in until not a vacant spot could be discerned. A Babel of tongues also arose and hlied the building with a& almost overwhelming hum, but Uie tone was that of an orderly though rejoicing, multitude. The prelates took up a position on the floor in front of the platform.-the Cardinal occupying a central place. Here his' Eminence received thp immense company present, who, one by one, approached him, a long row making its way through the surrounding crowd, all of whom in turn formed part of it. The nuunbers were permitted to kiss the Cardinal's ring and Jus Eminence, instead of betraying weariness or Uligue, had a gracious word for each. Cm the conclusion of this ceremony the Cardinal with the ;vrch-bit-hops and Bishops ascended the platform, which had been duly prepared and adorned for their occupation, where also they were visited by some of the more distinguished among the members. A principal business of the evenrncr was afterwards performed in the photographing by ila-Jh-light ot the assembly. All the ariangements ot the evening were directed by the energy and skill oi the hon. secretary, Dr. Ken n y, whose ability and unsparing eilorts in promoting the successful working ot tins great and important gathering cannot be too highly applauded. Among the duties devolving on the secretary on the occasion referred to was that of overcoming the modesty which, he said, kept the company back Irom the buffet. I must not forget that a \eiy capable orchestra, strings and piano, had bee n pro\ided ior the evening. The music of the human vo>ice, however, as heard in conversation, was evidently prefcried, and the musicians hardly succeeded in making their instruments audible. Among the announcements made by Dr. Kenny was that at noon next day a photogiaph of the members would be taken on the outside oi vSt Pntuck's Cathedral, and that in the afternoon a special train would convey the members to Kew, where they had been invited to visit the college of the Jesuit Fathers. There was a large attendance in the Cathedial grounds on Monday, and the photograph taken must gne a \cry good idea of 'Ihe Important Character of the Comgress. A notable featuie in connection with it ia the large proportion ot men present, more especially at hours when it is dillicult lor them to make attendance convenient. Tins alone shows the importance attached to the matter. The special train for which Dr. Kenny .equested particular patronage was crowded, many oassengeis being obliged to stand. The company on atrival at the college were conducted to a spacious hall capable ot conveniently accommodat ing them. In an address delivered in Latin the Very Rev. Father Superior welcomed the Cardinal, his Eminence replying in the same tongue, but continuing in English for the benefit of his less learned hearers. Tne subject of the meeting was education on winch it was proposed that five papers should be read. Two were actually read and criticised by Archbishop Kelly and Bishop Murray. Friends«and admiiers of the venerable Hishop of Maitland, of whom there are many, would rejoice to see him still so full of vigor anu so bright in humotr. Dr. Kelly is a powerful speaker, every word he uttered being deliberate, well chosen, and to the point. The Cardinal and the Archbishop ot Melbourne had been unahle to remain for the reading of the papers, and when two out oi live had been read and criticised, fairly and candidly, a telegram was received from Dr. Carr directing that ,as' the afternoon was close, the leading should be cut short so that the company might walk out mto the fresh air. alod enjoy the beauty of the college grounds. A thoroughly pleasant afternoon, in a word, was spent. So tar this is the extent to which the business or entertainment of the Congress has gone. Much more remains to be chronicled, and then, too,- in the space allotted a newspaper correspondence, a mere outline can only be gp'en. Thore are other meetings ol various kinds t o he held, including one of special interest at the Convent ! ot the Good Shepherd, Abbotsford. I have not at- , tempted to give a list of the clergy present They are very numerous, and to obtain their names' njhist involve [ a work of time. Those from Dunedin, however— Fathers Cleary and Coffey— have been welcomed hy many friends. Many more are gladly expecting Dean Burke, who is on his way hither, via Sydney.