The Storyteller

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 19, Issue 42, 19 October 1905, Page 23

The Storyteller

QERMANY— The Catholic Congress The German Catholics who were present at the Catholic Congress in Strasbourg were naturally very proud of the compliment paid them by the Pope when n© asked in his letter to the local committee what better means he could aesdre for the promotion and de^ velopmettit of the Catholic religion than the earnestness aaid fertile zeal of the Germans'. Doubtless the feeling of satisfaction will communicate itself to all the German Catholics. They certainly deserve the tribute, and may well take to themselves credit under the beading of ' Germania -docet '— ' Germany teaches.' It would hsuve been the aavirig of religion in France if the French Catholics had acted in the same way as the Germans. The Centre was formed as a defensive and combative party ; but the programme embraced much more than politics p|ure and simple. They have set on foot and bjrouigjht to perfection all sorts of organisiationis for the elevation of the people's condition. They have mercantile associations, teachers' societies, social courses for mem and women, ami halls for almost every sort of meeting. In a word, they have proved by their works that they are true believers in progress. A Catholic Governor Baron Sdborlemer is the first Catholic who has been appointed Ober-P resident of the Rhine Province since the union with Prussia. All bis predecessors were Protestants. The appointment was the subject of a resolution passed at the German Catholic Congress* The Gregorian Congress There was considerable difference of opinion at the Straslb|urg Congress as to the time needed for efficiently .teaching the Gregorian Chant (says the ' Catholic Times '). Some held it could be acquired without much difficulty in a short time, whilst others, maintalinittg the exact contrary,, declared that it could not be learnt without facing very great difficulties and going through hard work. When specialists are so much at variance the amateur is likely to be somewhat puzzled. The truth porohably is that a thorough training is necessary for the Gjregjorian, as for other styles of music, that if it is imperfectly acquired it is by no means pleasant to hear, bfut that no music can approach it for ecclesiastical functions when it is skilfully rendered. In the archdiocese of Cologne it has been adopted throughout most oil 'the missions for years, and the opinion of those who have heard it in the grand cathedral and other churches of the Rhinelaful is that no music could be more beautiful. It is mamifefet from the proceedings of the International Congress that the movement is. advancing and destined to make headway more and more.' ROME— The Holy Father The Holy Father (writes a Rome correspondent under date, August 25), in spite of the oppressive h«at in Italy, is in the best of health, ana occupies' himself actively in the work of the many reforms he has at heart. Nothing escapes his vigilance, and he finds time for all matters brought before him. With note-book at hand ho jots down the more important points to consider more closely in the privacy of his study. The Irish College A most admirable appointment, and a popular one (says the ' Catholic Times ') is that which has been made to the Rectorship of the Irish College, Rome. A priest of btilliant attainments— he is a Doctor of Divinity, Canon Daw, and Philosophy— Dr. O'Riord'an possesses, besides the diversity of experience which renders education complete. He went throtugh his ecclesiastical course in Rome at the college over which to is to preside, has had missionary experience in the diocese of Westminster, has been a [professor at the Limerick Diocesan Seminary, and has labored as a curate in a large Irish parish. {Despite constant hard work as a priest, he has found time for eminently useful literary exertions. At one tinie he was a regular contributor to oiur columns, and he has continued to write for them occasionally, 'as well as for periodicals and journals in his nathe country. Dr. O'Riordan h>as enriched permanent literature with a book which has just appeared mi a second edition, and which will be the more heartily appreciated the niOTe widely it is known—'Catholicity amd Progress in Ireland.' 'It is, as has been already stated in these columns, an able and convincing reply to Sir Horace Plunkett's criticism. The new Rector is in the prime of life, and may be expected not only to do great things m. the sphere into which he is now called, but later on to go still higher. At a meeting of the citi7ens of Limerick in the Town Hall, and presided over by tlve Mayor, it was deckled to make a presentation, with the sanction of the Bishop, to> Dr. O'Riordan, prior to his departure for the Eternal City< Lord Emly was amonig&t those present.

SPAIN— Plain Chant The Papal Decree with regtaard to Plain Chant has been put into practical effect throughout Spain, the choirs of all the large churches now renderi'mg it according to the Solesmes revision.