Kaikoura

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 48, 28 November 1907, Page 13

Kaikoura

(From an occasional correspondent.) The beautiful devotion oi the Forty Hours' Adoration commenced here on last Sunday, November 17, and closed on' Tuesday after the 9 o'clock Mass. After Mass on Sunday there was a procession of the Blessed Sacrament through the grounds and around the church of the Sacred Heart. The bright regalia of the Children of Mary was. a striking feature, forming , a pleasing" contrast to the sombre costume of the Sisters and the white cottas of the altar boys. The weather was. most favorable, the clear rays of the sun glinting down' oh the different hues,, and rendering the scene very picturesque. It was the finest procession yet witnessed at Kaikoura. On this occasion, according to instructions, the Triduum of -his Holiness was blended, as far 'as possible, with the Forty Hours. The .magnificent prayer to Our Eucharistic- and Hidden God was recited each time at Benediction, forming a solemn feature in itself, as coming from the* heart of Pius X. In compliance with the prescriptions *of the Pope and in accordance with the usage at the Forty Hours, there were ser-

mons on the Blessed Sacrament during the Triduum. One was at Mass, dealing with preparation for a worthy and fruitful Communion ; another in the evening respecting the mysterious presence of Our Lord under the Eucharistic veil j and the third on Holy Mass on Monday evening. Considering that the Sacred Heart Ohurch. is situated in the heart of the country, the attendance of worshippers during the Triduum Was very satisfactory.' The Sisters .of the Mission and the school children rendered most valuable and devoted aid in watching, as did also the Children of Mary. At the close of the celebrations on Tuesday there was a goodly congregation, which took part in the procession, this time within the church. All through the choir attended faithfully at the services, sometimes at much inconvenience, Miss Kate Harnett being the efficient organist. Mother Coluiriba displayed her usual artistic taste and skill in the beautiful decorations of the High Altar. " This brief description would be very incomplete without adding another feature, one of' real value and significance. The confessional ' was well attended on Sunday night and again on Monday night after Benediction of 1 the Most Holy Sacranrent. During the Forty Hours nearly sixty Communions were made, though the general Communion on the first Friday was only a fortnight ago. The rich indulgences offered and the ardent desire of the 'Holy Father fox frequent Communion in the Ohurch were • reasons cogent enough to produce so happy a result. Most certainly the Triduum^ was fruitful of spiritual good, and there is a hope that it may influence erring, souls to come' and drink at the fountain of living waters. We have it on the infallible word of Jesus Christ that there is. no spiritual life in carnal man. He must repent. He must allow the Precious Blood to wash his soul in the Sacrament of Penance. The Old Adam must be discarded. Grace must be sougiht and won through, the infinite merits and mercies of the New Adam. The divine oracle must he received and heeded : ' Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man,- and drink His blood, you shall not have life in you.' Woe to him who, despising .this solemn warning, refuses the ' bread of life, the manna from heaven, the ' flesh indeed and the blood indeed ' of Him, Who declares Himself : ' The Way, the Truth, and the Life.' The Holy Father has nothing more at heart than that the Christians of the hour appreciate Holy Corrmwnion, the greatest gift of God to man, even as did the early Christians, who refreshed and sanctified their souls by the daily participation of the divine Eucharist. Thus does he seek to bring back and establish all things in Christ. Wonderp\,+3?f ™" th^ ° f all P raise is ' the reigning Sovereign Pontiff! How blessed the modem world for the'wisdom, the zeal, arid the holiness of its Popes !