Ashburton

New Zealand Tablet, 16 July 1908, Page 23

Ashburton

(From our travelling correspondent.) ' •_•-'■ - July. 16. On Sunday last the Right Rev. Dr. "Grimes began his episcopal visitation to the Ashburton parish- At the nine o'clock Mass, -which was celebra-ted by his Lordship, 33 children made their First Communion, and in the afternoon his Lordship administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 80 candidates." • After eleven ' o'clock Mates the Bishptp aid dressed the .people, succinctly explaining the "objects of an ■ episcopal visitation, especially as illustrating the love and solicitude of our Holy Church for all her children.. At both Masses, and also at the Confirmation service, the" church was Crowded, a • laiy;e number havin© 'to - foe content with standing room. In tbe afternoon the congregation included, a considerable sprinkling of nonCatholics, and Dr.. Grimes took occasion to introduce into his -remarks a lucid and effective exposition of the beauty, the fitness, and the significance of the ritual and- ceremonies employed, and of the Scriptural warrant both for the institution of the Sacramelnt and for its administration by the Bishops of the Catholic Church.' The choir rendered appropriate music, Mr. M. J. Burgess acting as conductor, and Mrs. Cooper presiding at the organ. His Lordship will be at Meth r yen on Thursday, and at Rakaia on Sunday, the -19th inst.