Otaki

New Zealand Tablet, 3 September 1908, Page 13

Otaki

- _ (From an occasional correspondent.) The missionaries to 'the Maoris, b the -archdiocese of Wei--1-ngton arranged for a special meeting at Otaki on August .6, when a number of Native girls, look part in' a retreat, pr paratory to receiving First Common, and their reception fnto heSodahty of. Children -of Mary. Several girls . came fom Wairarapa, Rangitikei, Wangaehu, AwahurK and Levin. Thest 7oZ h V C l 7™ [<id iK ~ m ° St inStanCCS by their^ relatives. A comoitabe Maon meeting- house (lOoft( lO oft by 2o ft) was prepared for ITT Qn ° f gidti ' a " d asmaller busld^S was se apart for the use of other visitors.. .Towards evening a^dis mgu.shed ch,ef of^Ngapuhi tribe, Te Rikihana, arrived a^d . i.ecerved a most^enthusia^c,. welcome. . His ability and' sterling character as a chief and catechist were so well and favorS known that we anticipated great results from his visit H- - came from the Hokianga tribes, who . were Jthe fir-st in New Zealand to embrace the faith, and who have ever remained ion d ,h°/o, ! e ? Chin^° f the Chu ~ h - may be here mentioned that Otakx was .also one of the, privileged spptsTn New , Zealand where the flag of, faith was first hoisted. On ' August .7., after the. celebratfon of Mass,' Rev. Faiher , Cognet- explained the object of the meeting, and the spiritual benefits which would result therefrom. The whole day was divided between praying, pieaching, and catechising," with sui>. able time for relaxation, the work being shared : bV Fathers Cognet and Delach. The missionaries were agreeably" surprised on Wednesday, August 12, by a visit from the Very Rev Father, Regnault . (Provincial), .who was accompanied by the „ Rev. Father OXonncll. Father Regnault had come to preside at the final ceremonies of the tetreat. The Natives' gave him a most cordial welcome. Meeting him near the gate, they' pet- - formed with great enthusiasm. their two favorite welcome dances— - 'Toia mai te waka ' and HKa mate,' Ka ora,' repeating; them as he proceeded -towards the meeting house. Later "on th» visitors were 'addressed by the leading chiefs and -catecMsfaf - PokaUara led the way by saying:. < Conic, come," welcome to Pukekaraka, to the., very spot where our faith was first planted m this part of our island ! Come ! Welcome to Father Comte's .own grounds ! Welcome to~the sacred enclosure of Hine-nui-o-te-ao (Blessed Virgin Mary) ! Welcome to Wharekura, the sacred I . house of knowledge, where our children are 'to ' receive ' their ! initiation to the highest mysteries of our faith. Welcome 1 Your , very presence here to-night is to us an earnest of success in our actual undertaking. Welcome PP T Your visit makes God nearer to us.'^ The speech, which'""went on in this joyful strain, was followed by another dance of wel6ome.- Other 'chiefs followed, tKeir speeches expressing " the greatest joy and gratitude. The Very "Rev. Father Regnault replied at some length,' his -address ' being interpreted by Father Cognet. He- ; thanked them "for" the magnificent reception given to^Father O'Connell and" himself, and expressed his sincere affection for, and sympathy with, the native race, and promised his hearty support to whatever may be found conducive to its, welfare. He said he could not help admiring the religious fejrvor of those present, and concluded •by giving some good 'advice to those making the retreat. Rev. Father O'Connelt also added a- few. thoughtful words, and referred to the progress made during the past. fifteen years. On Friday evening- Rev- Father Maillard, of Jerusalem, Wanganui River, arrived from the north. I must here mention that one of the principal workers at the meeting was Mr. J. R. McDonald, of Heatherlea, Levin, whose great knowledge of Maori customs has been of such invaluable help to us. On many occasions during the meeting we had occasion to appreciate" the readiness and' ability with which Te Rikihana explained the doctrines and precepts- of our holy religion. Other zealous catechists, such as Pokaitara, Taiaroa, Tutohe, also gave much valued assistance. - < ■ . ' On August 15, the- Feast of the Assumption, twenty-sis Native girls, clad in white and blue, received their First Communion at the half-past 7 o'clock Mass, which was celebrated by Rev. Fathlr Cognet. In the afternoon -the • First Communicants proceeded to the church, where, after addresses had been delivered by the Very Rev. Father Regnault-and the Rev! Father Cognet, they received the medal of' aspirants to the Sodality of

the Children of Mary, and also the brown scapular. Each of them was attended by Mrs. Mackin, of Wellington, their kind friend and benefactress, to whom in the morning they had extended a very affectionate reception. The girls should never forget her kindness, and they will associate with her name in their gratefulness that of Dr. McDonald, of Wellington.

In the evening the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes on the Pukekaraka Hill was illuminated in commemoratiSn of the jubilee of the apparitions at Lourdes (1858-1908). This was. the work of Father Melu.- Father Regnault addressed the gather^ ing from" the" grotto on the wonders /effected at Lourdes, and also on devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. On Sunday evening after devotions the Maori etiquette was" timed for farewell speeches. • The, chiefs and catechists expressed their gratitude to our worthy Provincial, to the., priests, to .all their 'benefactors, and to all the. tribe's represented in the meeting. Mr. J. R. McDonald, Fathers Mclv, Maillard, and Delacli responded at some length. Very Rev. Dean Regnault (whose remarks were interpreted by Mr. J. R. McDonald) expressed his deep satis r faction at the -good spirit -.evinced Jby "all during the meeting, and also at the results of the 'rctrea%*% He eulogised the work done by the -priests, and all those who organised or helped "the meeting. Judging from what he could see and hear, he could safety say, that assemblies of that kind went a long way towards the improvement of the -Maoris' , religious condition. They should ib^e^heldjjas often" as possible^' and they would' meet" his hearty 'support?^ Later on- he "expressed -the thanks* of all for the manner in which Mr. & p/ R. McDonald had assisted the

priests during the whole meeting. Te Rikihana, -in bidding us farewell, announced that a church meeting would be held in Hokianga on next Christmas Day, and that he would expect some representatives from the tribes to be present. At the last prayers Father Cognct said that before leaving Otaki all visitors should gather once more at the foot of the altar, and there assist at Mass for the repose of the souls of their chiefs, catechists, and relations — so a remembrance of the faithful departed was the last function of this excellent Maori meeting.