THE EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES

New Zealand Tablet, 29 October 1908, Page 10

THE EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES

The thirteenth International Eucharistic Congress, for which arrangements had been in progress for some time, was opened in London on September 9. We take the following account of the magnificent and imposing demonstrations of faith witnessed during the first two days of the Congress from the Catholic Times :— To witness the vast concourse of people from all nations who have come to the British metropolis to pay a tribute of homage to Christ, to see them streaming in at the portals of the noble Westminster Cathedral till every inch of space in the mighty building is occupiecPand many thousands have to remain outside contcot with joining the worshippers in spirit, to behold the imposingMrray of ecclesiastics of every grade and from every part of the world, to look upon the masses who in order to hear His praises sounded eloquently an<l in accents of profound faith crowded to the Albert Hall and overflowed around it, must have given delight to all Catholic spectators and^ thrilled their hearts to the inmost core with joy. The Papal Legate. The last occasion on which a Papal Legate— Cardinal Polemade his entry into London was one full of historic interest, for it betokened the reconciliation of England with the Holy See.' The affair was therefore invested with all the statelincss of magnificent ceremonial. For the coming of the present Papal Legate Cardinal Vincenzo Vannutelli, no such imposing function was arranged, but the spontaneous heartiness of his reception was not less enthusiastic. When he reached the Admiralty Pier at Dover on Tuesday, September 8, the scene ivas one of remarkable animatton. A vast crowd of Catholics, belonging to many countries had assembled, and, having obtained permission to go on the landing stage, eagerly awaited the Cardinal. As soon as the boat was sighted, cheers were raised, and. when she came alongside they were renewed in the lustiest possible manner, ladies waving the ir handkerchiefs and men their hats with fervor. The different garbs of those present lent picturesqucness to their appearance There were pnests, secular and regular, Sisters of Chanty and Wh e S n°th°r cr H- eli f° US u ° rdCrS> la3 ' men ° f Various rank - When the Cardinal, who was attended by Mgr. Bidwcll, Conte Aymard d Insel, and Mr. Stuart Coats, and one of whose fellow passengers was Cardinal Mathieu, proceeded to the gangway to greet him. A deputation, including the Right Rcy Dr Amigo. Bishop of Southward in whose diocese Dover is s huate and the Right Rev. Dr. Johnson, Bishop of Arindela, l P Z en l mg the Archdiocese of Westminster, was received by his £„ nence in the state saloon, where, i D the course of a brief coT version he spoke of the pleasure w i th which he looked forwa^ to the Congress. On his way to the train he was besieged by admirers, and as he advanced he nused his hand to bless them He entered a special saloon carriage, and the train soo, afte - wards steamed off for London. Reception in London. At Charing Cross the deep interest taken^n the Lecate's visit was still more notable. For „ considerable time a to^d had been collecting at tfie station, and its proportions were con tmually swelled by new accessions, many wearing the Confess badges a band of white and gold ribbon round the St and a Byzantine cross pinned to the breast. .On the pttfo m

were to be seen ecclesiastical dignitaries and other priests from every part of Great Britain and Ireland and from Continental and distant lands. Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Holland, America, Australia, and New Zealand all sent contingents. There - was a pleasant mingling of colors, purple and violet, black, brown, white and grey forming a striking picture. A number of the priests were attired in the cassock, as ordinarily worn by the clergy on the Continent. Archbishop Bourne wore the cassock cloak, and beaver hat, with green and gold tassel. On reaching the station his Grace entered into conversation with the assembled prelates. One of these was the aged Primate of Spain, Cardinal Sancha y Hervas, Archbishop of Toledo. Amongst the others present were Consignor Stonor, Archbishop of Trebizond the Archbishop of Aquila, the Right Rev. Bishop Mac Sherry, of the Eastern District of the Cape of Good Hope, the Bishop of Dunedin, the Bishop of Alinda, the Bishop of La Plata, the Bishop of San Carlos de Ancud, the Duke of Norfolk, President of the Catholic Union, Mr. and Miss Kenyon, the Hon * Teresa Maxwell, and Mr. W. S. Lilly. As the train drew up there were loud and prolonged cheers from the platform, which were taken up by a mass of people shut off from it by a barrier The Legate appeared at the window of the carriage-and acknowledged the greetings by repeatedly bowing. The Archbishop of Westnunster then entered the saloon and bade his Eminence an affectionate welcome, embracing him and kissing him on both cheeks Ihe Duke of Norfolk, the Archbishops and Bishops were introl duccd to the Cardinal by the Bishop of South wark, who travelled with him from Dover. The cheering was kept up without intermission, and the Legate, touched by the demonstration decided to address to the waiting crowd a few words expressive of his gratitudie. Speaking in Italian, he said : For the first time in a long series of years a Pontifical Legate has been sent to this country by the Holy Father. The duty and honor of representing him devolves upon me, and it is with great pleasure that I find myself again in London. I thank you for your warm reception in this city-this magnificent London— and I will not fail to convey to the Holy Father information of the hearty welcome which I have received in this land of liberty, freedom, and toleration. To the Congress I wishevery success. It will mark, I hope, an epoch in the religious life of this country. The Cardinal's remarks were received enthusiastically, and as he entered a motor car with Archbishop Bourne and Dr Jackman to drive to Archbishop's House, the Catholic visitors and the general public joined in an outburst of cheering To his Eminence's manifest pleasure a great crowd similarly testified their joy~ when he reached Archbishop's House, on which the Papal flag was hoisted, as it also was from the Cathedral together with the Union Jack. <. ' At Westminster Cathedral. One would have thought at the first sight of the thousands standing outside the Cathedral doors on Wednesday night that one was living in the heart of a great Catholic city. The Papal Legate was received at the entrance of the Cathedral with cheers which rang out in the welkin and even swell Q d into the building. It was a thrilling volume of sound, and it was clear that- the assembled thousands were affected by the deepest emotions. Yet the crowd was so orderly that the police found no difficulty at all in controlling it. But if the sight outside was wonderful, stilll more so was the scene within. From the marble gallery above the sanctuary nothing could be seen but -a vast sea of faces. Here and there a brilliant uniform or bright-colored dress contrasted warmly with the sombre grey of the Cathedral walls. Precisely at 8 o'clock the procession . formed, and going down to the great door, wended its way solemnly to the high altar. In front walned the servers, followed by the Minor Canons in their grey rochets; then came the Canons and the Archbishop. The Papal Legate, his Eminence Cardinal Vannutelli, followed, his stately, dignified .form, clad in the red robes of his rank as Prince of the Church, conspicuous under the white silk canopy held- over him. Last of ajl came the Bishops, and as the procession marched slowly up the central iHsle, the organ pealed out Catholic London's welcome to "the representative of the Holy Father. The sight which then presented itself from the gallery was a most impressive one. The red and purple of the Bishops and Monsignori in the' sanctuary, with the quiet, dignified figure of the Cardinal Legate* kneeling at his faldstool, the massed thousands kneeeling at therback, in the body of the church, gave one a vivid color-picture of the progress and the strength of the Catholic Church in England. Long will that scene live in the hearts and minds* of those 'who were privileged to be present at it, and deep will be' their^ gratitude to the Eucharistic God, Whose triumph it celebrated.

The Holy Father's Letter. One of the Ghaplains then proceeded to the pulpit and -.amidst impYessivc silence, read the following letter from the Holy Father :—: — To Our Venerable Brother, . Vincent Vannutelli, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Bishop % of Palestrina, •■ PIUS X,', PO*PE, Venerable Brother, Health and Apostolic Benediction. Among the important Catholic Congresses which it is customary to hold yearly in honor of the Most Blessed Eucharist, that which, as you are aware, has been called to assemble in London next September, seems likely to be most noteworthy by reason of the number and dignity of those who will attend it, and because of the splendor and solemnity of its Ceremonies. And, indeed, we learn that, .owing chiefly to the efforts of Our Venerable Brethren Francis, Archbishop of Westminster, who with the utmost solicitude has directed the preparatory arrangements, and Thomas, Bishop of Namur, President of the Permanent Committee for the Organisation of Eucharistic Councils, devout minds are displaying a remarkable interest in this meeting ; that men of learning of every class will assemble from all parts ; and that impressive religious Celebrations will take place publicly in the heart of the great Metropolis. That this is most pleasing to Us will readily be understood by all who realise how necessary it is that the Divine Eucharist should be loved, worshipped, and partaken of more and more among the Christian People. It is indeed from the Eucharist, as from its source, that the spirit of the supernatural Life is diffused over the whole Body of the Church. Here we have a bond whereby the members of the same Body are closely brought together. In this august Sacrament our Sweet Saviour is really present ; and truly living, although mystically hidden from us, will dwell in our midst until the end of time. Hero, then, especially, is the flame of Divine Charity enkindled within us ; here lies the foundation of our hope. , And whereas we regard this Sacrament as a centre of our Faith, one and the same for all, so likewise the order of Its Consecration one and the same for the whole Catholic Priesthood, though so many different rites denotes our unity of discipline and of Government. Again we venerate the Eucharist, not only as the greatest of the Sacraments, but, as that which is truly the chief act -.f Divine worship and essential to Religion : namely, a sacrifice. For it is indeed the sacrifice of the New Testament, proper .to the Church of Christ, foreshadowed by the offerings of the Fathers of the Old Law, notably by that of the High Priest Melchisedech, and clearly promised in the prophecy of Malachias. In the Eucharist that self-same sacrifice offered once upon the Cross is renewed, in a bloodless manner and uninterruptedly, throughout the world. Wherever members of the Fold of Christ stand before the altar, and, after the manner of their forefathers in the New Dispensation as in the Old, tender to God Almighty the homage which is His due, there this sacrifice is offered ; a tribute of Thanksgiving and Praise, of Atonement and Propitiation. We cannot imagine anything better calculated than this to inflame devout souls with the desire that it may be held in ever greater honor throughout Christendom. It was properly decided to hold this Congress in the Capital of that Empire rightly famed for the liberty it extends to its citizens, and to whose authority and laws so many millions of Catholics render faithful and dutiful obedience. As on other occasions, We not only give Our approval to this design, but We gladly take part in it. Wherefore, in order that you may represent Us at the Eucharistic Congress of Westminster, by these letters We name you Our Legate. The Divine Author of the Church, Whose glory alone is sought, will be in your midst in the abundance of His grace. Meanwhile, as a pledge of His gifts, as a token of Our special goodwill, We lovingly ' impart to you, Venerable Brother, and to all and each one of those who will be present at the Congress, the Apostolic Benediction. Given at Rome, at Saint Peter's, on the 28th day of August, the Feast of Saint Augustine, Doctor of the Church, in the year 1908, of Our Pontificate the sixth. Cardinal Vannutelli's Address. His Eminence then mounted the pulpit and read'' his address. Speaking in Latin, he expressed his sense of the honor done him by- the Sovereign Pontiff. He had^the greatest pleasure iri representing his Holiness at so distinguished a meeting, and in opening the thirteenth Eucharistic Congress in that Cathedral, which was a memorial of the late Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, and of the generosity of the faithful. He derived much

joy and comfort from the words of the Holy Father : * The Divine Author of the" Church, whose glory alone is sought,, will Be present with the abundance of His grace.' The Congress opened under the most propitious circumstances. It was held in a most hospitable country, once greatly favored by God, and said by a famous Pope to be a land of angels rather than Angles. Painful dissensions had, it was true, sprung up at a later period,, but these had been softened since. For the first time for many centuries England had opened its doors to a Papal Legate, and to numerous Cardinals, Bishops, and priests from foreign parts. They must give thanks for the admirable dispensations of His Providence .which had there brought the.m together. His thanks went out, too, to the great nation whose hospitality they were enjoying. He desired to offer the expression of his respect to the wise ruler of its destinies, and his acknowledgments to those in authority. Would that his presence on that occasion might help to bring about that true Christian peace which it desired above all tliTngs.

Although those present had come from so niany parts of the world, and in such numbers that their meeting might truly bo said to be a congress of nations rather than an international congress, yet there reigned among them cor unum et anima una. In matters of faith, as in matters of discipline, they were entirely at one. They venerated Our Saviour Jesus Christ as the Author and invisible Head of the Church, and precisely for this reason they acknowledged the successor of Peter as His visible Vicar on earth.' Their union would be strengthened by the goodwill which the Holy Father had shown them. Of this special goodwill the presence of a Logate was in itself a signal mark ; again the Holy Father had declared in his lettor that it was pleasing to him that the Congress should be held in London. This was, not only on account of the good results which the Pope tr.usted would follow, but also because it afforded him the opportunity of expressing his special regard and benevoferfee towards the "fioble British race. Was it not tbis great affection of #fe Pope for his childron of England which l induced him lately to raise their dioceses to the status enjoyed by those of GaErholic countries? The Congress opened thenTn circumjrtatffeps^b propitious as to justify tho belief that its results would not b^fess important than those of the earlier meetings. He "wished it'rnight be given to them to rovi\p that Eucharistic age which was_«jp characteristic of the Island of Saints, and to unite all in one Faith, in that faith, namely, that was once the most precious s^easure of the Bishops, Kings, Princes, and people of England. what was more likely to bring about this common agreement than the divine Eucharist which is, in the words of Augustine, the Sacrament of Piety, the sign of unity, the bond of charity?

Let them enter on their work- therefore with confidence that God would bless it. Let them follow in the footsteps of their forefathers, whoso labors and whose blood had sanctified these lands. It was easy to imagine how those saints of old must long for the revival in their beloved country of the Faith in the Eucharist held by East and West. In their day, before entering on any matter of grave moment, the heads of the Universities, the Judges of the land, would hoar Slass to implore guidance from above. Magnificent temples were built and endowed in honor of this august Sacrament. And solemn processions of the Blessed Sacrament wore held in the streets, as may be found described by Lanfranc. Let them, therefore, members of that Congress, endeavor in so far as they might to forge the link which would unite the celebrations of the present day with those of the past. Meanwhile, as a pledge of the fruit of their labors and of the blessings which he so earnestly prayed might descend on • their beloved country and the whole Empire, he imparted, in the name of the Holy Father, to all who were taking part in that Congress, the Apostolic Benediction.

Then came a most touching scene. His Eminence at the close of his address intoned the beautiful prayer of the Church, and whilst the massed thousands knelt in the church, imparted to them the Papal Benediction. It seemed as if a Catholic people were kneeling at the feet of the Pope, our common Father. Archbishop Bourne's Words of Welcome. Afterwards the Archbishop read the following address, of welcome to the Papal Legate. " - , . - My Lord Cardinal, — In my own name as Archbishop of -this Metropolitan See, in the name of my brethren the Bishops of this province, and of all the clergy and of the faithful laity of England ; speaking, too, if they will allow me to give utterance to the thoughts which are in their minds, on behalf of those who are our brethren in race and blood, and the use of a common tongue, and who arc so nobly represented here tonight ; -acting also as" the spokesman of that still larger company who are united with us by a bond transcending and effacing

all' distinctions of nation or of speech, namely, our holy Faith, I bid your Eminence hearty welcome'in our midst. That welcome goes forth, in the first .place, to him whom your Eminence so worthily represents, to the Successor of Blessed Peter, the Supreme Pastor on Earth of the one true Church of Jesus Christ.- ' ' We feel that we are in the presence of bur Common Father, who is indeed with us by his prayers and by " his blessing. Next we offer you our greeting, with' special joy that you, my Lord Cardinal, should have been called to preside over this great gathering, knowing as we do how closely your person is identified with the annually, recurring work- of the Eucharistic Congress, and that none could guide our deliberations more gladly or with ' keener interest than your Eminence. You, my Lord Cardinal, have dwelt upon the characteristics which, while they unite this Congress with, all those that have preceded it, yet stamp it with its own especial features. It is an act of worship, an act of faith, but at the same time an act of reparation, intended to atone for all those words uttered in the English tongue which, some sent forth in knowing and bitter malice, and many more spoken in ignorance — which will surely plead in mitigation of tHeir guilt — have done outrage to the Blessed Sacrament. This spirit of reparation, made animate by our faith, is in the hearts ~of all to-day"T and mingles with the. joy that marks this great assembly made memorable, as it is, by the presence of Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church and of« Bishops of the Catholic Church in ' numbers such as our English soil has, I think, never witnessed in days gone by. v And if, profiting by the grateful fact that the native sense of justice in our countrymen has overcome the prejudice which once did them so great dishonor, we, on this occasion, make the fullest use of that right of free speech- and public demonstration which they employ so readily to advance every cause which they have at heart, let no man imagine that we do these things in any spirit of hostile feeling towards those who do not think as we ; still less that there is any thought of empty boasting in our minds. N t on iwbis, Domine, non nobis, sed nomini Tuo^da gloriam. ' Not to us, O Lord, but to Thine own name give glory,' if to-day we are able openly to speak Thy praises, and to make known to all our love and our thanksgiving for the greatest of Thy gifts. Encouraged by your gracious words, my Lord Cardinal, and by the thought of the Shepherd of all the Flock, of whose mind those words are tire faithful echo, we enter on the prayers and labors of this Congress, and as you have blessed us in his name, so now do we beg God to pour down His choicest gifts and blessings upon His servant whom He has been pleased to ca.ll to the summit of the Apostolic Office, singing with one heart and voice : ' May the Lord guard him, and' give him life*, and make him blessed upon this earth, and give him not up into the hands of his enemies. Amen.' Then followed solemn Benediction, assisted at by the Cardinal Legato. Congress Roll. Besides the Papal Legate, there were five Cardinals present at the opening ceremonies, and Cardinal Merrier, Archbishop of Mechlin, was expected to arrive later on. The following is the list of Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops ,and distinguished laity : • Cardinal Vincenzo Vannutelli, Papal Legate ; Cardinal Logue, Cardinal Gibbons, Cardinal Sancha y Hervas, Cardinal Ferrari, Cardinal Mathieu, and Cardinal Mercier. The Archbishops of Acrida (Coadjutor of Sydney), Aquila, Ephesus (Apostolic Delegate to Canada), Glasgow, Hobart, Melbourne, Metymna (Coadjutor of Cambrai), Montreal, Paris, Seleucia, Trebizond, Tuam, Utrecht, and Zara. The Bishops of Aberdeen .Achonry, Alinda, Angers, Arras, Auckland, Autun,- Ballarat, Bethsaida, Birmingham, Bruges," Canea, Cebu, Clazomenae, Clifton, Cloyne, Cork, Detroit, Dunedin, Elphin, Emmaus, Erythrae of Strasbourg), Eumenia, Galloway, Huanuco, Ity>ra, Justinianopolis, Kerry, Kildare, Killaloe, Kilrnore, Langres, La Plata, Limira, Lincoln (U.S.A.), Lismore (Australia), Liverpool,^ Lugo, Mazara, Menevia, Metz, Middlesbrough, Namur, Newport, Nicopolis, Northampton, Nottingham, Olenus, Olinda, Ossory, Petinissus, Phocea, Plymouth, Portsmouth,. Pozzuoli, Ross, St.-Brieuc, St. Die, Sao Luis Potosi, San Carlos do Ancud, Salford, Savannah', Sebaste, Selinus, Soissons, Tentira, Valley field, Verdun, Waterford, and the Bishop. Elect of Shrewsbury. "" > — The laity at the Congress included, amongst others, the Duke of Norfolk, the Marquis of Ripbn, the Earl of Denbigh, Lord Edmund Talbot, Lord Llandaff, Lord Stafford, Lord North, Viscount Gormanston, Lord Louth, Viscount Southwell, Viscount Merton, Lord Walter Kerr, Lord ~ Ralph Kerr, Lord Vaux. of

Harrowden, the Earl of Ashburnham, Lord Ninian CrichtonStuart, Lord Chief Baron Palles, Count de Torre Diaz, Duke de Moro, Count Plunkett, Count O'Clery, Sir John Knill, Bart., Sir A. Keogh, Sir -Henry Bellingham, Sir George Errington, Bart., Sir Francis Fleming, K.C.M.G., Sir Herbert Jerningham, Sir Francis Cruise, M.D., the Marquis de Sommery, Sir William Dunn, Sir Ambrose Sutton, Mr. James Hope, M.P., Mr.J. P. Boland, M.P., Mr. Hilaire Belloc, M.P., Mr. H. McKean, M.P., Sir Charles Santley,' the Hon. Charles Russell, the Hon. "Frank Russell, K,C, the.Hon._A. Wilmot, the Duchess of Norfolk, the Lady Mary Howard, the Lady Edmund Talbot, the Dowager Duchess of Newcastle,' Lady North, the Dowager Viscountess Clifdcn, Lady Herbert of Lea, Lady Margaret Domville, the Dowager Lady Arundell of Wardour, the Baroness von - Hugel, Countess de Torre Diaz, the Dowager Viscountess Southwell, Viscountess Southwell, Lady William .Nevill, Lady- Mostyn, of Talacre, Lady Margaret Stuart, the Hon. Mrs. Fraser, the -Hon.' Mrs. Codrington, Lady Knill, Dady Fleming, Lady Saunders, Lady Marshall, Lady Errington, Lady Keogh, Lady Boynton.Lady Bellingham, Lady Butti Lady a Beckett, Lady Chichele Plowden, the Hon. Blanche Dundas, and the Hon. Teresa - Maxwell. ( The Second Day. On Thursday morning there was Pontifical High Mass in Westminster Cathedral. From an early hour the faithful were arriving from all of the metropolis, and awaited with eagerness the moment wheji their passports of admission would permit them to cgngregate within the walls of the magnificent -Byzantine-temple.. At length the doors were unfastened, and- by the time appointed for the ceremony, 9 o'clock, thousands of worshippers, as on the previous evening, had packed the nave and galleries. all eyes -were centred on the high altar, crowned with its glorious baldacchino, resting on eight massive marble pillars, -encrusted with rich mosaics, and the Canons of the Cathedral chanting the morning office. A small procession" of deacon and subdeacon, in vestments -of gold, accompanied by acolytes and " choristers, issues from the _ sacristy forth to the sanctuary, and then,' a few minutes later, comes the Most Rev. Leon Adolphe Annette, Archbishop of Paris, the celebrant, - followed by. the magnificent " procession of Archbishops, "Bishops, Abbots, Generals, and JPj-ovincials of religious orders. It would be impossible here to give an adequate idea of this impressive and inspiring scene, but, after the Archbishop had robed for the Holy Sacrifice in his gorgeous golden vestments, - and, seated on the throne, surrounded by the scarlet.-purple, black,white, and yellow robes of the other dignitaries, accompanied with the music of the fine choir and organ, the group' formed a picture which will never fade from the memory of those who witnessed it. All thought of the sombre and unfinished walls, bare" of the slightest decoration, about us, was lost in the mass of brilliance and color grouped round God's Altar, with~~ the rays of bright- sunshine beaming through the high windows . casting a beautiful glow over all. Sectional -Meetings. At the conclusion .of High Mass, sectional meetings of_the Congress were held in various halls. -The Papal Legate, who was accompanied by the Archbishop of Westminster, presided at the meeting in the Horticultural Hall, when papers were read • at the morning sitting by the Right Rev. Abbot Gasquet.and Monsignor Canon Moyes, and in the afternoon by" Viscount Llandaff and the Hon. Frank Russell. The discussion that fol- " lowed was taken part in by the Bishop" of Namur, Very Rev. Father David, 0.F.M., the Apostolic Delegate to Canada, the Bishop of Montes de Oca, Mexico, the Papal Legate, the Duke of Norfolk, and the Archbishops of Melbourne and Montreal. A meeting of another section of the Congress was Tield at the same time in a hall at Buckingham Gate, where the Bishop of Newport presided. Papers were read by Canon Ryan, Rev. Dr. Bewerunge, and the Bishop of Northampton. Another sectional meeting was held in the Caxton Hall, Cardinal Ferrari, Arch- S bishop of Milan presiding, and supported by the Cardinal Primate of Spain. The two Cardinals were the centre of a group of prelates from both sides of the Atlantic. Old Europe was^represented by the Bishops of Angers, Arras, Autun, Soissuns, Langres, St. Brieuc, Pozzuoli, and Lugo, and America by the Bishop of San Carlos in Chili, and the Archbishop of Montreal, Mgr. Bruchesi.. , ■ ' -. Great Meeting "in the Albert Hall. The meeting at the Albert Hall on -Thursday evening was one of the greatest events of a great Congress. So far, the essentially religious character oT the gatherings gave the ecclesiastics a predominance, but the public meeting in a spacious hall

presented the layman with the chance of proving with all his ardor that his soul is aflame with love for the Redeemer in the Eucharist in no less degree than the ecclesiastics. But, neither the Albert Hall, nor probably any other hall ever built for public meetings, would hold all who desired to secure* tickets. For weeks the organisers have been flooded with applications from every district in these countries, and from, all parts of Europe, and through inability to provide even standing accommodation, hundreds of pounds were returned. The Albert -Hall holds 'nine or ten thousand persons, and the eagerness of quite a multitude to secure places was eagerly exhibited. ' Long before S> o'clock, the hour appointed for the meeting, a stream of people poured along towards it from all the neighboring streets. -Some — especially Cardinals, Archbishops, • and BishopSr^camc in motor cars, gladly placed at their disposal by prominent Catholic laymen. Others used cabs or 'buses, and a vast number walked to the hall. Every seat in the building was quickly filled, and when the Papal Legate, arrived there was around the doors and in the- immediate vicinity a vast assemblage of men and women whose efforts to obtain an entrance had proved unavailing. Their want of success did not damp their enthusiasm. As_his Eminence approached their vociferous cheers rang out again and again, and hats and handkerchiefs were waved with a degree of enthusiasm which seemed to affect every individual in the entire mass.

Cardinal Vannutelli presided, and speeches were delivered by the Bishop of Namur, the Coadjutor-Archbishop of Cambrai, the^Archbishop of Melbourne, the Archbishop of Montreal, the Duke of Norfolk, and M. Brifaut, the leader of the Young Catholics of Brussels. Thus ended the second day of the Congress. -