THE EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

New Zealand Tablet, 17 August 1911, Page 1565

THE EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

A MOST IMPRESSIVE SPECTACLE

The enthusiastic reception of his Eminence Cardinal Aguirre, the Papal Legate, at Madrid on Friday, June 23 (says the Catholic Weekly), was a fitting inauguration of what will be, it is hoped, one of the most imposing and magnificent. Eucharistic Congresses on record. An air of unwonted , joy and festivity pervaded the usually sober streets of the capital, which were decorated with that profuseness which Spaniards know so well how to lavish, when it is a question of celebrating great ecclesiastical functions. At the railway station, the representatives of the King and the Government and the municipal authorities, the representatives of provincial deputations, and the heads of the military and police force, as well as the heads of the religious Orders, together with crowds of eager congressists of all nationalities, assembled to greet the Cardinal Legate with an enthusiasm which warmly testified to their devotion, to the Holy See. His Eminence drove from the station in company with the Bishops of Sion and Namur, and preceded by a royal escort, to the Church, of Santa Cruz, where he was received by the Bishop of Madrid-Alcala, and other prelates, and an enormous concourse of secular and regular clergy, who, forming in procession, conducted the Legate to the Cathedral, where the 'Te Deum * was splendidly sung by the Isidorian choir, and the Papal Brief was read by a notary of the Curia. The Bishop of Madrid then formally welcomed his Eminence, and after the function was' over Cardinal Aguirre was driven, amid enthusiastic crowds of spectators, +0 the Royal Palace, where he was receievd by his Majesty King Alfonso and the Infante, Don Carlos. Waiting to . welcome him also were the Queen Mother Maria Cristina, and the Infantas Dona Isabel and Dona Maria Teresa. Later, there was a reception of all the ecclesiastics and prelates, with the representatives of the secular and regular clergy, and a solemn service in the Cathedral at night. The opening ceremony of the Eucharistic Congress was held on Sunday, June 25, in the Church of St. Francis, which was crowded. Cardinal Aguirre, the Papal Legate, who presided, was surrounded by prelates, members of the Cabinet, the Governor of Madrid, and the Municipal Councillors. The Infante Don Carlos represented King Alfonso. He sat on a throne surrounded by officers. The nave of the church was filled with people of distinction, members of the nobility and others . . "■'

The Infante read an address en behalf of the Kin". It was in his Majesty's handwriting. King Alfonso ', after welcoming the LegaW, said it gave him great pleasure that his Eminence, who was, so dear to the people of Spain, had been selected for that high office! His Majesty invoked the blessings of Heaven on the Congress, and said he hoped that by increasing devotion to the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. it would extend the feeling of Christian brotherhood between all classes of Spaniards. Cardinal Aguirre, in replying, returned thanks for the support given to the Congress in all official circles. On the previous day his Eminence had sent a telegram to the Holy Father, informing him that the Papal Legate had been received by the Royal Family, the authorities, and the people with acclamation, and asking for his Holiness' blessing. Two telegrams from the Pope were now read. His Holiness bestowed his blessing on all the members of the Congress. The Bishop of Namur then spoke, dwelling on the importance of the Eucharistic Congresses for the promotion of religion. As the Legate and the Infante returned to the palace they were heartily cheered by vast crowds. On the second day of the Congress a telegram was read from his Eminence Cardinal Merry del Val, Papal Secretary of State, giving expression to the satisfaction with which the news of the opening of the Congress had been received by the Pope, and conveving the Holy Father's blessing.

That morning 7000 children received Holy Communion in the various churches of Madrid.

Most Imposing Spectacle Ever Seen in Madrid.

A cable message from Madrid on June 29 said: The Eucharistic Congress reached its climax to-day in a great procession, which started from the Church of St. Jerome and crossed the. capital to the palace in great pomp and splendor. Open air altars and triumphal arches, erected in streets decked with precious Gobelin tapestry, bunting and garlands, converted the city into an immense temple. It was the most imposing spectacle ever seen in Madrid, and it is Estimated that it was witnessed by half a million spectators. The weather was hot.

> One hundred tons of flowers were strewn along the route of the procession. The whole garrison of Madrid, commanded by a field marshal and three generals, took part in the parade. The participants in the great ceremonial included twenty thousand children, twenty thousand working men and women, seven Archbishops, sixty-five Bishops, three thousand priests, deputations from the Ministry and the Chamber of Deputies, grandees, the Mayor of Madrid, the Councillors, Knights of the Golden Fleece, sailors from trans-Atlantic steamships, and King Alfonso and noblemen in State carriages. The procession wound up with the municipal guards in their violet uniforms.

From a magnificent altar, hung with Gobelin tapestries and decked with jewels, in the vast' Castelar plaza, the Pope's Legate blessed the people, and the bells of all the churches in the city pealed. At the closing session of the congress proper, the King and Queen and all the members of. the Cabinet being present, the accommodation of the vast church of St. Francis was taxed, and thousands were unable to find room within. Cardinal Aguirre read a telegram from the Pope asking the members of the congress lo pray for the Church in Portugal, whose prelates were being persecuted for their faith.