Very Rev. Father Lynch, CSS. R.. in The Philippines

New Zealand Tablet, 28 December 1911, Page 2637

Very Rev. Father Lynch, CSS. R.. in The Philippines

August (says the Filipino Messenger) was a memorable month for the members of our Manila conferences. The visit of Very Rev. Father Lynch put new life into

the religious activities of our young men and women. His exhortation at the Sodality reception, his three Sunday sermons to the government university students, his triduum to the same young men,: will never be forgotten by those who had the good fortune to hear him. - .' ;■*

There was an inspiring representation in the Seminary Chanel on the morning of August 20. i The determination, to hear Mass and receive Holy Communion on that day, was not hindered by one of the heaviest rainfalls of the season. The same spirit was in the large gathering of determined youth, who came out in the early morning for,three successive days to assist at Mass and listen to a religious instruction before attending their classes at the Government University. Remember, far-a-way friend, that classes in Manila being at 7.30 a.m., so that you may mark all the higher the degree of determination that distinguish these sturdy youth. .

~ The first solemn Sodality reception of the year was held in the Ermita Church, on Sunday afternoon, August 20. Despite the inclement weather, the church was filled with students of the government higher schools. The sermon on the occasion was preached by the Very Rev. P. M. Lynch, C.SS.R., Superior of the Redemptorist Fathers in the Philippine Islands. For nearly one hour Father Lynch addressed the congregation of Filipino young men and women who listened with unabated interest to his eloquent and stirring discourse. Forty-six young ladies were received as members into the Sodality and fifteen were admitted as aspirants. The spiritual director, Rev. P. M. Finegan, S.J., officiated at the ceremony, which was concluded by Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Not the least impressive feature of the solemn function was the congregational singing of the hundreds of young people who filled the church. Since its inception more than a year ago, the Mass for government school students shows every Sunday a steadily increasing attendance. On August 6, the young men were privileged to 'hear a sermon from Very Rev. P. M. Lynch, C.SS.R., who had just arrived from Cebu. It was the first sermon preached by him in Manila. So impressed were his hearers, that the Rev. Father was invited to conduct a triduum the following week. The exercises began on the evening of August 16 at 6.30 o'clock. A triduum held during Regular class is not without its difficulties. But enough earnest young men were found to fill the seminary chapel. They came from all parts of the city, the attendance increasing each night. Besides the evening sermon, there was Mass, followed by instruction, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings, at 6.30, the attendance on these occasions being double and treble what had been anticipated. There was a general Communion on Sunday morning, August 20. The occasion will not be soon forgotten by those who were Manila in the season of typhoons. But the heavy downpour was no obstacle to the determined young men who had followed the exercises of the triduum. With a spirit of admirable piety they braved the storm to assist at Holy Mass and receive Holy Communion. At the conclusion of the Mass, the Papal Benediction was given by Father Lynch.