Methven—Rakaia

New Zealand Tablet, 10 June 1915, Page 26

Methven—Rakaia

(From an ", occasional correspondent.) ■[' The devotion of the Forty Hours' Adoration was begun in St. Ita's Church, Rakaia, on Sunday, May 23. . The Rev. Father J. Ainsworth, S.M., Marist mis-, sioner, arrived from Temuka on Saturday evening, celebrated Mass at 8.30 o'clock on Sunday morning, at which there was a large number of communicants. Rev. Dr. Kennedy celebrated a Missa Cantata at 11 o'clock, at the end of which Father Ainsworth delivered the opening discourse, which was an explanation of the origin and nature of the devotion, and the privileges to be gained from attending the exercises. He made an eloquent appeal to all to attend during these days of grace. Exposition was continued throughout the day, the faithful attending in large numbers. In the evening Father Ainsworth delivered a powerful sermon on ' Confession,' showing at length its divine origin, and its incalculable advantages to souls. On Monday and Tuesday mornings, Masses celebrated at 7 and 9 o'clock, were attended by large numbers, all of whom received Holy Communion. Rev. Father Ainsworth addressed the congregation both morning and evening, his sermon on Monday night being a splendid discourse on the .' Mass.' The music was rendered by the congregation and by a choir trained by the Sisters of Mercy, by whom also the sanctuary and church were artistically decorated. The remembrance of the devotion this year will long remain with the people, and will be a great stimulus to them in the practice of the duties of their religion. The parishioners of Methven were equally favored. The Very Rev. T. W. Price, Adm. (Christchurch), celebrated the early Mass in Rakaia on Sunday, May 30, and then motored to Methven, where he sans Mass and inaugurated the devotion of the Forty Hours, and addressed the congregation most impressively. The exceptionally bad weather prevailing on the Sunday militated to some extent against the complete success of the devotion by preventing a number of parishioners, who lived at a distance, from attending on the first day.; but those who had the privilege of attending were treated to eloquent and instructive discourses by the Very Rev. Father Price. A large number received the Sacraments at all the Masses. On Monday evening the Rev. Father P. J. Cooney, of Lyttelton, preached an eloquent sermon on the ' Love of Jesus as shown in the Blessed Sacrament.' Father Cooney celebrated the early Mass on Tuesday morning, and Rev. Dr. Kennedy the Mass of Deposition, after which the Litanies were sung and the procession held. The devotion terminated with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The music was rendered by a choir and the congregation. Father Kennedy returned his sincere thanks to his rev. colleagues for their generous assistance, and to the Sisters, to whose devotedness the success, as in previous years, is largely to be attributed. Timaru (From our own "correspondent.) June 7. On Sunday morning at the 9 o'clock Mass, a number of children of the parish made their First Communion. After Mass they were entertained at breakfast in the girls' school by the ladies of the AltaiSociety. The annual procession in connection with the Feast of Corpus Christi took place in the beautiful convent grounds on Sunday, and, as usual, was a very impressive ceremony. This time of the year is not the most favorable for outdoor ceremonies, as the weather is unsettled, but, fortunately, on this occasion there was no cause for complaint in this regard, as the day was an ideal one for the procession. This is the one day of the year, when the Catholics of Timaru unite in making a public profession of their faith, and of proclaiming by acts of adoration, their firm belief in the Adorable

•■ y i , y- ■ jtm • •. • y .. .*••.;;• •-* - . • - Sacrament of the Altar. - The ' people attended in - thousands; and- no one could gaze upon that* magnificent procession without being convinced of the unity and -firm faith of Catholics. Punctually at. 2.30 a start-was made from the convent chapel and, as the long files ■moved slowly around the beautiful grounds, the different colored regalia and beautiful bannerets of the various sodalities had a most charming effect in the bright warm sun. Several appropriate hymns, to the accompaniment of a brass band,.were sung during the procession. Rev. Father Seymour, who was preceded by several neatly attired little flower strewers, carried . the Blessed Sacrament, and was attended by Rev. Fathers Goggan and Murphy, Near the steps of the main door of the convent a temporary altar was erected, from which , Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given. From thence the procession wended its way to the girls’ school, where another altar had been erected, and Benediction was again given. After this, the route lay through the presbytery grounds to the church, where the congregation was so large that standing room only was available. The first Communicants of the morning renewed their Baptismal vows, and Rev. Father Goggan, from the text ‘ If thou only hadst known the gifts of God,’ preached a most eloquent and practical sermon on the necessity and advantages of frequent Communion. The third and final Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was then given, and the immense gathering dispersed, grateful for being able to participate in the united ceremonies associated with the great Feast of Corpus Christ!.