A VENERABLE JUBILARIAN: REV MOTHER MARY

New Zealand Tablet, 29 May 1919, Page 28

A VENERABLE JUBILARIAN : REV MOTHER MARY

CELEBRATIONS AT NAPIER CONVENT. During the past week there have been great jubilations at the Napier Convent in honor qf the golden jubilee,, or 50th anniversary of the profession. of Rev. Mother Mary, Prioress at the Napier Convent (writes our own correspondent, under date May 23). This venerable jubilarian, who. is a native of dear, old France, was professed in the Institute of Notre Dame des Missions at Lyons, France, 50 years ago, subsequently going to Samoa and adjacent islands, and thence New Zealand, where for many year's she has carried on her great work in the various districts. She has been in charge of the Napier Convent for several years past. , ■

• On Monday, May 19, the day of her jubilee, special religious. services were held, High Mass being celebrated by Rev. Father J. Tymons at the; convent chapel in the morning. The chapel was beautifully decorated for the occasion, the floral adornments being in gold and white blooms, drooping ferns and candelabra. Bordese’s Mass was sung by the Sisters' and boarders, the beautiful French hymn, “Lcsangeles,” being rendered

at th© Offertory. , Father Tymons delivered - an. eloquent and appropriate disburse, 'congratulating’ Rev. Mother ■ Mary on the ? attainment of her jubilee, and ? eulogising the great work she had , done during the -years of her. profession. In the evening, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was. given; by Father Dowling, , , On Wednesday afternoon the children took occasion to pay honor to the venerable prioress, under whose charge they had spent such happy times,., and Rev, Mother was entertained by the children of the four,combined convent schools to, a very enjoyable concert .V. The first part of the programme was occupied with ' making the numerous presentations from the children and Sisters. These gifts, included numerous floral bouquets of divers shapes in white and gold blooms and. streamers en.suite. Perhaps the prettiest of all was a large floral bell, so arranged as to ring out best wishes to the recipient. She also received many handsome . specimens of fancy work and, painting, the work of the pupils and Sisters, and several substantial monetary gifts from the children, which are to be devoted to the erection of a grotto of our Lady of Lourdes, in memory of this great "occasion. Addresses of congratulation were given by Father Dowling and ' Mr. W. J. McGrath, after which Rev. Mother made suitable response, thanking all for their kindly expressions,. and extending best wishes and blessings to all. A lengthy programme of the choicest items in music, song, elocution, and dance was contributed. The. items were all worthy of special mention, the children having spared not their, energies to bring about the success of the entertainment. The “Fan” dance, the “Rose and Butterfly” dance, and not forgetting the “Marseillaise,” the vocalists wearing the national costume,-and singing in French, were very attractive items. Subsequent,to the entertainment, the smaller children, numbering about 300, were entertained to afternoon tea in the courtyard, where a very happy picture was presented as the little ones did justice to the delicious viands spread before them. At 6 p.m. a grand dinner was held in the schoolroom, when* about 150 guests, including Fathers Tymons and Dowling, Brothers Paul, Henrique, and Donatus, the Children of Mary, and High School and Maori boarders, were entertained. The tables were

exquisitely decorated with the appropriate gold and white (the keynote throughout), flowers, ribbons, and electrical effects, the jubilee cake being set in the centre. The bell, horseshoe; and other floral tributes were arranged overhead in centre also. During the dinner, which was a source of much delight to the participants, brief addresses were again - delivered by Fathers. Tymons and Dowling. Subsequently the Children of Mary presented Rev. Mother with a monetary gift towards the grotto. The hall was cleared, and many of the concert items were repeated for the benefit of the - adults. A brief dancing .programme was also indulged in, and a highly successful celebration was brought to a fitting conclusion with best wishes for the venerable jubilarian’s future health and prosperity. h Rev. Mother was the recipient of congratulatory messages and gifts from .various parts of the'Dominion. The Napier Convent, holds the honor of having had the only two jubilariaus in the Institute of Notre Dame des Missions, in New Zealand at their convent, they being Rev. Mother Mary, whose jubilee has just been celebrated, and Mother M. St. Ignatius, who celebrated her jubilee about three years ago.