Institute of Notre Dame des Missions

New Zealand Tablet, 29 September 1921, Page 37

Institute of Notre Dame des Missions

DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS IN CHRISTCHURCH.

The diamond jubilee of the founding of the Institute of Notre Dame des Missions was celebrated with becoming ceremony at Christchurch, the Provincial Mcther-house of the institute in New Zealand. High Mass was celebrated in the Convent chapel, Rev. Father Hanrahan, Adm., officiating. His Lordship Bishop Brodie, preached the occasional sermon, dwelling at some length on the faith and zeal which inspired the holy Foundress, Mother Marie Coeur de Jesus, to undertake such a great work as the founding of an Institute which was to send missionaries to the furthest parts of the earth. Her work had been visibly blessed by God, and the Sisters had every reason to be proud and grateful for the noble vocation which called them to follow in her footsteps. After Mass the pupils, who had all received Holy Communion in the chapel in honor of the great occasion, repaired to a repast specially prepared for them in the High School. The room had been decorated and the tables set out in banquet form, the whole giving a very pleasing effect. A striking feature of the celebrations was the entertainment given by the pupils to the Sisters and other visitors, the elaborate and wellprepared programme being carried out with marked success. His Lordship the Bishop and several of the clergy were present, and all expressed great satisfaction at the enjoyment afforded them by the pupils' efforts. In the evening the convent and the grounds were brilliantly illuminated, festoons of lights, rockets, and colored fire forming emblems appropriate to the occasion, the whole making a display not likely to be forgotten by those who witnessed it. On the following morning there was a Profession ceremony in the chapel, when two Sisters pronounced their first vows. His Lordship the Bishop, officiated, and again preached the occasional sermon as also at the afternoon ceremony, when five postulants received the Holy Habit. The Bishop and the attendant clergy were then entertained as guests of the * community. A picnic at the sea-side, in which all the pupils participated, terminated the happy proceedings.

In connection with the above celebrations it is intended to bring out, shortly, a commemorative publication, which will be well-illustrated and contain fuller accounts of the proceedings as well as other interesting matter, and also a chronicle of similar celebrations at the other pioneer convents of the Order. It is anticipated that many of the pupils and friends of the Sisters will gladly avail themselves of the opportunity of obtaining such an appropriate memorial of the great work done by the Sisters of Notre Dame des Missions during the many years their Institute has been laboring in New Zealand.