His Excellency the Apostolic Delagate

New Zealand Tablet, 10 November 1921, Page 17

His Excellency the Apostolic Delagate

His Excellency the Most Rev. Bartholemew Cattaneo, D.D., LL.D., titular Archbishop of Palmyra, and Apostolic Delegate to Australasia, arrived at Dunedin on Thursday evening by the first express- from the North. His Excellency was accompanied by his Lordship Dr. Whyte, Bishop of Dunedin, and Rev. Dr. Farrelly, secretary to the Delegation, and Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay, V.G., who joined the party at Oamaru. On arrival at the Dunedin station,.. where a very large crowd had assembled, his Excellency was met in the reserved carriage in which he,travelled, by Very Rev. Father Coffey, Rev. Fathers Delany, Morkane, Collins, Silk, Graham, McLoughlin, Marlow, and Rooney, and members of the lay reception committee, and was accorded an enthusiastic welcome. His Lordship Bishop Whyte was also warmly welcomed on his return from Sydney. ~ After arrival of the party by motor cars at the Bishop's Palace, where a hearty welcome was accorded the distin-guished-visitor, the Apostolic Delegate and the clergy came in processional order to £j.t. Joseph's Cathedral, a guard of honor being formed at the entrance by members, of the Hibernian Society, in regalia. His Lordship Bishop Whyte proceeded from the sanctuary to the Cathedral entrance to meet his Excellency. The choir sang the "Ecce Sacerdos Magnus" while the procession approached the sanctuary, and from the high altar the Apostolic Delegate imparted the Papal blessing. Having vested, and attended by Rev. Fathers Kaveney and Spillane, as deacon and sub-deacon respectively, Very Rev. Father Coffey being master of ceremonies, his Excellency officiated at Pontifical Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. After the singing of the "0 Salutaris" the "Te Deum" was rendered by the choir. Address of Welcome The Blessed Sacrament having been removed, his Lordship Bishop Whyte, in the presence of members of the reception committee, read and presented the following address : ADDRESS to HIS EXCELLENCY BARTHOLOMEW CATTANEO, . D.D., LL.D., ARCHBISHOP OF PALMYRA, DELEGATE APOSTOLIC TO AUSTRALASIA, from THE BISHOP, PRIESTS, AND LAITY OF THE DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN. May it Please Your Excellency.

We, the Bishop, Priests, and Laity of the Diocese of Dunedin, with one voice, in the expressive language of our fathers, give you a Cead Mile Failtc to our Cathedral City. We assure you that we recognise and highly appreciate the honor you confer upon us by your visit.

Disit to smnefcin. M Enthusiastic Welcome H Series of pleasing functions in Ibis Ibonor

The eminent success that has attended your labors for the Church, as Rector of that great missionary College ' —the Propaganda— and for the past four years, as Delegate Apostolic to Australasia, is well known to us. We welcome you, therefore, as a distinguished ruler and leader in the Church Militant, whose work and worth have been well established. Especially do we welcome you as the representative of Our Holy Father Benedict XV., whose Ambassador you are, sent to guide, by your experience and """wise counsels, the Church in these far southern lands. ""We recognise the heavy burden of responsibility that rests on the shoulders of the Pope, who, under the Holy Ghost, steers the "Barque of Peter" over the turbulent waters of the present age. , s~ JMay we ask your Excellency to make known to the Holy Father that, though the farthest removed from the

centre of Catholicity, nowhere in that vast kingdom upon which the sun never sets will he find a people more attached to his person and office. We regret that your stay is to be so short atnongst us, as wo should like you to see, for yourself, the progress of religion in every parish, to see the seed so recently sown, blossoming into a rich harvest, and to witness the truly Catholic spirit that lives in the hearts of the people. We pray that God may bless your work, that your visit may give fresh impetus to religion in the Diocese, and that it may strengthen that bond of unity which is the characteristic of our Holy Church. 1 With loyal affection we subscribe ourselves your obedient .servants in Christ. »5 James Whyte, Bishop of Dunedin*. Monsignor John Mackay. J. J. Marlow. ) t> ~ _ _ _ , f Representing D.L.POPPELWELI, \ L . t , T. J. Htjssey. J y Very Rev. J. Coffey, Chairman of Committee. H. K. Poppelwell, ' Hon. Secretary. Father Coffey presented the delegate with a hand-somely-bound volume of views of Dunedin and Otago.

The Delegate's Reply His Excellency the Apostolic Delegate, in his reply, said it gave him great pleasure and happiness to be with the Bishop, clergy, and laity of the diocese of Dunedin. Everywhere in Australasia he had met the greatest kindness and most cordial of welcomes. He attributed this not to any personal qualities of hisfor he recognised his own limitations—but to the sincere love and loyalty to the Holy See of the Catholics of Australasia. He* was particularly gratified by the Dunedin Catholics manifestation of loyalty to His Holiness the Pope, though this was already well known to him. His Excellency went on to say that he felt bound by particularly strong ties of affection to the Dunedin Diocese, since he first made its acquaintance in its sorrow on the occasion of the death of the late revered Bishop M..Verdon. Nothing so united us as sorrow, and consequently his Excellency admitted that' if he had a preference for any diocese in New Zealand that preference was for Dunedin. His Excellency went on to say that, though he grieved with Dunedin in its loss, he sincerely rejoiced with it in the appointment of the present esteemed Bishop of the Diocese, his Lordship Dr. Whyte. His stay among them was to be short, indeed, but he felt confident that as their first meeting had taken place before the Blessed Sacrament his stay would be very happy, both to himself and to the people. Had circumstances allowed he would have visited New Zealand earlier; but __ there was this compensation for the —that, as he was in a few months to visit Rome, he won I '.!-bear with him, fresh in mind ,the memory of the love and loyalty of the New Zealand Catholics. He assured his hearers that he would 9 be delighted to give his Holiness a full-account 'of his New Zealand visit, and that he would always remember then) in the Holy Mass and in his prayers in the shrines of Roin«'« His Excellency concluuded by again expressing his gratitude to the Bishop, priests, and people for their cordial reception, and by asking from all a remembrance in prayer. Of the diocesan clergy present to meet the Apostolic Delegate, besides those already motioned, were Rev. Fathers' Howard (Milton), O'Reilly (Port Chalmers), P. J. O'Neill (Riversdale), Kavanagh (Palmerston), Hunt (Alex-andar),-»and O'Dea (Omakau).

' Visit to the Dominican Priory and Schools Friday, the 4th inst., the Feast of St. Charles Borromeo, will be for ever memorable in the annals. of St. Dominic's Priory as the day on which our Holy Father's direct representative, the Most Rev. Bartholomew Cattaneo, celebrated Holy Mass in the Sisters' Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Kneeling there in the stillness of the early morning, with the first rays of tho sun resting lovingly on the head of the venerated Prelate as he stood at the altar of God, while the voices of the nuns rose reverently in union with the infinite pleading of the Sacred Victim in the Holy Mass, all present were thrilled by the thought that here, so far from the centre of Christendom, they knelt, as it were, in the presence of the Holy Father, and received his personal blessing from the hands of his

Delegate. After breakfast, his Excellency expressed a wish to meet the whole community, whom he graciously received with most fatherly kindness, showing a sympathetic interest in the welfare of all.

During the forenoon, the Most Rev. visitor, accompanied by the Right Rev. Dr. Whyte, Monsignor Mackay, and several of the clergy, visited the Dominican Schools, beginning with St. Joseph’s Parochial School. Here the children sang a pretty chorus of welcome, for which his Excellency thanked them warmly ; he passed in and out among the little ones laying his consecrated hands on their heads. '

His Excellency then went to the college, going through all the classes, from the kindergarten to those of the higher students; ho showed keen interest in the work being done, and even in the text books in use, and he won the hearts of all the children by his benevolent manner and quick appreciation of each expression of loyalty to their Mother Church, and to the Holy Father as represented by himself. The visit was closed by an assemblage of the students in the study hall, the enthusiastic singing of the “Hymn for the Pope,” and the blessing of the children by his Excellency. With Sympathetic* knowledge of child-nature. Dr. Cattaneo also granted a three-days’ holiday to be given at the discretion of the teachers.

In the evening of this golden day, his Excellency, his Lordship the Bishop, Dr, Farrelly, the diocesan clergy, and the Christian Brothers were invited to an entertainment given by the pupils of the nuns. The clergy present were: Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay, Very. Rev. J. Coffey, Adm., and Revs. G. Hunt, J. O’Dea, M. Howard, J. Delany, O. Morkane, P. J. O’Neill, D. Silk. J. McLaughlin, M. Spillane, and F. Marlow. The following programme was rendered: — Orchestral selection, “Dainty Dance.” Misses E. Fraser, P. Hawcridge, A. and G. Thompson, A. Sligo, G. Beath, M. Goughian (violins), W. Hawcridge (’cello), M. Hart (triangle), and E. Mllloav (piano) part songs, “Hark the Lark” and “Blow, Blow, 'Thou Winter Wind,” Misses Sweeney (2), Todd (2), O’Sullivan (2). Hart (2), Cullen (2), Craighead, O’Shea, Toomey, Atkinson, Hardy, Inder, Lundon, McGrath, Goughian, McKenzie, Prichard, and Brennssel ; piano solo, “La Danse (Fs Lutins,” Roberta. Simpson; vocal solo, “Ave Maria,” N. O’Sullivan (violin obbligato, E. Fraser); piano duet, “Fandango,” N. Spiers and R. Simpson; instrumental trio, “Serenade,” Misses P. Hawcridge (violin), W. HaAvcridge (’cello), and E. Mllloav (piano); vocal solo, “The Bird With the Broken Wing,” M. Craighead. The programme concluded with the sacred drama, “St. Catherine of Alexandria,” the characters in which were filled by the following: E. Dowdall, R. McGrath, IT. Lundon, and Veronica Inder. The accompanists were Misses Millow and Spiers. At the conclusion of the drama, all the artists, united

with the young collegians, who were grouped cn masse below the stage, sang with enthusiasm the “Song for the Pope.” Then one of the senior students, Adelina McGrath, came forward, and in the name of the pupils recited an address to his Excellency. In his reply the distinguished Prelate was warm in his appreciation of the beautiful sentiments expressed in the. address. It would be a joy to him, on his approaching visit to Rome, to convey to Benedict XV. the assurance of their fidelity to Holy Church and their love and veneration for the Vicar of Christ. His Excellency said that before coming to New Zealand ho had heard much of the high degree of culture attained by the Dominican pupils in Otago his expectations, therefore, had been great, yet what ho had heard that evening went beyond his expectations. The vocal and instrumental music to which he had been listening had given him very great pleasure; no true Italian could be without the love of music as an ennobling and uplifting art. He complimented especially the piano soloist and the ’cellist. But if the music had been delightful,

what must be said of the drama I. By it, not only lofty emotions were aroused, but high 'moral lessons were taught. The young Christian philosopher, St. Catherine, spoke of

the harmony that exists between science and religion. This is a truth to bo pondered over; science is the 3 handmaid of faith. As Dante says, “Theology is the daughter, science the niece, of God.” The Catholic Church has ever fostered and encouraged learning. No sincere Catholic should be afraid of studying deeply and widely, always guided by the light of religion. The girl-students before him must aim at the highest, and always put forth their best efforts in every branch of study. Another lesson taught by this beautiful drama was one as valuable now as in the early days of Christianity all must be prepared to suffer, even perhaps to die, for their faith. ’Referring once more to the pupils’ address, his Excellency said that, when, next year, he would visit the Holy Father, whilst assuring him of their love and loyalty, he would also speak to his Holiness of this his own first visit to the Dominican Schools in New Zealand, and of the excellence of the entertainment given him by the students. v

Visit of His Excellencyt o South Dunedin Friday last, the occasion of the visit of Most Rev. Archbishop Cattaneo, Apostolic Delegate to Australasia, was a day of joy for the* Sisters of Mercy and their pupils. The grounds, around which were grouped the children, presented a gay appearance, with scrolls, flags, bunting, and floral decorations, the Papal white and gold being conspicuous. Over the main entrance a graceful Papal flag floated. His Excellency was accompanied by Right Rev. Dr. Whyte, Right Rev. Monsignor Mackay, V.G., Rev. Dr. Farrelly, (Secretary to tho Delegation), f Very Rev. J. Coffey, Adm., Very Rev. G. M. Hunt (Alexandra), Rev. Fathers P. O'Dea (Omakau), P. J. O'Neill (Riversdale), and D. V. Silk (Holy Cross College). On arrival the distinguished visitors were welcomed by Rev. Fathers Delany, Graham, Rooney, and the nuns. Having received the Apostolic Benediction the children sang a. chorus of welcome, alter which Miss Leila Campbell, on behalf of the pupils of the South Dunedin Catholic schools, delivered the following address: To the Most Reverend Bartholomew Cattaneo, Archbishop of Palmyra, from the Children of St. Patrick's Parish, South Dunedin. May it please your Excellency, Years ago a Pope sent the patron of our schools to the Irish people, and St. Patrick taught them they must be true to Romey just as they must be true to Christianity. The Irish people learnt the lesson so well that through the centuries nq. land has been more loyal to the Pope than the Island of Saints and Scholars. The Irish priests who came to preach the Gospel in New Zealand taught our lathers and mothers the same lesson of loyalty to Rome, saying as Patrick said long ago: "Be Roman as you are Christian — Ut Christian'!, ita cf. Uomani sitis" —our present pastors instil the same lesson.

Therefore we claim the right on this joyful occasion to welcome your Excellency a" young Romans who are receiving a visit from the representative of the Vicar of Christ, the Pope of Rome. And if your Excellency could see into our hearts, you would find there affection and fidelity as lively as could bo found even under the shadow of St. Peter’s dome itself.

Like those who have gone before us, we have learned to love Rome and to regard our holy faith as our greatest treasure. And, while we can more than hold our own in examinations, we recognise that Ave are receiving in the religious instruction given us by our devoted teachers that true education which the secular schools cannot give, and that we are thus being prepared to live on earth lives pleasing to God and worthy of our grand Catholic tradition.',. -

The recollection of this memorable visit will remain always with us, and it will remind us constantly to pray that God may reward and bless your Excellency's great work for His Holy Church in Australia and New Zealand. With heartfelt assurances of loyalty and love, we beg your Excellency to accept our little spiritual bouquet and to bless our pastors, our teachers, our schools, our friends, find ourselves— ✓•■'.' Your devoted children of St. Patrick's Parish. On behalf of the" children Miss Mary Poppejwell presented his Excellency with the spiritual bouquet. The "Hymn for the Pope" having been feelingly sung, Archbishop Cattaneo thanked the children for the enthusiastic welcome they had given him as the ambassador of the Holy Father. He felt sure that their address, expressing warm sentiments of loving veneration for his Holiness the Pope, came from their hearts. This welcome from

the children of St. Patrick's parish would always remain in his memory. He wished them all every blessing and granted them three holidays. At the magic word "holidays" the children applauded heartily and all joined in three cheers for the Delegate. Before leaving, his Excellency, Dr. Whyte,' and the visiting clergy were shown over the convent, college, orphanage, and schools; Archbishop Cattaneo expressed his pleasure with all he saw. On Saturday morning his Excellency celebrated Holy Mass for the community in the convent chapel, at which the boarders and the orphans had the privilege of assisting. All received Holy Communion from his hands. Visit to the Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Anderson's Bay On Saturday morning, his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate, accompanied by his Lordship Bishop' Whyte, Very Bev. Father Coffey, Adm., Bev. Dr. Farrelly (Secretary to the Delegation), Bev. Fathers Delany and Rodney, arrived at the Sacred Heart Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Anderson's Bay,, at' about half-past nine. An artistic arch of welcome was erected over the main gateway and the entrance to the Home was appropriately decor-

in Paradise. The Apostolic Delegate then visited the various parts of the Home, spending a short time in the infirmaries, where the invalids were provided with dolcies (sweets), accompanied with a kind word for each. Then came his Excellency's good-bye, leaving the Sisters and the good old people a grateful remembrance of his paternal solicitude for the welfare of Our Lord's beloved poor. Visit to Holy Cross College, Mosgiel His Excellency the Apostolic Delegate arrived at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, at mid-day and was received in the beautiful college grounds by the staff and students of the college, who greeted the distinguished visitor with hearty cheers. Over the entrance to the college grounds the students had erected a very pleasing arch of welcome, while the Papal flag flew over the main building. After several photographs had been taken, Archbishop Cattaneo paid a visit to the chapel and expressed himself as delighted with it. He was keenly interested in the very fine sancturay, a memorial to the late Father McMenamin, chaplain to the Dominion Forces, who lost his life at Messines. The college refectory, whre luncheon was served, was decorated with the Papal flag and colors. After luncheon his Excel-

ated in ep i scop a Ivcolor s. His Excellency was greeted on arrival by the ringing of the chapel bell, and was received by the Good Mother and Sisters of the community. Proceeding to the chapel, Archbishop Cattaneo knelt on a prie-dieu while the Sisters’ choir sang the “Magnificat.” From thence he was shown to the reception-room, which was tastefully decorated in Papal colors for the occasion, and where the old people were assembled to bid his Excellency a hearty welcome. Mr. D. Marr, an inmate of the Home, read an appropriately worded address on behalf of the community and aged people, to which his Excellency responded in very touching terms, thanking them all for the address which had just been read. He was (In said) most grateful to Father Coffey for having arranged the visit, for it was always a great pleasure for him to visit the Homes of the Little Sisters wherever they were established, and he was pleased to be in their midst that day. His Excellency said that he had seen many Homes of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Italy and elsewhere —some very beautiful but he had never seen any so beautifully situated as the one of Dunedin. It is a real paradise (he said), and he felt sure that they were preparing in peace and contentment for the eternal paradise, not only. by the help and kindness of the Sisters but in helping eack other by their good example of, charity and patience in bearing the infirmities of old age; as indeed old age is in itself a malady. In concluding his Excellency distributed tobacco, sweets, etc., to the old people, and before imparting his blessing he said as they might never meet again on this earth they must all strive, with the grace of God, to meet ' . . ' > • if

lency inspected the college and the grounds, and was then entertained by the students with a short concert. Rev. Father Morkane (rector of the college) welcomed his Excellency, and expressed the sincere gratitude of the professors and students for the signal honor conferred on Holy Cross by the visit of the ambassador of the Hply Father. Even the famous Urban College (he said) did not rival Holy Cross in devotion and loyalty to the Holy See. Father Morkane concluded by asking his Excellency to offer His Holiness the Pope the sincere tribute of loving obedience of one of the youngest and most remote from Rome of the world’s seminaries. An address from the staff and students was then read by the Rev. James Fenton, senior prefect. His Excellency, who charmed all by his happy reply and valued counsel, said he was particularly pleased to be a guest at Holy Cross College, of which he had so long heard such excellent reports. He made graceful reference to the noble example left the students by the life and death of Father McMenamin, and exhorted the students to prepare themselves to the best of their 'power for their great work as the future pastors of'New Zealand. His Excellency gave an assurance that he would be glad to give a report to the Holy Father “of the excellent spirit and work of the College of Holy Cross.' , Shortly afterwards the Apostolic Delegate motored away amid the cheers of the students, who will long remember the happy visit of his Excellency.

At the Christian Brothers' School On Friday morning his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate visited the Christian Brothers', School, accompanied by his Lordship the Bishop, Very Rev. Father Coffey A dm., and others of the clergy, where he received an enthusiastic welcome from the teaching staff and pupils. Garden Party at St. Dominic's Priory Favored with an afternoon of glorious sunshine and just. sufficient breeze to stir the profusion of flags and bunting of varied hues with which the courts were overhung, the garden party in the grounds of St. Dominic's Priory on Saturday, in honor of the visit to Dunedin of his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate, was not atone a pronounced success but also a most pleasurable function. There was a very large attendance, the terraces and flat spaces presenting an animated scene —in fact quite a gala appearance. An efficient orchestra,, under the conductorship of Mr. Petitt, discoursed delightful music, while at intervals St. Joseph's Cathedral Choir and individual memxbers thereof rendered several vocal numbers. A number of energetic ladies handed round afternoon . tea, with its concomitant dainties. Members of the Hibernian Society, conspicuous in their bright green regalia were on hand to render whatever services were required, as were also those of the reception committee who already had accomplished much necessary work in decorating the. grounds and carrying out general details. His Excellency, accompanied by his Lordship Dr. Whyte and several of the clergy, immediately after his arrival from Mosgiel, moved among the crowd, greeting as many as could conveniently be met. Ho afterwards, accompanied by Bishop Whyte, Very Rev. Father Coffey, and Rev. Father Delany, ascended a nicely arranged dais erected in a sheltered position; decorated in white and gold with the Papal flag as a back ground, and suitably furnished.' Later, what appeared to be an interminable queue of those present under the guidance of Very Rev. Father Coffey (who also made the necessary individual introductions) met his Excellency, who stood

on the lower step of the dais. Although the ordeal must have been a fairly trying one, few, if any, passed without a kindly greeting from Archbishop Cattaneo. The enthusiasm of the people was a striking evidence of their love and veneration for Our Holy Father the Pope and for his illustrious representative. St. Joseph's Cathedral His Excellency the Apostolic Delegate was celebrant of the Jialf-past seven o'clock Mass on Sunday -at. Sn. Joseph's Cathedral in the presence of a crowded congregation. He was attended by the Rev. Dr. Farrelly (Secretary to the Delegation). Practically the whole of the congregation, including the- Children of Mary in regalif-, and the boys of the Christian Brothers' School, wearing red sashes, approached the Holy Table, and the sight was a most inspiring ona. Although the Most Rev. Archbishop Cattaneo gave Holy Communion to very many, so numerous were the communicants that he had to be assisted by the Very Rev. Father Coffey. His Excellency presided on the throne at Solemn High Mass at eleven o'clock. Rev. Father Morkane (rector of Holy Cross College, Mosgiel) was celebrant, Rev. Fathers Kaveney and Silk, deacon and subdeacon respectively, and Very Rev. Father Coffey, master of ceremonies. Rev. Dr. Farrelly and Rev. Father Soillane were deacons.-of honor at the throne. His Lords"lip Bishop Whyte was present in the sanctuary and preached. His Lordship, from the text "Lord, to whom shall we go: Thou hast the word of eternal life" (John, vi., 69), spoke in part as follows: These words were spoken by St. Peter on a certain occasion described in the sixth chapter of the Gospel according to St. John. Our Lord had just made a promise to leave His Flesh and Blood to be the food and drink of His followers. Many of His disciples said this saying is hard: who can bear it? and many went away and walked no more with Dim. Our Lord turned to the twelve and said "Will you also go away?" St. Peter answered, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." Why do I select this text for my remarks this morning? The answer is because to-day we have with us the Apostolic Delegate, the direct representative of Pope Benedict XV., who is the successor of St. Peter and the Vicar of Christ. Before Our Saviour left this world He established a Church.

That Church He promised would last till the end of time; that the gates of hell would never overcome it or prevail against it, for He would be with it, and with it to protect it We Catholics say, to what other authority are Ave to appeal for knowledge that leads to salvation if not to the Church which He established to take His place? Had Our Saviour intended that Ave should be our own guide in religion, had He.wished us to make our own form of belief, had He intended that Ave should—each one of us — sufficient for himself, He would have told us so, and He would not have set up special teachers, He would not have established a Church. Instead, however, of, entrusting everything to ourselves,- He founded a Church, He appointed a head, giving him extensive authority, saying to him, "I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: Feed My lambs, feed My sheep." We Catholics believe that the Catholic Church was established by Christ, and that St. Peter was the first head, and that his place as head is now taken by Pope Benedict XV. And hence this morning I. say in presence of his representative, now seated on the Bishop's throne, that Ave acknowledge Pope Benedict as the head of the Church, and only Church, established by Jesus Christ our Saviour. To whom, then, shall we turn for guidance? To what religious authority can we give our allegiance but Benedict, now happily ruling the Church of Christ; for he has the words of eternal life ? Tho faith of Catholics, who number about 300 millions, is no blind unreasoning faith. It is in full agreement with reason, not in conflict with it. The Catholic reasons with himself in this manner: God exists, for my reason convinces me of His existence. He made a revelation of Himself to man and sent a messenger to earth. Of this messenger the book, called" the Bible, gives me much information. J examine this book and find it worthy of credence and reliable. That book tells me that the messenger sent from heaven was God, for the book is historically accurate and it tells me that, by His own power, He raised Himself from the dead. I learn also from that historical work that this Divine .messenger established a Church and endowed it with authority to teach in His name and therefore to teach the truth and only the truth, and that it was to last till the end of the world and that it was to be limited only by the bounds of the earth. Whatever, then, this Church bids me believe, I must believe under the penalty of disobedience to its Founder who was God and who had said, "He that heareth you, heareth Me." That Church tells me that Peter was made head of the society by Our Lord Himself, that the keys of heaven were entrusted to him and that he was to teach the whole flock, pastors and people, for Christ commanded him to do so when He said, "Feed Mv lambs, feed my sheep." Briefly stated, then, the Catholic says: Christ was God (for He proved it by his Resurrection); He established a Church —only one Church —that Church must be divine; He gave if authority to teach in His name; He promised to be always with it so that the gates of hell, the powers of hell, should never overcome or conquer it; He would therefore protect it from teaching error, for if it did teach error the gates of hell would have prevailed against it; it would last always, for He said He would be with it till the consummation of the world. That is our belief, my dear people—yours and mine—and that belief it is that gives us that great confidence that if Ave are faithful on earth to our belief and everything it involves, Ave shall be happy with God for ever in heaven. In the many addresses presented to his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate during the few days he has already spent in the Dominion, he has been asked to assure his august master. Benedict XV., of our loyalty to his throne and person. Both his Excellency and his Holiness the Pope are well aware of our attachment to the Holy See. The gifted writer of the "Song for the Pope" said: Over all the orb no land more true than our own old Catholic land. Through ages of blood to the Rock hath stood, Oh ! true may she ever stand.

If that is true of Ireland, it is true also of all the Englishspeaking countries in which the scattered sons and daughters of Ireland have found a home. Ireland’s allegiance to Rome and the faith has never wavered even for a moment. St. Patrick went to Ireland with the blessing and the sanction of Pope Celestine. The land became Catholic in a short time from end to end. Irish missionaries were soon able to spread the faith over'Western Europe. France, Belgium, Switzerland, and even Italy early benefited by the zeal of those learned and saintly missionaries. Traces of their enduring work are still discernible in the names of patrons of churches and towns in many parts of Europe. Successive Popes, remembering their obligation to Ireland, sent to her help of various kinds when the sword of persecution was dripping with the blood’ of her martyrs.

And Ireland never forgot her duty to the Holy See. Rather than abandon their fidelity to Peter, the Irish people in their darkest days sacrificed their wealth and even their lives. Who, then, or what can separate us from Rome? Neither life nor death, nor poverty nor -affliction can divide us. The Irish people of to-day, Irish either by birth or by descent, appreciate the gallant fight of their ancestors for the faith. That faith has come down to us as a precious heirloom, and here in the southern seas our professions of loyalty to the faith ring as true as in Ireland itself. We are proud of our line of supreme pontiffs stretching back in a long array to the days of St. Peter. Amongst them we recognise some two score who laid down their lives for the faith of Christ and an equal number whose sanctity gave them a. place amongst the canonised confessors of Holy Church. Coming down to our own times, wo honor the memory of Leo XIII. for many reasons, one of which is his fatherly interest in the working classes. Bead his Encyclical on ''Labor," which has been styled the "Magna Charta of tho rights of Labor," and you will see that,, nobleman though he was by family, he was at heart a democrat and keenly grieved for the social conditions which placed so heavy a burden upon the weak shoulders of the toiling multitude. Wis successor, Pius X., was noble, not because of descent from the aristocracy, but because he belonged to the aristocracy of brains and virtue. He aimed at restoring all things in Christ (after the example and uifder the inspiration of St. Paul) and left a record of work done which will long continue to bear fruit.

And what shall T say of tho present august occupant of the papal throne? As in examining a large edifice, we fail to see its huge proportions if we stand close to it, so in appraising tin* worth of Pope Benedict, we are too close to realise its sterling qualities. "What he accomplished (luring the fearful ravages of tho war, Ave cannot see for the smoke of the battle which has not yet been dissipated. His tender heart has been bruised and wounded by the useless carnage that has devastated the world. His statesmanship, which he was ready to lay at the feet of Europe, has not been accepted, and that refusal has been to the great injury of a peaceful settlement of a bewildered world. .It is a consolation to his kind fatherly heart to know fiat his children throughout the world sympathise with him in the evil days through which he is passing. His representative, whom it is an honor to us to be allowed these days to honor, can with genuine sincerity assure him that here, at the uttermost end of the earth, almost under the shadow of the South Pole, we are watching with filial interest his efforts to alleviate the distress that is now afflicting many parts of his extensive dominions. It will please him to hear of our loyalty to the throne of Peter, of the strong faith and fervent piety of our people, to hear of the gallant army of our religious teachers implanting the faith in the hearts of our little ones, to hear of the enlightened . zeal and generous sacrifices of our priests in these southern latitudes, and of the strong bond of union joining together with hoops of steel bishops, uriesfs, religions, and people, and of our undiminished fidelity to the tiith of our fathers, to God. our Father in Heaven, and to himself, our Father on earth.

At the conclusion of Mass liis Excellency imparted the Apostolic Blessing. The music, very capably rendered by the choir, was Gounod's "No, 3 Mass." Mr. A. Vallis conducted and Mr. F. Stokes was organist. The high altar was tastefully adorned, while the rear of the altar and throne and the pulpit were draped in the papal gold and white. There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from the eleven o'clock Mass. Long before the hour appointed for evening devotions the Cathedral was crowded, and by 6.30 o'clock every available space was thronged. His Excellency again presided at the throne, attended by Rev. Dr. Farrelly and Rev. M. Spillane, with Very Rev. Father Coffey as master of ceremonies. His Lordship the Bishop was present in'the sanctuary. After Compline, at which Rev. Father Kayeney officiated, a fine discourse on the Blessed Sacrament was delivered by Rev. Father Morkane (rector of Holy Cross College). Prior to Pontifical Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament the choir sang the "Ave Verum" (Mozart). Probably the largest procession yet seen in the Cathedral was, participated in by the men ruid bovs of the congregation, a number of little flower girls immediately preceding the canopy raised above the Sacred Host borne by the Apostolic Delegate. The ceremonies of the day were, throughout, most impressive, and marked an important event in the history of the Church in this diocese that will be long remembered. His Excellency, accompanied by his Lordship Bishop Whyte, Very Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., and Rev. Dr. Farrelly, left on Monday morning for Queenstown, and is expected to return from the Lakes District to Dunedin on .Wednesday night. '