The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-03-21

noting these meetings, which keep
the Catholic Faith alive and active
among the Maoris. A large number
of conversions to the Catholic Faith
have already been the result of such
fruits are hoped for the future. A
mere spectator finds unfeigned pleas
ure and delight in simply viewing the
joy, the harmony, the genial fraternal
charity which dominate and pervade
these reunions. The looks, the &C
cents, the beaming faces of old and
young sufficiently reflect the interior
grace and pure happiness of the as
sembled crowd.
Maori Confirmation.
On Sunday, December 2Sth, after
the II o'clock Mass, the Archbishop
confirmed a large number of Maori
candidates, between fifty and hun
dred. A short address on the effects
of the Sacrament was delivered by his
Grace and interpreted by Rev. Father
Vibeau, S. NJ, who acted as interpret
er to the Archbishop on the various
occasions of his speeches to the as
sembled Maoris.. A very large and
solid concrete pedestal has just been
erected for the metal statue of St.
Peter, on Karaka Hill, at the expense
of TIE Ara, Catholic Maori chieftain-
ess of considerable influence, who is
proud to wear the fine cross presented
to her by Pope Plus the Tenth on one
of the Archbishop's visits to Rome.
The Archbishop took occasion of
this ceremony of specially blessing
this pedestal to again impress upon
the Catholic Maoris the depth and
Importance of the doctrine conveyed
to them by this statue of st. Peter.
Marking a Missionary's Grave.
During this ceremony the new papal
flag was hoisted on it's high mast
where it f1oated Respondent in the
rays of the afternoon summer sun.
Another touching and significant mon
ument is erected on Karaka Hill, the
high cross over the grave of late Fa-
Their Cognet, S. NJ, so dear to the ma
tives for his zeal and affection, and
for the able works which he wrote in
the Maori language for all the Catho-
lie Maoris This was blessed by the
Archbishop and appropriate prayers
for the deceased missionaries, partic-
ularly Father Comte, were sung and
recited. In his speech before the
statue of st. Peter, his Grace referred
feelingly to two facts most touching
for the Maoris:
(1 The fact that the spot where
the ashes of Father Cognet repose is
the very place on which stood for
years the first Catholic church erected
in the Otaki District; (2) the fact that
the small Maori house erected close
by on the same hill, occupies the very
site of the residence of Father Comte
the first Catholic missioner to the
Otaki Maoris Appropriate hymns
were sung at these interesting spots
and then the crowd came down to
the lawn, where an extensive photo
graphic group of the Clergy and Cath
Ollie gathering was taken. So ended
the outdoor ceremonies of this event
full day.
A Maori Lourdes.
At half past six a short Benediction
) of the Most Blessed Sacrament took
place in the church, and then prepa
rations on an extensive scale were
made for the celebrations in honour
of the Immaculate Virgin Mother Of
God, before the Grotto of Lourdes
This Grotto was beautifully illuminat
of it, and the lawn below were suff
GENTLY lit up. The Maoris, men anG
women, had gathered in goodly mum
bers round a harmonium and sang
several hymns with great fervour anG
excellent effect. Then Dean Regnault
preached very interesting sermon
well interpreted by Father Vibeau, il
which he gave a full and connected
narrative of the apparitions of Oul
Lady to the privileged child, Berna
dette Soubirous, and the words which
passed between them, till the day
came, the 25th of March, day of the
Annunciation, when the Blessed Vir
gin said to the child: 81 am the I'm
maculate Conception" The discourse
was followed by other hymns in honor
} of Mary Immaculate, and the illu
} limitations we're completed, all Karaks
} Hill being lit up as we'll as the GrottC
of Lourdes and a most brilliant cross
recalling the cross which appeared
to the Emperor Constantine, leading
!, to his victory over the tyrant, Maxen
thus, and the edict of peace for the
whole Church, published at Milan
, The effect was equally varied ant
; charming, and thus all the religious
: celebrations of the day were brough
, to most effective close
A Maori Assembly.
Later on Maori meeting was helt
in the principal guest-house. Now ;
Maori meeting in the guest-house is /;
, strange and picturesque affair and i
is perhaps a picture of genuine ant
practical democracy hard to surpass