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A CATHOLIC WEEKLY
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PERTH, SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1935.
SANCTUARY
SIXTY-FIRST YEAR.
A FRAGMENT
There is, at the confluence of Haystreet and Victoria Avenue, on a northerly a spect, a particularly lovely panorama of sky, spire and tree, which never fails in impressing me with its atmosphere of s eclusion, and peace, and infinite simplicity; with that precious and dignified repose we are come to regard as "Sanctuary." But only when night has fallen and all sound of activity is hushed, does this appear—for by day, the seclusion is violated by unceasing and noisy traffic, and I am with the present, harsh, unromantic and unconciliatory ; when "Now dark and deep the night begins to fall, A shade immense, sunk in the quenching gloom,' the glory of the scene is made apparent, and as Byron says: In her starry shade Of dim and solitary loveliness, I learn the languagx of another world." Looking northward, on the left incline, t owards the Cathedral uprising her stately eminence to the bejewelled heaven, my eye views with delight the architectural beauties of the Bishop's galace, against which are outlined faintly the trees blending their Thus, of London in early The simile could not be bet- The potency of this vision acts f oliage with dim projection; and morning from Westminster tered; the moonlight creeps over upon the senses with a fervent as my bewitched gaze wanders Bridge, wrote Wordsworth, and desire to recreate the scene for t owards the other side, where his expression of the feeling in- the hollows and projections, the benefit of others; but always everywhere seeping with pelits merge the cloistered precincts of spired in llitn by a sleeping city, during my musings thus comes the Convent and the eastern fa- is applicable no more strongly lucid and uncanny glow the ob- the clatter of some early mover's jects its in path. The buildings cade of Saint Mary's, I become than when I stand, a solitary adtransport, c onscious of a happy similarity mirer, lost in reverie at this are bathed in silvery radiance, soft, and friendly; perfect con- "Shattering the stillness with b etween the objects of my re- poignantly-beautiful vista.. cordance obtains, and shadows rude sound." gard and photographs seen of tying in spectral. relief lend to, Despite entrancingly-gloomy castles in this interruption, my But it is when the moonlight the vicinity of the Rhine. The floods this little world that it be- rather than detract from, the thoughts here ever are pleasantt ones of dignity and quietness, comes revealed in all its empy- utmost serenity of the scene: ly inclined; there is the knowas exemplified by those "sum- rean splendour, recalling to mind Objects which by day seem com- ledge that I am at liberty to remits old in story," seem recreat- a further quotation from Byron: monplace, under the moon's ten- turn the next evening to my der influence become pictures- "Sanctuary"—I should like it to ed here with a like worthiness: Travail and tribulation are but a "As water does a sponge, so the que, bizarre even, in terms of be yours also—and, departing, moonlight beauty; and the daytime auster- bear with me this most pleasant dream; and I have no need in crying, "Hence, loathed Melan- Fills the void, hollow, universal ity of the environment is trans- c onviction that, however often I air." formed to warmest intimacy. return, the scene never shall fail choly !" for such sentiment beto excite my exaltation', never comes inappropriate. If medifail in impressing me. tation should occupy my mind, it reeks not of ill, nor pain,.but What Montgomery spoke of becomes that of beauty, of genhis "sweet landscape," is something of the atmosphere that tleness ,and soon of reverence. sense here: Somewhere, in the darklyThe Most Rev. Dr. Downey, Archshrouded trees, a wagtail sounds "So fresh, so pure, the woods. bishop of Liverpool, one of the most his "Hymn to the Night," and the sky, the air, prominent eaclesitasticall personalities my heart responds to that "dear It seem'd a place where angels of the International Eucharistic Conw ee tune" in full measure of gress, on his return to his Cathedral might repair, gratitude for the tiny being, who, from Australia, was welcomed by an A nd tune their harps beneath alone of his feathered family, assemblage of some 20,000 persons on those tranquil shades, shares this hallowed ground Sunday last. At an afternoon recepTo morning songs or moonlight With a lone soul; revelling, pertion arranged in his honour over 3,000 serenades." haps, as I, in contemplation of children attended. At St. George's .Soo n, another precious jewel infinite and sequestered Hall, in the evening (thousands were pathwill be added to this already ways, where all seems still, and unable to gain admission), His Grace lovely diadem. The southern to-morrow shall not told a large audience that Australia be. chapel, which has stood unoccuwas a land of prodigies, where men, Therein lies the charm of this pied since the consecration of women, and children, flora and fauna, sanctuary: All seems wrapped in the New Cathedral, will, on everything else, and were extraordinPeaceful slumber, and none aparily active, and vitality was the keyM arch 10, be solemnly dedicatpears to disturb its nocturnal note, and where nothing moved at a ed to the Maid of Lisieux, known tranquillity normal pace. The greatest prodigy, with movement all the world over as the fragDr. Downey declared, was man's stuWhich only could produce unpendous progress in civilising a vast rant "Little Flower." All that rest: Continent in a single century. In money can purchase and art this the Catholic Church and Catholics "Dear God! transform has been lavished on the very houses had kept pace. Catholic schools, deseem asleep, the Shrine of the young Carmelspite the absence of State aid, were And all that ite. among the most efficient. Completed, men .will know mighty heart is lying still." it for a sanctuary within a sanet nary.
" A Land of Prodigies"
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